Race And Comics

[Darthphere]

http://www.dccomics.com/media/podcasts/DCComics_2006-08-01_52-SanDiegoComic-Con_2006.mp3

 

[T'Jai]

http://www.dccomics.com/media/podcasts/DCComics_2006-08-01_52-SanDiegoComic-Con_2006.mp3

danke!

 

[The Question]

http://www.dccomics.com/media/podcasts/DCComics_2006-08-01_52-SanDiegoComic-Con_2006.mp3

"I'm not white, I'm a SCOT!!!!!"

 

[ObakeTora]

It would be a beautiful thing to see a succesful black comic publication. Im sorry to hear that writers dont want to be confined to labels such as "black writers" or "underground writers." Its a shame because I studied black history for years, and there are so many events that could be transferred to comics. For instance did you know that only 2 black guards sucessfully reppelled an attack by 20 nazi soldiers? Im kinda mad that Im over 30 and this was never discussed in any of my history classes. I want to retire someday, to write my stories, but I just dont know where to begin. I have studied 3d animation software for years, but I just can't seem to find the time to sit and write. Im curious if I had a finished product such as a magazine, I wonder where should I market it first?

 

[Darthphere]

"I'm not white, I'm a SCOT!!!!!"

Yeah Morrison lost it.

 

[The Question]

It would be a beautiful thing to see a succesful black comic publication. Im sorry to hear that writers dont want to be confined to labels such as "black writers" or "underground writers." Its a shame because I studied black history for years, and there are so many events that could be transferred to comics. For instance did you know that only 2 black guards sucessfully reppelled an attack by 20 nazi soldiers? Im kinda mad that Im over 30 and this was never discussed in any of my history classes. I want to retire someday, to write my stories, but I just dont know where to begin. I have studied 3d animation software for years, but I just can't seem to find the time to sit and write. Im curious if I had a finished product such as a magazine, I wonder where should I market it first?

The thing is, they don't want to be about their blackness, and they don't want their writing to be about it either. Which is perfectly understandible. Them being black is only apart of who they are. For some, it may be one of the least important parts of who they are to them. They don't want to be labeled by it.

 

[ObakeTora]

kind of like why I liked Star Wars so much because the characters in that story didnt care about race. When Han Solo met Lando he didnt throw up the "W" and say "wassup my ni66a?"

 

[The Question]

Plus, Lando is just coolness embodied.

 

[T'Jai]

It would be a beautiful thing to see a succesful black comic publication. Im sorry to hear that writers dont want to be confined to labels such as "black writers" or "underground writers." Its a shame because I studied black history for years, and there are so many events that could be transferred to comics. For instance did you know that only 2 black guards sucessfully reppelled an attack by 20 nazi soldiers? Im kinda mad that Im over 30 and this was never discussed in any of my history classes. I want to retire someday, to write my stories, but I just dont know where to begin. I have studied 3d animation software for years, but I just can't seem to find the time to sit and write. Im curious if I had a finished product such as a magazine, I wonder where should I market it first?

Kyle baker has been doing pretty "black" stories The bakers, The truth, The Nat Turner story... he's getting critical acclaim but I had to go to SDCC and hit his booth to get it. (aka small print runs and no promotion I don't even remember where I heard about it) Finding not only an audience but a method of getting it to them ain't easy. I was not aware of that incident but there are innumerable accounts like that one around.Tell that one then keep moving. start a web comic site if you have the means... There are many writers (ahem, ahem) who would be willing to write out(or colaborate on)stories that Will see publication for credit (and a share of any profits ) depends on who you want to see it, who's your target audience?

 

[T'Jai]

The thing is, they don't want to be about their blackness, and they don't want their writing to be about it either. Which is perfectly understandible. Them being black is only apart of who they are. For some, it may be one of the least important parts of who they are to them. They don't want to be labeled by it.

and unfourtunately those are most of the writers who would do a good job at it.

 

[ObakeTora]

thanks for the inspiration. Ill get my ass to work then....

 

[The Question]

and unfourtunately those are most of the writers who would do a good job at it.

Truth be told, I agree with them. For their writing to be about them being black or the characters being black would just turn them into tokens.

 

[T'Jai]

thanks for the inspiration. Ill get my ass to work then....

Sweet, keep me posted and holla if you need me

 

[T'Jai]

Truth be told, I agree with them. For their writing to be about them being black or the characters being black would just turn them into tokens.

Not only that but the message would be lost as many wouldn't read it because they don't want to be "preached" too. or they don't want to read a "black" story...

 

[The Question]

Exactly. The best way to give black characters a good break in comics is to simply create characters who on their own merrit are good characters and simply happen to be black. Perfect example is Mr. Terrific.

 

[T'Jai]

Exactly. The best way to give black characters a good break in comics is to simply create characters who on their own merrit are good characters and simply happen to be black. Perfect example is Mr. Terrific.

Except it's hard to then push them to legendary status, do you know anyone who doesn't read comics who knows the character?

 

[RockSP]

Maybe there just aren't that many black people who want to work in comics. That's all I'm saying on this issue.

There are plenty of blacks in the industry. Have been for decades.

 

[T'Jai]

There are plenty of blacks in the industry. Have been for decades.

writers? on mainstream books?

 

[T'Jai]

http://www.dccomics.com/media/podcasts/DCComics_2006-08-01_52-SanDiegoComic-Con_2006.mp3

y'know I gotta chime in right quick on an issue raised in the panel 'bout Firestorm... What exactly isn't black about Jason I mean really what is the defining characteristic of "blackness" cause I've been with the book since issue one and whereas he doesn't "focus" on his blackness I can't recall an event or issue that rang out as "wrong" for me what are these people looking for in terms of black characters? we're not all into hip hop in fact I know many that don't even really like it they listen cause it's all that's on. (and the beats are phat as hell) does a character have to show a few stereotypical tendencies to be considered "black"? I'm curious as to where others stand on the issue, posters of all pigments chime in...

 

[Darthphere]

y'know I gotta chime in right quick on an issue raised in the panel 'bout Firestorm... What exactly isn't black about Jason I mean really what is the defining characteristic of "blackness" cause I've been with the book since issue one and whereas he doesn't "focus" on his blackness I can't recall an event or issue that rang out as "wrong" for me what are these people looking for in terms of black characters? we're not all into hip hop in fact I know many that don't even really like it they listen cause it's all that's on. (and the beats are phat as hell) does a character have to show a few stereotypical tendencies to be considered "black"? I'm curious as to where others stand on the issue, posters of all pigments chime in...

Pretty much what you said. You gotta give him some corn rows and street cred to be black.

 

[RockSP]

writers? on mainstream books?

No. Reginald Hudlin and Dwayne Mcduffie are the only black writers at either of the big two currently, as far as I know. I assumed hippy fascist was talking about writers and artists. His post seemed to suggest he was unaware of the fact that blacks have been around for quite awhile in the industry.

 

[hippy fascist]

resurrected so celldog doesn't have to start yet another thread for civil war #4

 

[Red Mask]

Christoper Priest worked at Marvel for years. He even did Spider-Man.

 

[Darthphere]

LOL! Ok.

 

[T'Jai]

Christoper Priest worked at Marvel for years. He even did Spider-Man.

...that's three, and seeing as how priest was about 15 to 20 years ago and the first... doesn't really factor into what we're saying.