Back in the days of “I am Curious Black,” a 1970 Lois Lane story about Lois using a machine to become a black woman; she does so to see what it was like to be black.
Back then the good folks at DC did not think twice about a black artist or writer. Now, if a story with a black character comes down the pipe, the net is in an uproar if black creators are not involved.
Me? I say the white boys have at it. A good story, like a good character, is colorblind. Trying or even wanting to ban white people from writing black characters is as horribly short sided, stupid, and as prejudiced as banning Muslims from America.
A white writer telling a story featuring a black character is one thing. Telling a story where they try and define the black experience on some level is quite another.
Back then the good folks at DC did not think twice about a black artist or writer. Now, if a story with a black character comes down the pipe, the net is in an uproar if black creators are not involved.
Me? I say the white boys have at it. A good story, like a good character, is colorblind. Trying or even wanting to ban white people from writing black characters is as horribly short sided, stupid, and as prejudiced as banning Muslims from America.
A white writer telling a story featuring a black character is one thing. Telling a story where they try and define the black experience on some level is quite another.
- 5/24/2016
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
It’s Black History Month!
Here’s a list of some of what’s happening in comics to celebrate the annual spotlight on Black America!
Let’s see now…
Over at the fantastic website Comic Book Resources (Cbr) my friend and Milestone Media alumni Joe Illidge is doing a wonderful series of articles called The Color Barrier. I just finished a three part series over at Bleeding Cool titled Code Black.
Milestones: African Americans in Comics, Pop Culture & Beyond, the major exhibit currently showing at the Geppi Entertainment Museum, has Black History month programs planned although I’m not sure why.
The exhibit itself is history all year round so I fail to see why special programs are needed for an already special exhibition. I can’t see it but by No means does that mean Black History month should not be recognized as such at the gallery. I don...
Here’s a list of some of what’s happening in comics to celebrate the annual spotlight on Black America!
Let’s see now…
Over at the fantastic website Comic Book Resources (Cbr) my friend and Milestone Media alumni Joe Illidge is doing a wonderful series of articles called The Color Barrier. I just finished a three part series over at Bleeding Cool titled Code Black.
Milestones: African Americans in Comics, Pop Culture & Beyond, the major exhibit currently showing at the Geppi Entertainment Museum, has Black History month programs planned although I’m not sure why.
The exhibit itself is history all year round so I fail to see why special programs are needed for an already special exhibition. I can’t see it but by No means does that mean Black History month should not be recognized as such at the gallery. I don...
- 2/11/2014
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
Next week, Milestones: African Americans in Comics, Pop Culture and Beyond opens at the Geppi Entertainment Museum. The show features unbelievable art from amazing artists and have been in the works for almost two years.
I was fortunate enough to be asked to curate a show on African American pop art by Missy Geppi, the president of the museum. I was and still am humbled to be chosen for such an honor. I immediately reached out to Tatiana El-Khouri and John Jennings. Tatiana as co-curator John as adviser. I’ve known both Tatiana and John since the start of their careers. I was a mentor to Tatiana and I’ve advised John over the years and now he’s advising me.
Every now and then Tatiana or John will, out of nowhere, thank me for something or other I’ve frankly forgotten about. It’s always nice to hear and...
I was fortunate enough to be asked to curate a show on African American pop art by Missy Geppi, the president of the museum. I was and still am humbled to be chosen for such an honor. I immediately reached out to Tatiana El-Khouri and John Jennings. Tatiana as co-curator John as adviser. I’ve known both Tatiana and John since the start of their careers. I was a mentor to Tatiana and I’ve advised John over the years and now he’s advising me.
Every now and then Tatiana or John will, out of nowhere, thank me for something or other I’ve frankly forgotten about. It’s always nice to hear and...
- 12/3/2013
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
Nobody talks more smack about black people than other black people.
There are about a zillion different ways black people describe another black person screwing up. Many of these definitions are stereotypes that would get a non-black person pimp slapped if spoken.
Not being black and telling someone who is that their watch is set to C.P. time or that Obama is the H.N.I.C will surly produce at least a “you looking to get your ass kicked” stare but more than likely a pimp or a bitch slap.
No.
No, I’m not going to tell you what C.P. time is nor what H.N.I.C means or the difference between a pimp and a bitch slap. The “you looking to get your ass kicked” stare is unmistakable, so much so, Helen Keller would get it.
If you don’t know these things, you’re clearly not black.
There are about a zillion different ways black people describe another black person screwing up. Many of these definitions are stereotypes that would get a non-black person pimp slapped if spoken.
Not being black and telling someone who is that their watch is set to C.P. time or that Obama is the H.N.I.C will surly produce at least a “you looking to get your ass kicked” stare but more than likely a pimp or a bitch slap.
No.
No, I’m not going to tell you what C.P. time is nor what H.N.I.C means or the difference between a pimp and a bitch slap. The “you looking to get your ass kicked” stare is unmistakable, so much so, Helen Keller would get it.
If you don’t know these things, you’re clearly not black.
- 11/12/2013
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
So here’s the deal.
Over a year ago Missy Geppi and the Geppi Entertainment Museum in Baltimore honored me by asking me to curate a show showcasing African American pop culture in comics and related media.
The show, Milestones: African Americans in Comics, Pop Culture and Beyond, has been pushed back and now opens December 6th The response from artists, filmmakers and designers have been fantastic. That’s one of the reasons the show has been pushed back.
The other reason?
Trust me, you wouldn’t believe it if I told you. That said, I’m blown away by some of the work I’ve seen but I’m not satisfied.
Let me be crystal clear, I’ve seen wonderful work from established artists and great work from up and coming artists but this show, my show has to feature something more.
Again, let me be even clearer, if...
Over a year ago Missy Geppi and the Geppi Entertainment Museum in Baltimore honored me by asking me to curate a show showcasing African American pop culture in comics and related media.
The show, Milestones: African Americans in Comics, Pop Culture and Beyond, has been pushed back and now opens December 6th The response from artists, filmmakers and designers have been fantastic. That’s one of the reasons the show has been pushed back.
The other reason?
Trust me, you wouldn’t believe it if I told you. That said, I’m blown away by some of the work I’ve seen but I’m not satisfied.
Let me be crystal clear, I’ve seen wonderful work from established artists and great work from up and coming artists but this show, my show has to feature something more.
Again, let me be even clearer, if...
- 9/17/2013
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
Catching up on my emails and saw this announcement (via press release) sent to me a few days ago. In short, publisher Abrams ComicArts has announced that the company will publish a graphic novel based on Octavia E. Butler’s classic novel Kindred. Abrams acquired rights to the novel from Writers House literary agent Merrilee Heifetz, and will be edited by Carol Burrell under the direction of Abrams ComicArts editorial director Charles Kochman. The graphic novel will be adapted by Damian Duffy and illustrated by John Jennings, with a fall 2014 publish date planned under the Abrams ComicArts imprint. I should note that, as maybe one of Butler's most...
- 5/7/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
A few days ago I received an email from my friend John Jennings. John is a fantastic artist and teacher and I’ve known him for a lot of years.
I was not happy with what John had to say and let him know it. What John wrote me was a pretty detailed accounting of why some in the black comic arts community were not happy with the following line from the gallery show I’m curating for the Geppi Entertainment Museum called Milestones: African Americans in Comics. Pop Culture and Beyond.
“Up until now there has been no serious attempt to showcase African-Americans in the world of comic books, and the impact of their creative excellence, which has been a mainstay of the industry for as long as comics have been an American art form.”
Man, I went (as we say in the hood) Negro when I read that...
I was not happy with what John had to say and let him know it. What John wrote me was a pretty detailed accounting of why some in the black comic arts community were not happy with the following line from the gallery show I’m curating for the Geppi Entertainment Museum called Milestones: African Americans in Comics. Pop Culture and Beyond.
“Up until now there has been no serious attempt to showcase African-Americans in the world of comic books, and the impact of their creative excellence, which has been a mainstay of the industry for as long as comics have been an American art form.”
Man, I went (as we say in the hood) Negro when I read that...
- 1/1/2013
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
Starting in February 2013 I will have the honor of curating what I hope will be a wonderful exhibit of African American comic art and related pop culture. The show will run for a year at the Geppi Entertainment Museum and the Reginald Lewis African American Museum. I’m at a lost for words for just how proud and overwhelmed I am for being asked.
Helping me with the show will be many people and chief upon them will be Tatiana El-Khouri, John Jennings and the wonderful Missy Geppi. I wrote some thoughts down in advance of the show to try and give myself a reason and a scope from which to work from. What follows in my next series of ComicMix articles are those thoughts, reasons and insight as to why I think this is important, with the occasional rant so you don’t forget my boyish charm…
In 1956 the...
Helping me with the show will be many people and chief upon them will be Tatiana El-Khouri, John Jennings and the wonderful Missy Geppi. I wrote some thoughts down in advance of the show to try and give myself a reason and a scope from which to work from. What follows in my next series of ComicMix articles are those thoughts, reasons and insight as to why I think this is important, with the occasional rant so you don’t forget my boyish charm…
In 1956 the...
- 8/15/2012
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
Sunday July 15th is the last day of Comic-Con 2012, and most of us will be completely worn out looking like Spider-Man in the image above. Chances are he's asleep under that mask. Sunday has always been a cool down day for us, we kind of just try to relax a little bit more and enjoy it. That doesn't mean their isn't anything to see or do though!
We've got a Fringe screening and Q&A, Doctor Who, Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20th Anniversary, Sons of Anarchy, the annual Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical screening, and more! I've always wanted to go the Buffy musical sing-a-long, but am usually trying to leave San Diego before it starts.
Just a little reminder, we will be having our annual GeekTyrant meet up this year to meet our readers, which is something we always enjoy doing! That will take place on Wednesday night, and...
We've got a Fringe screening and Q&A, Doctor Who, Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20th Anniversary, Sons of Anarchy, the annual Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical screening, and more! I've always wanted to go the Buffy musical sing-a-long, but am usually trying to leave San Diego before it starts.
Just a little reminder, we will be having our annual GeekTyrant meet up this year to meet our readers, which is something we always enjoy doing! That will take place on Wednesday night, and...
- 7/1/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
The organizers of San Diego Comic-Con have released the official schedule of events for Sunday, July 15 which you can now view below.
San Diego Comic-Con – Sunday, July 15
10:00-11:00 Comic-Con How-to: Publishing Industry: From Manuscript to Industry — So you have the desire to write a book and get it published, but what does that really mean? Agents, editors, publishers, reviewers, self-publishing, traditional publishing, print on demand, ebooks, foreign language-the list goes on. What does it mean to “write for profit,” and what are the pitfalls to watch out for? Award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake gives you some insights into the real world that is the Publishing Industry. Warning: this seminar is not for the weak of spirit. Room 2
10:00-11:00 Spotlight on Jason Shiga — Comic-Con special guest Jason Shiga is best known for his interactive comics, including Meanwhile and Knock Knock. He will present a career retrospective detailing...
San Diego Comic-Con – Sunday, July 15
10:00-11:00 Comic-Con How-to: Publishing Industry: From Manuscript to Industry — So you have the desire to write a book and get it published, but what does that really mean? Agents, editors, publishers, reviewers, self-publishing, traditional publishing, print on demand, ebooks, foreign language-the list goes on. What does it mean to “write for profit,” and what are the pitfalls to watch out for? Award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake gives you some insights into the real world that is the Publishing Industry. Warning: this seminar is not for the weak of spirit. Room 2
10:00-11:00 Spotlight on Jason Shiga — Comic-Con special guest Jason Shiga is best known for his interactive comics, including Meanwhile and Knock Knock. He will present a career retrospective detailing...
- 7/1/2012
- by GeekRest
- GeekRest
The Friday schedule for Comic-Con is here! Once again, it's packed full of some awesome panels! We've got Total Recall, Looper, Elysium, Wreck-it-Ralph, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Community, The Venture Bros, Firefly, Arrow, Robot Chicken, and a ton of other great stuff! Check out the full schedule below, which doesn't disappoint. I've put *** next to the panels we are looking to cover.
We will be at Comic-Con kicking all kinds of ass, so for all your Comic-Con coverage and needs make sure to keep checking back here at Geektyrant!
If you plan on attending Comic-Con we will be having our annual meet-up on Wednesday night before the madness begins! Details for the meet-up will be revealed soon, so stay tuned!
Check out the schedule and let us know what panels you'll be hitting up!
Friday July 13th:
9:30-10:20 ComicsPRO "Fresh Start"— Your day at Comic-Con gets...
We will be at Comic-Con kicking all kinds of ass, so for all your Comic-Con coverage and needs make sure to keep checking back here at Geektyrant!
If you plan on attending Comic-Con we will be having our annual meet-up on Wednesday night before the madness begins! Details for the meet-up will be revealed soon, so stay tuned!
Check out the schedule and let us know what panels you'll be hitting up!
Friday July 13th:
9:30-10:20 ComicsPRO "Fresh Start"— Your day at Comic-Con gets...
- 6/29/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
I’ve seen the light.
I’ve seen the future of comics.
I had a meeting yesterday with a company that is going to change the game on the net and can change for comics and creators. I’ve haven’t been this excited since I was 17 and my very first real girlfriend Yvonne Stallworth said, “My parents won’t be home until the morning.”
At 17you know what that means, right fellas?
Poon tang…yeah.
Or in my case spending the night saying; “Please…please…please.” Before you think I was begging for poon tang; “Please, Please, Please” is the title of a James Brown song I was singing… as I was begging for poon tang.
I can’t talk about the company or what they are doing…no that’s not true, I can talk about it but I’m hedging my bets just in case I’m wrong…...
I’ve seen the future of comics.
I had a meeting yesterday with a company that is going to change the game on the net and can change for comics and creators. I’ve haven’t been this excited since I was 17 and my very first real girlfriend Yvonne Stallworth said, “My parents won’t be home until the morning.”
At 17you know what that means, right fellas?
Poon tang…yeah.
Or in my case spending the night saying; “Please…please…please.” Before you think I was begging for poon tang; “Please, Please, Please” is the title of a James Brown song I was singing… as I was begging for poon tang.
I can’t talk about the company or what they are doing…no that’s not true, I can talk about it but I’m hedging my bets just in case I’m wrong…...
- 3/27/2012
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
Hey comic book loving Chicagoans. Did you know that we’re expecting a heat wave this weekend?
“Really!?” you ask?
Yes, really.
Highs are expected to reach the mid to upper 30s So what better way to get out and enjoy a warm evening than by attending a book signing at Afri-Ware Books and Gifts this Saturday? Darian Duffy and John Jennings will be on hand to discuss their book Black Comix. Copies of the book will also be available for signing.
The focus of Black Comix is this:
“The immense popularity of comics and graphic novels cannot be ignored. But in light of the comics boom that has taken place over the past 10 years the artists, writers and publishers that comprise the vibrant African American independent comics community have remained relatively unknown, until now. … Black Comix brings together an unprecedented collection of largely unheard of, and undeniably masterful, comics...
“Really!?” you ask?
Yes, really.
Highs are expected to reach the mid to upper 30s So what better way to get out and enjoy a warm evening than by attending a book signing at Afri-Ware Books and Gifts this Saturday? Darian Duffy and John Jennings will be on hand to discuss their book Black Comix. Copies of the book will also be available for signing.
The focus of Black Comix is this:
“The immense popularity of comics and graphic novels cannot be ignored. But in light of the comics boom that has taken place over the past 10 years the artists, writers and publishers that comprise the vibrant African American independent comics community have remained relatively unknown, until now. … Black Comix brings together an unprecedented collection of largely unheard of, and undeniably masterful, comics...
- 2/11/2011
- by Obsidienne
- ShadowAndAct
Hey Gang! Comic-Con International has unveiled the full schedule for Saturday July 24th! If you thought Thursday and Friday were insanely awesome and crazy, wait until you see what's planned for Saturday! There is a ton of great stuff going on that you're going to want to see! We've got all Marvel film panel with Thor, Captain America and The Avengers. There's also Green Lantern, Cowboys & Aliens, Sucker Punch, Harry Potter, Paul, and a ton of other great stuff! And if you aren't able to make it out to Comic-Con this year don't worry we got your back, and will be covering everything we possibly can. I've highlighted all the events we hope to cover. If you're going to comic-con we will be having a little meet up. The details for that will be revealed soon. Now check out the full schedule below and start planning out your Comic-Con geekdom.
- 7/10/2010
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
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