Famous african-american comic book artists

Meet chicagos comic book writers and artists chicago. Celebrating the contributions of african american comic. Apr 17, 2017 for better or worse, just as book publishing is based in new york, so is the american comic book industry. I dont know that writers are across the board more famous than artists. Black comic book characters are enjoying a renaissance right now on. For this list, our first comic book artist power report, were focusing on the artwork, the quality and quantity of the work combined with how it relates to the overall atmosphere of the story and the mood it suggests. Anthony piper is best known for his work on trill league. Oddly, the original african american character that first hit the pages of dc comics was a man called the black bomber, a black hero who was actually a white racist and later described by cartoonist and self proclaimed comics historian don markstein as an insult to practically everybody with any point of view at all.

But it wasnt the color of his skin which made him such a significant figure in the history of the medium. It is characterized by bright colors and use of recognizable imagery from popular culture like advertisements, celebrities and comic book characters. For my first post around the black comic creators you should know theme, i focused exclusively on artists. You might think of andy warhol and his famous campbells soup cans or maybe roy lichtenstein and his comic bookinspired paintings. The makings of the black comic book cottage industry. The list presents authors with the united states as their country of origin, although they may have published or now be resident in other countries. In describing lead feature ace harlem, time magazine wrote, the villains were a couple of zootsuited, jivetalking negro muggers, whose presence in anyone elses comics might have brought up complaints of racial distortion. Roy lichtenstein is one of the most famous modern artists. An africanamerican conceptual artist, kara walker is best known for the wallsized cut paper silhouettes.

This canadian artist, a penciller, cut his teeth at crossgen comics with such extradimensional, spacefantasy series as meridian, sigil, and mystic, the former much more so than the latter two. Black panther, luke cage and the first black artist to draw. Cartoonist, illustrator, and famous artists school cartooning course instructor. If youre looking for more, check out black comics month and the blerdgurl, two curators of black comics content across the web.

Aug 10, 2016 for my first post around the black comic creators you should know theme, i focused exclusively on artists. Jan 14, 2016 matt baker is often considered the first known successful african american artist in the comic book industry. Jan 4, 2020 research about artists book created by african american artists. But as i matured as a reader, i began to appreciate the effort it takes to successfully write an engaging comic book. With the first versions of superman and famous funnies dating back to 1930s, illustrators and artists have found a new way of displaying their talent. Famous marvel comic book artists a knowledge archive. To celebrate the last 25 years in comics, were looking back at the greatest comic book artists from the last quarter century. See more ideas about african american artist, american artists, artist books.

African american comic book history detectives pbs. July 22, 1898 november 11, 1976 one of the most influential sculptors of the twentieth century and perhaps the most acclaimed american sculptor, alexander calder is famous for his invention of the mobile, an abstract sculpture that moves in response to touch or air currents by taking advantage of the principle of equilibrium. Working with a basic concept that seemed almost too simple krazy kat swoons over ignatz mouse, who attacks krazy kat all the. After breaking into the comic book industry in the early 1980s, cowan worked for a number of years on a variety of books for dc comics, while also enjoying a stint as the regular artist on power man and iron fist for marvel comics.

No other spiderman comic book version has ever had a game where the graphics were based on the comic book art, except ultimate spiderman. In the early 1940s, matt baker became of one the earliest africanamerican comic book artists. Some prominent cartoonists of the late 19th century. But many of comics bestknown black characters are the work of white writers and artists. The 10 greatest comic book artists of all time creative bloq. African american independent comics, art, and culture. To kick things off, ive highlighted 7 comic book companies that are either based in.

Jun 25, 2014 the 10 greatest comic book writers of all time. Afua richardson is a big 3 veteran who has worked on various books. But soon they wised up and brought on board black lightning. History of women in comic books women in comics wiki fandom. These latino comic book artists create their own superheroes. Notwithstanding the memories of slavery, and in the face poverty, ignorance, terrorism, and subjugation still deeply woven into their lives, the embittered past of blacks was taken onto a much higher plane of intellectual and artistic consideration during the renaissance. The following 83 pages are in this category, out of. Cartoons and comics would soon become the basis for his work. Beverly pepper began her career as a painter, but turned to sculpture in 1960 after a trip to angkor wat, in cambodia, where she was awed by the temple ruins surviving beneath the jungle growth. Lee was an african american cartoonist who did portraits in words and pictures of famous black americans, which were syndicated to newspapers in the 1930s and 1940s note.

As box office figures can attest, comic books are big business, with successful cinematic adaptations proving that superheroes have made the leap from pop cultural niche to mainstream entertainment. The official web site for the state of new jersey nj artists. His most famous comics work is prince of cats, a futuristic title that blends hiphop drenched new york city with samurai sword duels, and shakespeare. Carrie mae weems a socially motivated artist widewalls. The 100 most influential pages in comic book history. Originally from the detroit area, pollard is best known for his simultaneous work on the marvel comics titles fantastic four, the mighty thor, and the. Matt baker is often considered the first known successful africanamerican artist in the comicbook industry clarence matthew baker was born on december 10, 1921 in forsyth county, north carolina. These gods amongst geeks range from british trailblazer dave gibbons to american legend jack kirby. He is the first african american to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture, having starred as al simmons, the protagonist in the 1997 film spawn.

The artist made her debut in a rome gallery with a show of carved tree trunks in 1962. Like arvell jones, who showed up earlier in the countdown, keith pollard was one of a group of notable comic book artists who came out of the detroit area, following in the footsteps of their fellow artist, rick buckler, who broke in first as a star artist and then slowly but surely brought his friends along. The immense popularity of comics and graphic novels cannot be ignored. Our contributor found an unusual 1950s comic book at an auction, titled negro romance this was the golden age of comic books, when americans voraciously consumed stories about. For better or worse, just as book publishing is based in new york, so is the american comic book industry. It was at this time that he began his work in pop art.

Like arvell jones, who showed up earlier in the countdown, keith pollard was one of a group of notable comic book artists who came out of the. Michael jai white is an american actor and martial artist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. John publications digestsized picture novel it rhymes with lust. The first african american illustrator to have his work nationally syndicated. The son of clarence and ethel baker, matt and his brothers robert and john, moved with their parents to pittsburgh, pa. Baker was inducted into the will eisner comic book hall of fame in 2009. This list of african american visual artists is a list that includes dates of birth and death of historically recognized african american fine artists known for the creation of artworks that are primarily visual in nature, including traditional media such as painting, sculpture, photography, and printmaking, as well as more recent genres, including installation art, performance art, body art. Comic books have had a number of female artists from the beginning. Artists in comic strips artists illustration history. Dec 11, 2012 in the early 1940s, matt baker became of one the earliest africanamerican comic book artists. But as i matured as a reader, i began to appreciate the effort it takes to.

This is because my first real connection to comics was with the art. In addition, hes lent his pencil to the most notable masks and heavilyspandexed figures in the marvel canon on cover and page, including spiderman, wolverine, the fantastic. People arent shelling out big bucks for variant writer covers. Ronald wimberly is an artist, character designer, and writer who has contributed art to several comic books and comics media projects, including black dynamite and sunset park. Comic stripbook creators of africanamerican heritage. Art by african americans smithsonian american art museum. Why are comic book writers more famous then comic book. These artist are the best comic book artists of the year. Woods got her start with her webcomic millenia war which.

Levine originally intended to be a comic book artist, but his. Hes worked on batman, batgirl, robin and currently on all allnew ghost rider. Now, of course, this isnt every black comic book artist worth mentioningnot even close. Mar 03, 2015 lee was an african american cartoonist who did portraits in words and pictures of famous black americans, which were syndicated to newspapers in the 1930s and 1940s note. Feb 06, 2016 an african american comic book artist. Pop art appreciates popular culture as opposed to elitist culture.

Before anyone cries outrage at why george perez and walt simonson are not on this list, despite continuing to produce amazing work, please remember that were just talking about seminal works from the last 25 years. Roy lichtenstein is the most famous american pop art artist after andy warhol and whaam. Despite their wide appeal, however, comic books, at least the established titles that usually become big screens franchises, are still predominantly filled with white, male characters, especially. History of women in comic books women in comics wiki. Matt baker is often considered the first known successful africanamerican artist in the comicbook industry. His most famous pieces are series banded and unbranded. In 1960, lichtenstein became an assistant professor at douglas college at rutgers university.

She is hands down one of the best multidisciplined black woman artist of her time. Drawing from various sources from historical novels to slave testimonials, walker uses imagery of mammies, pickninnies, sambos and other racial stereotypes. The university recently acquired a rare copy of allnegro comics no. I know his question work is his most famous run, and his milestone characters are also very important, but. Africanamerican comic strip artists good black news. My hope is that this will be a good primer for your own first steps into the work of black comic artists.

Popular african american books meet your next favorite book. He got his first professional work at the age of 16, drawing the title story in the first issue of hulk weekly for marvel uk. Inspired by artists such as carrie mae weems and lorna simpson, he uses the language and familiar imagery to explore issues that are often overlooked in our modern society. Pages in category african american comics creators the following 82 pages are in this category, out of 82 total. Clarence matthew baker was an american comic book artist and illustrator, best known for drawing early comics heroines such as the costumed crimefighter phantom lady, and romance comics.

Im starting a series here on theblerdgurl called africa rising and through it i am going to highlight several artists and comic book companies that are based in africa, artists that are telling stories about africa or feature african characters. Itll be interesting to see if lee talks about his own career and to what extent he encountered a color bar. Spotlight, connect and encourage african american black graphic designers and visual communicato. See more ideas about african american artist, american artists, african. Here are the top ten artists that you voted as your favorites of alltime. The artists included in saams collection powerfully evoke themes both universal and specific to the african american experience. Active in the 1940s and 1950s golden age of comic books, he is the first known africanamerican artist to find success in the comicbook industry.

A hardcover collection of art and essays showcasing the best african american artists in todays vibrant comic book culture. But arguing for the validity of black comicscomics featuring black. The next generation of black heroes will come from black creators. While each of the artists likely wrote their own strips. After all, the harlembased comic book artist billy graham had worked on the first 17 issues of luke cage, hero for hire, and even had a hand in writing a few of them. When you think of contemporary painters who made an impact on the world who comes to mind. Reflections in black by corporate america 19682008, a work created from appropriated advertising imagery.

Unchained by alex ross via comics alliance alex ross, comic book artists. Although comics have different formats, this list covers creators of comic books, graphic novels and comic strips, along with early innovators. As noted in his entry in the top writers countdown, george herriman produced krazy kat for three decades, one of the most acclaimed comic strips in the history of the medium. Black panther, luke cage and the first black artist to. Urbanmediatoday this black history month, the city of pittsburgh is celebrating the rich tradition of african american comic book artist from the pittsburgh area. The 25 greatest comic book artists from the last 25 years. Like so many american art forms that have grown and spread throughout the global audiences, comic books have been one of the most successful ones to become popularized in the nation that has brought us a variety of influences. Black artists like jeanmichel basquiat, augusta savage, kara walker, jacob lawrence and gordon parks show the african american perspective to the world.

Mar 11, 2014 designing these characters, the worlds they protect and how they can live in synergy with words on a page is an art in itself and comic book artists have a huge and worldwide following. The business of black comic books black enterprise. These vignettes that she creates illustrate the history of the american south exploring the racism. But in light of the comics boom that has taken place over the past 10 years, the artists, writers and publishers that make up the vibrant african american independent comics community have remained relatively unknown until now. What you may not realize is how many female painters have made, and are currently making, just as much of an impact. Comic book artist, cartoonist, and creator of hannabarberas popular jonny quest cartoon. The mission of african american graphic designers is to.

In 1961, lichtenstein created the tongueincheek oil painting look mickey, appropriated directly from a comic of mickey and donald. Clarence matthew baker was born on december 10, 1921 in forsyth county, north carolina. His most famous work, however, is the spirit which was first published in 1940 and went on to become a live action movie in 2008. His distinct, comic book style makes his work amongst the most recognizable in pop art. Why are comic book writers more famous then comic book artists. A jamaican born comic book artist who has worked with both dc and marvel. African american writers and artists in the comic book genre then were few and while. Aug 08, 2019 in 1961, lichtenstein created the tongueincheek oil painting look mickey, appropriated directly from a comic of mickey and donald. Many reflect the tremendous social and political change that occurred from the early republic to the civil war, through the rise of industry, the jazz age and the harlem renaissance, the postwar years, the civil. Doug wildey comic book artist, cartoonist, and creator of hannabarberas popular jonny quest cartoon.

When the completed art was returned, lee would write the dialogue. Originally from the detroit area, pollard is best known for his simultaneous work on the marvel comics titles fantastic four, the mighty thor, and the amazing spiderman in the late 1970searly 1980s. They are the distributors of comics featuring xmen, the incredible hulk, captain america and of course the. Having said that, i would say that the rise in popularity of writers like alan moore, grant morrosion, neil gaiman, etc in the late 80s early 90s created the idea of the superstar comic book writer.