During the 1960's, the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was loosely labeled the "children of Malcolm X." And when 'The Boondocks' comic strip became nationally syndicated in 1999, the same title could have been used to describe the strips self-styled revolutionary 5th grader, Huey Freeman. Now Huey has a televised soapbox, along with his dysfunctional, but well-meaning family and friends. With the launch of his animated series on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on last fall, 'Boondocks' creator Aaron McGruder has expanded on his artistic vision, but insists comedy is still his top priority. "I'm less concerned about it having a 'truth-telling' [aspect] than it being funny", says McGruder. "But if people see this as satire, then it's a plus."

The animated version of the cartoon features the voices of Regina King (who plays both Huey and his 8 year-old, wannabe gangsta rapper brother Riley) and John Witherspoon (as Grandad), yet using King's voice for for Huey was not part of the plan. "When we casted for the pilot, Regina had come in to read for Riley and didn't want to read for Huey," McGruder recalled. "Yet, we never ended up finding a Huey we were happy with, and Regina ended up being the right person for it."

The series includes episodes with titles like 'The Story of Gangstalicious' and the 'Trial of R. Kelly.' It's set in the suburban locale of Woodcrest, IL, where the Freemans. Originally, there were episodes that, in McGruder's typically irreverent style, included jokes about late civil rights matriarch Rosa Parks. At McGruder's request those jokes have been cut, because of Parks' death. Yet, even with such an understandably accomodating move, 'The Boondocks' will not be short on humor that is sure to crack up Americans on both sides of the racial and social fence.

Black Voices asked Aaron McGruder for his top 5 favorite animated series of all-time. They are listed below and there are some surprises. Check them out.

1. 'The Simpsons'
2. 'Speed Racer' (the definitive 60s anime series)
3. 'Samurai Champlo' (hip-hop samurai series)
4. 'Kuli Kuli' (contemporary anime series)
5. 'Beavis and Butthead'