The remarkable life of Bass Reeves, one of the most celebrated lawmen of the American West, is getting an anime-inspired reimagining in Netflix’s upcoming series Bass X Machina.
Premiering Nov. 3, the adult animated series blends the grit of the Old West with steampunk technology, supernatural forces and high-octane action. Created by LeSean Thomas, the mind behind projects such as Black Dynamite, the series puts a futuristic spin on the legacy of Reeves, who became the first Black deputy U.S. marshal commissioned west of the Mississippi River in 1875.
According to MovieWeb, the series reimagines Reeves’ story as a high-concept science-fiction Western, placing the legendary lawman in a world filled with powerful machines, mysterious magic-wielders and otherworldly dangers. The newly revealed trailer offers a glimpse of the anime-style action viewers can expect when the series arrives on Netflix.
Academy Award-nominated actor Brian Tyree Henry voices the titular character, while Grammy Award-nominated singer and actress Janelle Monáe also stars. The ensemble cast includes Tati Gabrielle, Cree Summer, Chaske Spencer, Currie Graham and Starletta DuPois.
Who Was Bass Reeves?
According to the National Park Service, Reeves was born into slavery in Texas before escaping during the Civil War. He later settled in Indian Territory, where he learned several Native American languages before beginning his career in federal law enforcement.
Standing approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall, Reeves became known for his exceptional marksmanship, resourcefulness and ability to disguise himself while tracking fugitives. His reputation grew as he pursued dangerous criminals across Indian Territory, a challenging and often violent landscape for federal officers.
Throughout his law enforcement career, Reeves reportedly arrested thousands of people accused of violating federal law. In a 1901 interview with a territorial newspaper, he said he had apprehended more than 3,000 men and women across Indian Territory, one of the most dangerous regions for federal lawmen during the American frontier era. Reeves also survived numerous dangerous encounters, earning a reputation as one of the most accomplished lawmen of the American West.
Now, more than a century later, his story is inspiring a new generation of viewers through Bass X Machina, which brings his legacy to life through animation, science fiction and a bold reimagining of the Western genre.
Will you be watching?
SEE MORE:
The Bass Reeves Gun Club And The Rise Of Black Gun Ownership
