Creating comics for a Black audience? Think again

[Khalil's_Black_Excellence]

This one is easy, you guys haven't figured this out by now?

Well the biggest issue is the poor art, straight up nikkas be looking constipated it's gross. Black made comics tend to be out of style for the actual black demographic, still using the big ugly angry bald black man with military whatever shyt was boring the 1st time when white people spammed it, why you choose to follow behind them? I don't know but dead horse is dead, try something new just try

The black characters often look stupid/basic as hell, and with natural black hair being popular again, it's funny how most of the black characters don't have natural hair, and no not the mohawk that's a native american hairstyle. Also they put their best work and art for black females who don't even read comic books like that, females prefer drama/stories and something more tame or casual in contrast to Males who prefer more action but the story takes a hit so yeah females like walls of text.

The lack of creativity is the big issue, and with these black artist being inspired by big bald strong slow ugly old black man # 942828786y439821 these nikkas never had any creativity to begin with.

Actually a big issue is the lack of respect for younger audiences and a lack of responsibility overall, I don't think black people understand that batman started out rated G

than as audiences grew older it went up to PG 13 than finally rated R.

As an example the main reason static was popular was because Virgil was normal and didn't bytch about racism while looking like a dumbass thug with stupid hair. But Virgil wasn't stupid and that what made him interesting. Audiences can relate to Virgil that's why he was popular compared to black lightning or storm.

True. I was going to say that some of the black art shown in the thumbnail of that youtube vid in the opening post looks derivative as fukk. Makes it look like they're trying too hard to make them look black, rather than just so happening to being black.

 

[Dwolf]

I'm a fairly decent artist, and I was thinking of making comics. But what I wanted to do was make an open source lore that other black writers can use for their stories sort of like the SCP foundation, and incorporate that with a choose your own adventure style of writing where people from the forum can participate with your own spin on things too of course. That way you don't have to "guess" what your viewers want, they are already participating so it's inherently a part of the story. I hope that doesn't sound too strange! I was thinking maybe I could post it here or somewhere else, but I'm not sure if anyone would be interested.

 

[flo]

True. I was going to say that some of the black art show in the thumbnail of that youtube vid in the opening post looks derivative as fukk. Makes it look like they're trying too hard to make them look black, rather than just so happening to being black.

What does this mean?

 

[Khalil's_Black_Excellence]

What does this mean?

Basically just not trying so hard to fit the black stereotype. Being black is a lot more broad than any stereotypical category tries to pigeonhole us into being. As such, some would be portrayals and art designs try to just veer right into those tropes, even when done by black creators, in the essence of trying to be black. It either becomes a farce or looks overdone, typical and/or silly.

 

[Noni]

I would like to read more about characters who are openly nerdy, alternative, and black-- with a narrative that's unapologetic about it. However, I don't want them "bougie"/ "goofy" alternative if you know what I mean. But not hard either. Someone I can relate to. I think it can be hard sometimes to make the perfect balance.

 

[2 Up 2 Down]

I would like to read more about characters who are openly nerdy, alternative, and black-- with a narrative that's unapologetic about it. However, I don't want them "bougie"/ "goofy" alternative if you know what I mean. But not hard either. Someone I can relate to. I think it can be hard sometimes to make the perfect balance.

Milestone Comics had that with Static

It's a shame all of Milestone comics have not been released in trade yet

 

[Noni]

Milestone Comics had that with Static

It's a shame all of Milestone comics has not been released in trade yet

Yeah I liked Static. Static reminded me of a nerdy fresh prince lol. For all of the black comic book movies they're trying to push, it seems weird they're not giving him one.

Post it here

I'm thinking I'll make a topic for it here when I'm ready. But my post count's too low (I really have no idea how the system works here).

 

[Red Shield]

What does this mean?

Hoodies, mean muggin, overly buff, chains, bald head, electrical powers, etc

 

[lutha]

Article is 100% truth.

The reality is that, exceptions aside, a lot of black comic book fans are just as conservative as their non-black counterparts. If said characters aren't from the Big 2, they don't give a fukk.

And even being a Big 2 character doesn't guarantee anything either. If said character isn't affiliated with a major franchise, a lot of those same fans won't give a fukk either.

Only two black solo books in recent memory (possibly ever, in fact. Can't say for sure) have sold well: Black Panther (a franchise on the rise) and Miles Morales (Spidey affiliate). The rest are either underwhelming in the long term (Sam Wilson, Power Man & Iron Fist, War Machine) or straight up tanked (Nighthawk, Storm, Moon Girl, etc).

Also, many black comic book fans claim they want diversity, but let's be 100: they don't really care about it like that. They just want a seat in the cool kids (popular characters) table. If said character doesn't have a "name" or potential to be popular, they don't care. Resulting in them caring more about very few Big 2 characters. The indie folks get mentally thrown to the bushes from the jump.

There's nothing fundamentally wrong with having that mindset, btw. I just wish they were honest about it.

i disagree with the bold....i dont think it has anything to do with being conservative nor having the character be from the big 2....it has more to do with what you are exposed to, deciding from that what you like, and growing up with it....that's it...things you grow up with are gonna stick with you more and you're gonna be more fond for, rather than getting introduced to something new when you're an adult...which is the view point you're looking at this from....

as for diversity, i disagree with your statement....people do want diversity, but comic book creators dont seem to know what that means....to add diversity all they have to do is write the non-white characters the same as their white counterparts for the most part, and just make them non-white and/or male....that's it....cause it's the qualities of the characters that draw people to them, yet they tend to fukk up those qualities with non-white characters......they tend to think it means taking stereotypes, generalizations, whatever the hot topic is in society, etc. and putting them all in a character....which leads to them fukking up the so-called diverse characters, and no one liking them....then they use that bullshyt excuse 'well, we tried, but no one liked the gay, single parent, conservative, foster child upbringing, (insert whatever else hot button issues) black character we created, so we're going back to pushing our simple white character'.....

 

[TryObsidian?]

Black comic book industry pitching thugs to nerds and people who read books will always be hilarious self sabotage to me

Let me not say industry, black comic book writers and artists as well.

 

[lutha]

as for the article: i agree with his overall premise....people need to remember the kids....they need to try to make new characters that kids enjoy instead of trying to go for adults with them....

also, adults need to let kids pick and choose what they like/enjoy, instead of trying to make them like shyt you liked as a kid...

oh yea: they really need to stop with that 'black nerd' label bullshyt....

 

[richaveli83]

Interesting topic.

 

[O.Red]

Black comic book industry pitching thugs to nerds and people who read books will always be hilarious self sabotage to me

Let me not say industry, black comic book writers and artists as well.

???

 

[PlayerNinety_Nine]

I would like to read more about characters who are openly nerdy, alternative, and black-- with a narrative that's unapologetic about it. However, I don't want them "bougie"/ "goofy" alternative if you know what I mean. But not hard either. Someone I can relate to. I think it can be hard sometimes to make the perfect balance.

I'm very much into trying to find that balance in what I'm writing.

 

[jackson35]

the problem here is how one perceive black culture overall. you would have to create a black character that would resonate with us in our soul. he would have to make huey newton look like a sissy. he would have to drop science that would make dr ben fall back. this brother fighting skill would have to make all martial artist upgrade themselves.right now, we are experimental characters with no roots or foundation with black people or culture