Diversity

Nearly a decade ago, Cheryl Eaton created a site called The Ormes Society. It was named after Jackie Ormes, the first African American woman cartoonist and creator of Torchy Brown. The site was devoted to recording the work of African American women in comics and when the site started, Eaton came up with 13 names.

A lot of lucky comics folks are headed to Charlotte, NC for HeroesCon which kicks off tomorrow with its usual stellar guest list, informative...

Rosarium Publishing is a small Washington, DC-based indie publisher that's been putting out some fine graphic novels, including Keef Cross's DayBlack, Jennifer Crute’s Jennifer’s Journal amd Micheline Hess’s Malice in Ovenland. As discussed in this Publishers Weekly profile last year, its very much focused on projects by and about POC creators. What I didn't know until I read this Indiegogo campaign is that Rosarium is funded mostly via publisher Bill Campbell's day job and run as print on demand basis. That's real passion and commitment.

I don't have a lot of time today (or any day) so this is going to be quick and dirty. But a piece by Adam...

https://twitter.com/vj44/status/710234170451034113 Since it's been a shitty week for representation in comics and in American society, this photo of Marvel's Sana Amanat, Director of Content & Character Development,...

Mobile comics platform LINE Webtoon is huge in Korea and getting bigger here, and they are no slouches in the diversity department. According to a release, 42% of LINE WEbstoon's creators are female, 48% of its comics feature female leads, and 50% of its over 6 million daily readers are women. Impressive, if not surprising statistics. And they'll discuss them more at a “Women in Digital Comics” panel to be held at SXSW on Friday, March 18^th. Participants include moderator Tom Akel, LINE Webtoon's director of content, and 2 Broke Girls’ star Beth Behrs (Dents), digital star Michelle Phan (Helios : Femina), LINE Webtoon creators Kaitlyn Narvaza (Where Tangents Meet, Siren’s Lament) and Susanna Nousiainen (ShootAround), and one of the winners of LINE Webtoon’s recent Superhero Comics Contest, Sandra Diaz (Supersonic Girl).

Continuing our spotlight on #BlackComicsMonth, by arrangement with Vixen, catching up with a ton of creators and comics. Check out some talented people you...

When Heidi offered her forum to me to discuss issues of diversity, I was hesitant. I admire activism, but I’m a writer and my passion is talking storytelling and character. The opportunity made me feel unsafe, like somehow I would put storytelling in danger by raising the issue of diversity within it. I realized, during a long play session of FALLOUT 4 (my chosen tool for meditation), that my safety wasn’t at stake. I was protecting my comfort. Diversity is an uncomfortable conversation, especially on the internet. Writing popular fiction is kin to walking barefoot on hot coals. If you ignore the heat, you can make it to the other side. The moment you think about what’s underneath you, the flame takes you forever.

The timing was fortuitous with Angoulême-gate, but Comix Creatrix: 100 Women Making Comics an art show co-curated by Olivia Ahmad and Paul Gravett ...

And they are Andre The Giant: Closer to Heaven by Brandon Easton and Denis Medri (IDW Publishing) Fresh Romance, edited by Janelle Asselin (Rosy Press) Moon Girl...

This week Archie dropped a preview of Jughead #4 by Chip Zdarsky and Erica Henderson that casually revealed that the famed crowned cap wearer is...

Everyone is teaming up for DC Super Hero Girls, the multi-company, multi-platform push for girls' versions of DC's lady characters. Target will have an exclusive line of apparel and toys; Boomerang will air a 44-minute special and the digital shorts. The line also claims some firsts: "the first-ever 6-inch action figure designed for girls; first 12-inch collection of action dolls featuring strong, athletic bodies that stand on their own in heroic poses; and first-ever action role-play toys for girls." Toys that stand on their own -- kinda a nice metaphor there.