20 Black Comic Book Creators on the Rise, Part One Read More: 20 Black Comic Book Creators on the R

[loyola llothta]

20 Black Comic Book Creators on the Rise, Part One

Black comic book characters are enjoying a renaissance right now on both the page and screen, whehter it’s Sam Wilson as Captain America, Bumblebee front-and-center in DC Super Hero Girls, Vixen guest-starring on Arrow, or Black Panther making his big-screen debut in Captain America: Civil War this summer and getting a solo series from Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze.

But many of comics’ best-known black characters are the work of white writers and artists, from a time when the industry didn’t offer many opportunities for black writers and artists. The next generation of black heroes will come from black creators who can tell their own stories and offer up their own unique creations. From traditional superheroes with a twist, to everyday people trying to survive in an apocalyptic sci-fi world, these black comic book creators are doing it all. Check out part one of our list below:



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1
Erika Alexander

‘90s sitcom fans may know Erika Alexander as Maxine Shaw from Living Single or Pam Tucker from The Cosby Show, but the actress is also a comic book writer. With her series Concrete Park, she builds a dystopian world around exiled Earthlings left to defend themselves against each other. With the help of artist Tony Puryear, the visuals are just as vivid as the story. In honor of Black History Month, an e-book of the first issue is available for free. Snag yours here.



2
Mildred Louis

Who doesn’t love a magical girl series? While Sailor Moon focused on middle and high school girls, Mildred Louis is taking readers to the wonderful world of college in her webcomic Agents of the Realm. It follows five girls who not only have to worry about grades, but defending the world as well. We interviewed Louis on her series and ongoing Kickstarter campaign. Check it out here.



3
Paul Louise-Julie

Paul Louise-Julie crafted a world full of adventure with his series, The Pack. As a writer and artist for the comic, Louise-Julie provides detailed images alongside intriguing dialogue with the series about werewolves. His popular forthcoming project, Yohance, has also been attracting a lot of buzz. ComicsAlliance interviewed Louise-Julie on his series as well. Read the interview here and get a first look atYohance here.



4
Greg Burnham

Greg Burnham is one half a duo for an upcoming series, Tuskegee Heirs. With several children’s books under his belt like Broken Glass and Grandpa’s Shoes, Burnham will providee the script for the upcoming series inspired by the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. ComicsAlliance interviewed the creators as well, who just wrapped up their Kickstarter campaign that raised over seven times their goal with $74,000. With that amount, they will be able to move forward with creating an animated pilot as well. Needless to say, we’re excited.


5
Marcus Williams

As the other half of the aforementioned Tuskegee Heirs duo, Marcus Williams’ art style immediately draws in viewers, and we’re thrilled to see him realize his vision of teenagers fighting to save the world inside giant robots! In an interview with ComicsAlliance, Williams said that he’s interested in allowing young black children to “see themselves in powerful character roles.” Williams’ work can also be seen in the comic series Hero Cats, Super Natural, and D.M.C.. Check out the interview here.

 

[loyola llothta]

6
Anthony Piper

Imagine the Justice League, but triller. Anthony Piper’s fresh series, Trill League, follows Trill Robin as it parodies “mainstream staple characters” with an added twist. It also “combines superheroes, anime and hip-hop culture,” according to Piper. Not only is the concept intriguing, it is one of the few times that reimagining an existing character feels innovative. Keep up with the series and snag a copy of the first issue here.


7
Juliana “Jewels” Smith

“What’s a superhero to a revolutionary?” reads the tagline for Juliana “Jewels” Smith’s series, Hafrocentric. The comic creator’s project follows “self proclaimed Black feminist” Naima Pepper as she navigates through life and rants about gentrification. Alongside Ronald Nelson (illustrator) and Mike Hampton (colorist/letterer), Smith’s series is both realistic and authentic. Check out a preview of the first three volumes here.


8
Robert Garrett

Robert Garrett has been putting in work with his series Ajala for a few years. Along with N. Steven Harris, Garrett created the the comic which follows Ajala Storm, a teenager who fights crime in Harlem. The ongoing series won a Glyph Comics Award for Best Female Character. Keep up with it here.

9
David Pinckney

Fight Like a Girl is badass. The series created by David Pinckney follows a young black women by the name of Amarosa. The heroine volunteers to risk her life by fighting through nine trials of tribulation in order to gain a wish. For Amarosa, she hopes to be able to save her terminally ill brother. With Fight Like a Girl, Pinckney creates a classic story with a lot of heart. Grab Volume 1 of the series here.


10
Shauna J. Grant

Princess Love Pon is just as adorable story as it looks. Created by Shauna J. Grant, the webcomic follows Lia Sagamore who gets turned into a magical warrior after meeting an enchanted bunny. But along with defending the world, Sagamore has to navigate through her senior year of high school, and possibly a first kiss. Needless to say, Grant creates an exciting journey for readers of all ages to swoon over. The series is also available to read for free here.

 

[Young Bishop]

Erika Alexander I always had a crush on her as a kid. I'm have to check out her work.

 

[loyola llothta]

11

Myisha Haynes
What happens when three roommates find magical weapons that weren’t meant for them? They become substitute superheroes — hence the name. In The Substitutes, Myisha Haynes creates a hilarious and engaging world that’s building up for a full-on adventure. Catch up to the ongoing series here as it’s updated bi-weekly.

12

Nilah Magruder

Nilah Magruder draws “cute animals and zombies” according to her website. But the comic creator is also making an impact with her series M.F.K., which follows Abbie, a “social recluse,” who just wants to complete a simple journey to scatter her mother’s ashes. But nothing is ever easy for Abbie. With a Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity, under her belt Magruder is definitely an artist to be on the lookout for. Catch up with M.F.K. here.

13

Stephane Metayer

There’s no doubt that Nas’ debut album, Illmatic is influential and Stephane Metayer’s series is a testament to that. Metayer's fresh manga series Tephlon Funk debuted last year after a successful Kickstarter campaign. Set in Queensbridge, the series takes its four main characters on an adventure inspired by Illmatic. The first issue is available for free here. Issue two was just released this week and is available for purchase here.

14

Micheline Hess

Micheline Hess has established her name as a colorist at the legendary Milestone Media, but now the comic creator is releasing her own series, Malice in Ovenland. It follows a tenacious young girl, Lilly Brown, who while trying to finish her chores gets pulled into another world through her oven. In the series, Hess creates a fun and interesting ride for the young character and readers. Snag the first issue here.


15

Robert Jeffrey II

At first glance, Robert Jeffrey II’s Route 3 may seem like a classic coming-of-age superhero comic, but the comic creator takes it a step further. The series follows Georgia teen Sean Anderson, who gains a number of powers including telekinesis, but finds himself targeted by the government. There’s also a love story for the romantically inclined. Jeffrey’s second issue won the 2014 Glyph Award for best cover. Snag the first three issues here.

 

[BXKingPin82]

So much dope shyt
I would kill to be able to draw like that
That Tuskegee shyt fly as hell

 

[loyola llothta]

16

Chuck Collins
Chuck Collins struck gold when he took his real life experience as a bouncer and turned it into a comic series. Bounce is funny and real with a lot of heart. Not to mention, Collins makes sure to throw in a lot of sci-fi and movie references as his two main characters geek out in front of New York’s not-so-finest patrons. Keep up with the series here.


17

Jamal Campbell


The Immortal Nadia Greene is dope — and we have Jamal Campbell to thank for bringing it to fruition. The vibrant series follows Nadia Greene as she successfully continues to cheat death. Campbell’s series is a breezy and enjoyable read with fierce and lovable characters to boot. No wonder it was nominated for Best New Webcomic in ComicsAlliance’s Best of 2015 Awards. The Immortal Nadia Greene is also available to read for free. Catch up to the series here.



18

Amandla Stenberg
Many may know Amandla Stenberg as the actress who played Rue in The Hunger Games, but the young star also created and co-writes a comic series, Niobe. The series follows an orphaned wild elf teenager on a quest to find her purpose in life — while also battling her demons. With illustrator Ashley A. Woods and co-writer Sebastian A. Jones, Stenberg creates a series full of wonder. The first issue dropped last November and issue two is due on March 2. Get a copy of the first issue here.


19

Sharean Morishyta
If you’re having fantasies about falling into a South Korean drama, Sharean Morishyta’s Love! Love! Fighting!, about an expat living in South Korea, is definitely the series to get lost in. And with love in the title (twice!), it’s safe to bet that there’s a story to swoon over. Morishyta also hits a few serious notes in another one of her series, Rescue Me, which follows a woman battling depression in a seemingly inescapable situation. Check out the two series here.



20

Loyiso Mkize
Loyiso Mkize’s Kwezi has been gaining a lot of traction lately and for a good reason. The fresh series created by the South African artist follows the title character who discovers that he has superpowers and must save the world from extinction. Mkize, who is the creator and illustrator for Kwezi, definitely developed a fun read with his series. Read the first issue here and get updates on the next issue here.

 

[BlackMajik]

 

[Neuromancer]

I should put my comics on here

 

[Waldo Geraldo Faldo]

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