Ariell R. Johnson: “Sometimes we want to be the hero, too.”
Based on the astounding social media attention to my last post about Ariell R. Johnson and her Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse in Philadelphia, it seems you want more Ariell. So I am very happy to oblige with the above video of Johnson talking at the Ignite Philly event last fall. Johnson talks about her own life as a nerd, who was the black Thundercat and her discovery of Storm, the first black superheroine she encountered: "When I found out about Storm I gripped on tight to her and never let her go."
Philadelphia woman opens comics shop that focuses on diversity and coffee
I can't think of a better story to end this year with than that of Ariell R. Johnson, reportedly the East coasts first black...
Why are there so few black voices in editorial cartooning?
And by few I mean a handful. Michael Cavna reports on this in a powerful piece called Why are there no staff black cartoonists at a time when we need them most? He spotlights a few of the black cartoonist who have a voice, including Keith Knight, Darrin Bell, and, Congressman John Lewism who thought not actually a cartoonist has certainly become a voice in comics. But the numbers are still awful:
Virginia Library Association launches Graphic Novel Diversity Awards
If there was a tidal wave that swept over the comics world in 2015 it was diversity. Great strides were made, though more needs to be done. And here here's an award to recognize come of what's going on, under the auspices of the Virginia Library Association. Publishers take note; more info here.
The McDuffie Award for Diversity In Comics submissions are open until Dec. 31
The McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics was established last year to recognize comics work that promotes the spirit of diversity. (I was honored...
Guest Column: I’ve had it with The Walking Dead over how it portrays Black...
by Thaddeus Howze
My relationship with this show is over. I wanted to love it, but it kept telling me by virtue of its depiction...
NYCC and SDCC ’15: Portraying Mental Health in Comics
Mental illness has been a trope in comics-related properties ranging from Peanuts to Gotham, but do new sensitivities to mental health issues mean that...
Harassment and what you can do about it, NYCC edition
Last week, the cartoonist Julia Wertz wrote about the street and online harassment she's received in recent years, and the disparate response to it:
A...
DC Superhero Girls animation debuts, creator revealed
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isSlim=1
Perfect timing!
THE DC SUPER HERO GIRLS UNIVERSE IS LIVE!
"Welcome to Super Hero High" the very first DC Super Hero Girls animated short, has just been launched...
French women cartoonists launch a website “against comics sexism”
A new French language website called BD Egalite (more or less "comics equality") has launched to address rampant sexism in the French comics market....
You need to read some comics by and about indigenous peoples
In yesterday's discussion of Marvel's new Red Wolf comic and comics journalism, I had talked a lot about other comics by and about indigenous people but cut it from an already lengthy piece. However, in the discussion of whether Red Wolf needs to be supported just because it promotes diversity, I suggested some other options -- please list more in the comments!
The Money Thing Part 2: New writer on Red Wolf is perfect storm of...
When is a story not a story? When is the story about a story actually the story? Well strap yourselves in because you're about to find out!
