Comics creators John Jennings and Damian Duffy are getting a lot of attention for their graphic novel adaptation of Octavia Butler's Kindred, just out from Abrams ComicArts, and they have another project in the works. The two are using Kickstarter to fund the publication of Black Comix Returns, an expanded version of an earlier title that will feature work by over 100 African-American comics creators, including Kyle Baker, Ronald Wimberley, Alex Simmons, and Ashley Woods.
The book project is now funded with a little less than two weeks to go on its Kickstarter campaign after raising $16,680 (the goal was $9,500). The two cocreators will also release a hardcover trade edition in August 2017 via Magnetic Press, an imprint of indie comics publisher Lion Forge Comics.
The new Black Comix Returns is based on the out of print Black Comix: African American Independent Comics, Art, and Culture by Jennings and Duffy, a pioneering work on independent black comics creators published in 2010 by Mark Batty Publishers. The original book grew out of exhibitions curated by Jennings, a professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the University of California at Riverside, and his longtime creative partner, Duffy, a cartoonist, scholar, writer, curator, lecturer, teacher, and winner of a Glyph Comics Award for the best in comics by, for, or about people of color.
"We especially focused on black independent comics creators," said Duffy, who cited a “real explosion” in black comics community building. "More black comics conventions starting around the country, and more black creators finding outlets for their work online, through self-publishing, or with small press publishers.”
Duffy said, “these communities speak to huge swaths of readers who thought they weren’t interested in comics because they didn’t see themselves and their interests represented in the relatively narrow focus of corporate superhero comics."
We talked to Jennings, Duffy, and Magnetic Press founder Mike Kennedy about the project.
Why do a new book, and how is it different from the old one?
Duffy: We initially discussed doing a reprint of the first volume, but the culture had grown so much in the intervening years, it seemed like there needed to be a new book just because there’s so much new work out there. It seems like we’ll have around 100 artists, and that’s just a drop in the ocean of talented creators out there. Some are artists who were also in the first book, some are newer to comics. The design of the book will also be different. The first book was a landscape format, the new book is bigger, and square, and—assuming we reach our next stretch goal—longer, at 200 pages.
What sort of challenges do you think remain for black creators?
Jennings: I think one of the main challenges for indie creators who happen to be black is access to the audience that will support their stories. I think there’s still a lot of bias against characters of color and that results in a push back with the retailers regarding orders. Also, I think that black indie comics content is a bit more diverse in genre (like most indie comics) and that’s a double strike against a book that isn’t a superhero title. One of the goals of our book is get these creators noticed and help them build a fan base that will be dedicated to what they are bringing to the table.=
Your Kickstarter is already more than 100% funded. Why has it been so successful?
Jennings: I think this is a testimony to how much this type of content is needed. It’s also a testimony to the myth that black media of all types doesn’t sell. There is still a dearth of positive black images in popular media. So, I think that the demand by a lot of people, not just black consumers, is a desire to see a world in their fantasy narratives that is reflected in their experiences in the real world.
Mike, why did you take on the book and what are your plans for distribution and marketing?
Kennedy: The material spoke to a vocal interest and increasingly prevalent conversation topic in the comics industry and the country as a whole. But marketing it is always the biggest challenge. Grass-roots and social media will play a big part in getting the word out, but the community behind the project can be loud and proud, and that will be a big boost. Getting copies into libraries will also be a big priority. We’re building a network of supporters, scholars, and fans who are looking forward to making this book a part of their curriculum or toolbox.
