African comic book artists

The open book comics fest forms part of the annual open book festival, which takes place every september in cape town. Keep your eye on these african comics 8 comments im starting a series here on theblerdgurl called africa rising and through it i am going to highlight several artists and comic book companies that are based in africa, artists that are telling stories about africa or. African comic book artists bring new superheroes to life. Aug 10, 2016 for my first post around the black comic creators you should know theme, i focused exclusively on artists. Journalist orrin evans was the first black reporter to cover general news at a mainstream newspaper. The list presents authors with the united states as their country of origin, although they may have published or now be resident in other countries. Then this is your home, we have been waiting for you. My hope is that this will be a good primer for your own first steps into the work of black comic artists. The first black writer at marvel and dc comes back to. Local comic book artists, moray rhoda, sean izaakse, warren louw, bill masuku and jason masters,are coming to comic con africa.

Mar 11, 2014 the 10 greatest comic book artists of all time by creative bloq staff computer arts 11 march 2014 from action blockbusters to the lego movie, the influence of comic artists on popular culture has never been greater. Oct 25, 2019 the caribbean cultural center african diaspora institute cccadi is pleased to present the exhibition the color of power. We start off with one of the first artists to have worked in the american comic book industry. The omnipresent influence of comic books is undeniable, and here we take a look at the famous artists from the medium who have shaped the surface of popular culture. Active in the 1940s and 1950s golden age of comic books, he is the first known african american artist to find success in the comic book industry. A hardcover collection of art and essays showcasing the best african american artists in todays vibrant comic book culture. The open book comics fest promotes south african comic artists, illustrators and cartoonists and includes a marketplace of over 40 tables, curated by moray rhoda. The son of clarence and ethel baker, matt and his brothers robert and john, moved with their parents to pittsburgh, pa. Clarence matthew baker was born on december 10, 1921 in forsyth county, north carolina.

Mar 19, 2020 35 top african american artists on the work that inspires them. Now, of course, this isnt every black comic book artist worth mentioningnot even close. Black comix is a series of art books curated by damian duffy and john jennings, brought to. His earliest work appeared in warrens vampirella magazine around 1969, and his work additionally popped up in eerie. African american characters created by african american. The author uses a great deal of jackies artwork throughout the book. African american writers and artists in the comic book genre then were few and while numbers have. In central african republic, comic book artists send lifesaving messages. The immense popularity of comics and graphic novels cannot be ignored. Baker was inducted into the will eisner comic book hall of fame in 2009. William henderson graham july 1, 1935 april 4, 1997 was an african american comics artist best known for his work on the marvel comics series luke cage, hero for hire and the jungle action feature black panther. African superheroes are emerging, as comic book creators from the continent seek to change the meaning of diversity, bringing relatable characters and rich storytelling traditions to the.

Comic stripbook creators of africanamerican heritage. Weary of worlds where black superheroes are an afterthought. For my first post around the black comic creators you should know theme, i focused exclusively on artists. May 16, 2016 african superheroes are emerging, as comic book creators from the continent seek to change the meaning of diversity, bringing relatable characters and rich storytelling traditions to the.

By creative bloq staff computer arts 11 march 2014. African american characters created by african american artists. Baker attended the cooper union school of engineering, art, and. As far back as 2006, a new york times article headline read african comics is now far beyond the funny pages. Clarence matthew baker was an american comic book artist who drew the costumed crime fighter phantom lady, among many other characters. Looking for expert comic book script writers orillustrators. Arguing for the validity of comics is already an uphill climb for artists.

But smaller, scrappier studios and collectives, like comexposed in zimbabwe, are also starting to make a mark. In the troubled central african republic, where nearly 40. Although comics have different formats, this list covers creators of comic books, graphic novels and comic strips, along with early innovators. John publications digestsized picture novel it rhymes with lust 1950. Matt baker is often considered the first known successful africanamerican artist in the comicbook industry clarence matthew baker was born on december 10, 1921 in forsyth county, north carolina. African artists reach youth with christian comics encompass. Feb 04, 2014 urbanmediatoday this black history month, the city of pittsburgh is celebrating the rich tradition of african american comic book artist from the pittsburgh area. The university recently acquired a rare copy of allnegro comics no. Five african american artists talked recently about making their way through the changing world of comic books.

Celebrating the contributions of african american comic. The first black writer at marvel and dc comes back to comics after an 11year absence. Tired of visions of the future where black people and africa dont seem to exist. Active in the 1940s and 1950s golden age of comic books, he is the first known africanamerican artist to find success in the comicbook industry.

Apr 21, 2018 in central african republic, comic book artists send lifesaving messages. These comics are made by african artists for africans, to better reflect the experiences, struggles and cultures of the many african countries. The tree of life trilogy ma book one a work in progress. But as i matured as a reader, i began to appreciate the effort it takes to. Our contributor found an unusual 1950s comic book at an auction, titled negro romance.

Like arvell jones, who showed up earlier in the countdown, keith pollard was one of a group of notable comic book artists who came out of the detroit area, following in the footsteps of their fellow artist, rick buckler, who broke in first as a star artist and then slowly but surely brought his friends along, as well. African american writers and artists in the comic book genre then were few and while numbers have increased, are still scant. Black superheroes breaking out, but who gets to tell their. For better or worse, just as book publishing is based in new york, so is the american comic book industry. Meet chicagos comic book writers and artists chicago. Goats and soda didier kassai was determined to be an artist. Some comic book artists write and illustrate the comic books themselves. This is because my first real connection to comics was with the art. As noted in his entry in the top writers countdown, george herriman produced krazy kat for three decades, one of the most acclaimed comic strips in the history of the medium. I remember walking down the streets of new york city and passing by a comic book store and. Comic con africa debuted in johannesburg in september 2018. Feb 05, 2017 we spoke with chriscross about breaking into the comics industry, and the unique challenges hes faced as a black comic book artist.

Five africanamerican artists talked recently about making their way through the changing world of comic books. Apr 17, 2017 for better or worse, just as book publishing is based in new york, so is the american comic book industry. African american comic book history detectives pbs. The 2018 event welcomed over 45 000 visitors, 212 exhibitors and almost 400 media. An exhibit showcasing africanamerican artists and characters in the comic book world will highlight some of the programs the parks department will showcase during this years black history month. Here are the top ten artists that you voted as your favorites of alltime. These numbers are unprecedented at an inaugural show. Grant, known for his digestsized comic book series, the love rangers, was born february 14, 1935. From action blockbusters to the lego movie, the influence of comic artists on popular culture has never been greater. Like arvell jones, who showed up earlier in the countdown, keith pollard was one of a group of notable comic book artists who came out of the.

Whereas cartoonists work is short form, either a single panel with a caption or several panels with some dialogue, the comic book artists work follows a narrative. The 10 greatest comic book artists of all time creative bloq. African comic book creators community is page where african illustrators, colorists, writers, graphic. Black history month exhibit salutes comic artists and other. After graduating from ridge technical high school in cambridge, massachusetts, he studied for a year in boston at the vesper george school of art and then joined the army in 1958 at the age of 23. African comic book creators community home facebook. Black history month exhibit salutes comic artists and. Hire comic book artist comic book artists comic book. Talking to africanamerican comic book artists, you often hear a common theme. I remember walking down the streets of new york city and passing by a comic book store and reggie hudlin had done an update to. Oddly, the original african american character that first hit the pages of dc comics was a man called the black bomber, a black hero who was actually a white racist and later described by cartoonist and self proclaimed comics historian don markstein as an insult to practically everybody with any point of view at all. The caribbean cultural center african diaspora institute cccadi is pleased to present the exhibition the color of power. Readers also get a very detailed biography about the woman who is known as the first african american woman cartoonist.

Working with a basic concept that seemed almost too simple krazy kat swoons over ignatz mouse, who attacks krazy kat all the. The business of black comic books black enterprise. He organized a workshop with comix35, where 2030 african artists received training in writing, illustrating and storyboarding. The black age of comics is a growing open innovative genre that celebrates creators, concepts and products in this amazing industry that are derived from the black, urban, african or indie experience. Comic con africa welcomes local comic book artists vs gaming. The exhibition will be on view at their home in the landmark firehouse located at 120 east 125th street, between. But many of comics bestknown black characters are the work of white writers and artists, from a time when the industry didnt offer many. Jan 21, 2019 clarence matthew baker was an american comic book artist who drew the costumed crime fighter phantom lady, among many other characters. Keep your eye on these african comics theblerdgurl. The following 82 pages are in this category, out of.

This was the golden age of comic books, when americans voraciously consumed stories about superheroes. But in light of the comics boom that has taken place over the past 10 years, the artists, writers and publishers that make up the vibrant african american independent comics community have remained relatively unknown until now. Nate suggested that greg start a christian comic made by african writers and illustrators, and the new comic, eclats, was born. Billy graham was an african american comic book artist, who has worked for publishers like marvel and warren. An exhibit showcasing african american artists and characters in the comic book world will highlight some of the programs the parks department will showcase during this years black history month. For the production of the comic strips and audio clips that are available on this. Black artists break the comic book mold lewiston sun. Urbanmediatoday this black history month, the city of pittsburgh is celebrating the rich tradition of african american comic book artist from the pittsburgh area. Keep your eye on these african comics 8 comments im starting a series here on theblerdgurl called africa rising and through it i am going to highlight several artists and comic book companies that are based in africa, artists that are telling stories about africa or feature african characters. Now, here is a list of five african comic artists you should know about right away. Zimbabwe is the perfectly positioned for a comic book boom. Jan 14, 2016 matt baker is often considered the first known successful african american artist in the comic book industry. But as i matured as a reader, i began to appreciate the effort it takes to successfully write an engaging comic book. I found this book to be interesting, fun, and welldone.

We spoke with chriscross about breaking into the comics industry, and the unique challenges hes faced as a black comic book artist. After breaking into the comic book industry in the early 1980s, cowan worked for a number of years on a variety of books for dc comics, while also enjoying a stint as the regular artist on power man and iron fist for marvel comics. Always artistically inclined, grant earned money as a child by drawing cartoons for birthday cards. Woods, the chatham native and ontherise artistwriter. At the moment, the large nigerian studio comicrepublic is leading the push for more african comics, created by africans, for an african audience. If youre looking for more, check out black comics month and the blerdgurl, two curators of black comics content across the web.

For the sake of space, i wont focus so much on historical artistswed be here all day. African tales from a high witchdoctor of the zulus, told in comics. But in light of the comics boom that has taken place over the past 10 years, the artists, writers and publishers that make up the vibrant african american independent comics community have remained relatively unknown. In central african republic, comic book artists send life. Clarence matthew baker december 10, 1921 august 11, 1959 was an american comic book artist and illustrator, best known for drawing early comics heroines such as the costumed crimefighter phantom lady, and romance comics. Africanamerican comic strip artists good black news. Im starting a series here on theblerdgurl called africa rising and through it i am going to highlight several artists and comic book companies that are based in. No other spiderman comic book version has ever had a game where.