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geekwayne's review
4.0
'Black Comix Returns' edited by John Jennings and Damian Duffy is a not so much a sequel to their 2010 book Black Comix as it is an update.
This A to Z volume focuses on the amazing African American artists working in the field of comics. From Leisl Adams to Ashley A. Woods there is a wide variety of styles. There are short bios of each artist and samples of their art. In some cases, the artist has a creator owned series, and these also get a paragraph or two within the artist's entry. In some cases, the entry is an essay by the artist. The end of the book has a list of black comics conventions in the US.
I liked the book. The layout is good, the art is great. While it all wasn't my favorite, I found some artists I was pretty familiar with, and it was nice to learn a bit more. If you are looking for more representation in the comics you buy, this is a good resource of people that you can support.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
This A to Z volume focuses on the amazing African American artists working in the field of comics. From Leisl Adams to Ashley A. Woods there is a wide variety of styles. There are short bios of each artist and samples of their art. In some cases, the artist has a creator owned series, and these also get a paragraph or two within the artist's entry. In some cases, the entry is an essay by the artist. The end of the book has a list of black comics conventions in the US.
I liked the book. The layout is good, the art is great. While it all wasn't my favorite, I found some artists I was pretty familiar with, and it was nice to learn a bit more. If you are looking for more representation in the comics you buy, this is a good resource of people that you can support.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
susani_'s review
3.0
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley
This was a beautiful collection of artwork black comix. It isn't a Comic book but a book of artwork. Every few pages is a biographical note about a black comic or graphic novelist and some of their artwork in whatever style they use. It was fascinating to read about their artwork and their inspiration.
This was a beautiful collection of artwork black comix. It isn't a Comic book but a book of artwork. Every few pages is a biographical note about a black comic or graphic novelist and some of their artwork in whatever style they use. It was fascinating to read about their artwork and their inspiration.
crookedtreehouse's review
4.0
I've been using the 2010 version of this book as a resource to widen the scope of which creators I seek out in both webcomics and physical comics. This new edition is considerably larger (not just thicker and filled with more up-to-date information, but physically larger) which makes the art pop even more.
Most of essays about each creator are simple one paragraph descriptions of their style and some of the projects they've worked on. These little paragraph pops left me wanting more, but, hey, I know how Google works, I can get the rest of the information that way. The longer essays within the book taught me a bunch of things about creators that I hadn't previously heard, which makes this the most useful essay book on comic creators that I've read.
I recommend it to anyone looking to read more comics, particularly by Black creators. And anyone who just likes looking at art books. And don't just read it for Back History Month either. This is a 365/365 resource.
Most of essays about each creator are simple one paragraph descriptions of their style and some of the projects they've worked on. These little paragraph pops left me wanting more, but, hey, I know how Google works, I can get the rest of the information that way. The longer essays within the book taught me a bunch of things about creators that I hadn't previously heard, which makes this the most useful essay book on comic creators that I've read.
I recommend it to anyone looking to read more comics, particularly by Black creators. And anyone who just likes looking at art books. And don't just read it for Back History Month either. This is a 365/365 resource.
ljrinaldi's review
4.0
When I was growing up, when I first started reading comics, I fell in love with Supergirl, because she was like me. We all look for ourselves in what we read, even if we are trying to escape. We like to think that if we find someone like us, that looks like us, or is from our part of the country, or talks like us, or is any way like us, that we can project ourselves into this world of make believe.
Later, of course, as I grew up, I looked at what was then called the Underground comics, to find people more like me, that thought the way I did. It was the time when women were drawing their own comics, and I was, again drawn to that.
Representation, anywhere is important. We need to see ourselves in books and stories, so that we feel part of it. When we see women in power, we know we too can grow up to have power. When people of color see themselves in books and stories, they feel more engaged.
So that is why this book is so important, although it is more of a taste than anything else. There are so many great artists, so many different styles out there, it makes you want to go and seek all of them out. Amazing stuff.
The only problem with this collection, as some of the reviewers pointed out, is that there is not enough of each artist. That it is only a taste, and we need more than that. What we probably need now, is an anthology, more like what some of the reviewers though this book was.
Here are just some of the examples of the huge number of artists mentioned far too briefly in this collection:
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Later, of course, as I grew up, I looked at what was then called the Underground comics, to find people more like me, that thought the way I did. It was the time when women were drawing their own comics, and I was, again drawn to that.
Representation, anywhere is important. We need to see ourselves in books and stories, so that we feel part of it. When we see women in power, we know we too can grow up to have power. When people of color see themselves in books and stories, they feel more engaged.
So that is why this book is so important, although it is more of a taste than anything else. There are so many great artists, so many different styles out there, it makes you want to go and seek all of them out. Amazing stuff.
The only problem with this collection, as some of the reviewers pointed out, is that there is not enough of each artist. That it is only a taste, and we need more than that. What we probably need now, is an anthology, more like what some of the reviewers though this book was.
Here are just some of the examples of the huge number of artists mentioned far too briefly in this collection:
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
thelostshoe's review
5.0
This is fantastic, enjoyable and great for anyone who wants to learn more or find new comic authors/artists to get into. This is great celebration and promotion for African American Independent Comic creators. It showcases work and gives information on the creators. A large variety of styles are inside this lovely book.
beththebookdragon's review
3.0
Fantastic compendium of sample work and descriptions of newer black comics creators. Some essays are included, notably (to me) one on black women creators. A wonderful place to see what's going on in black comic art or comic art in general, and to find possible new graphic novels, comics and/or artists to find. Much of the art is as mind-blowing as that amazing cover!
jmanchester0's review
5.0
Wow.
This is an art book.
It‰ЫЄs a fantastic art book.
The only reason I‰ЫЄm surprised is because I thought it was going to be a collection of comics - of stories, etc.
But it actually highlights several comics artists and their work.
And their work is wonderful.
The great thing about this is the diversity of the work. There are superheroes, and indie comix, humor, high art, all kinds of stuff.
These artists are amazingly talented.
The trouble is, many of these are really hard to find. Wait, I take that back. They aren‰ЫЄt too hard to find with a little bit of digging; I‰ЫЄm just probably not going to find them at my local library or on Amazon.
Except, I did read Joel Christian Gill‰ЫЄs Strange Fruit from my library about 2 years ago - check it out; it‰ЫЄs powerful, horrifying, and inspiring. Also retrieved from my library - Jeremy Love‰ЫЄs Bayou was riveting - and was beautiful.
I love Afua Richardson‰ЫЄs art! I put World of Wakanda (written by Ta-Nehisi Coates) on hold at my library - she did the cover. And I‰ЫЄm definitely going to check out Genius.
And I just bought Whit Taylor‰ЫЄs Ghost Stories! The first story in this book blew my mind!
And I did read Black, by Kwanza Osajyefo, and which Jamal Igle did the interior art for. (Both of whom are in this book.) I thought Igle‰ЫЄs black and white art was great - and the comic was an excellent commentary on our world.
I wish I could have gotten in on the kickstarter for Is‰ЫЄNana the Were-Spider. Matthew Clarke‰ЫЄs work looks amazing - especially Hardears. I‰ЫЄd love to read DayBlack by Keef Cross. I can‰ЫЄt believe I just passed on volume 2 on NetGalley! (H)Afrocentric by Juliana ‰ЫПJewels‰Ыќ Smith looks interesting. And I‰ЫЄll be checking out C. Spike Trotman‰ЫЄs work!
I may have to get Dave Crosland‰ЫЄs Ego Rehab. I‰ЫЄm also going to have to check out Tony Puryear‰ЫЄs Concrete Park.
Stacey Robinson‰ЫЄs Kid Code: Channel Zero looks surreal. I‰ЫЄm going to have to pick that up for my girlfriend. Also, Niobe: She is Life by Ashley A. Woods.
The essays were wonderful, too. I loved Enrique Carrion‰ЫЄs essay Comics as Hip-Hop. And Brandon Thomas‰ЫЄs You Have to Buy It really hit home. I‰ЫЄm going to be purchasing some of these.
And at the end is a list of conventions and events ‰ЫП‰Ы_dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the black and brown creators, characters, and content‰Ы_‰Ыќ
Thanks to NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors for a copy in return for an honest review.
This is an art book.
It‰ЫЄs a fantastic art book.
The only reason I‰ЫЄm surprised is because I thought it was going to be a collection of comics - of stories, etc.
But it actually highlights several comics artists and their work.
And their work is wonderful.
The great thing about this is the diversity of the work. There are superheroes, and indie comix, humor, high art, all kinds of stuff.
These artists are amazingly talented.
The trouble is, many of these are really hard to find. Wait, I take that back. They aren‰ЫЄt too hard to find with a little bit of digging; I‰ЫЄm just probably not going to find them at my local library or on Amazon.
Except, I did read Joel Christian Gill‰ЫЄs Strange Fruit from my library about 2 years ago - check it out; it‰ЫЄs powerful, horrifying, and inspiring. Also retrieved from my library - Jeremy Love‰ЫЄs Bayou was riveting - and was beautiful.
I love Afua Richardson‰ЫЄs art! I put World of Wakanda (written by Ta-Nehisi Coates) on hold at my library - she did the cover. And I‰ЫЄm definitely going to check out Genius.
And I just bought Whit Taylor‰ЫЄs Ghost Stories! The first story in this book blew my mind!
And I did read Black, by Kwanza Osajyefo, and which Jamal Igle did the interior art for. (Both of whom are in this book.) I thought Igle‰ЫЄs black and white art was great - and the comic was an excellent commentary on our world.
I wish I could have gotten in on the kickstarter for Is‰ЫЄNana the Were-Spider. Matthew Clarke‰ЫЄs work looks amazing - especially Hardears. I‰ЫЄd love to read DayBlack by Keef Cross. I can‰ЫЄt believe I just passed on volume 2 on NetGalley! (H)Afrocentric by Juliana ‰ЫПJewels‰Ыќ Smith looks interesting. And I‰ЫЄll be checking out C. Spike Trotman‰ЫЄs work!
I may have to get Dave Crosland‰ЫЄs Ego Rehab. I‰ЫЄm also going to have to check out Tony Puryear‰ЫЄs Concrete Park.
Stacey Robinson‰ЫЄs Kid Code: Channel Zero looks surreal. I‰ЫЄm going to have to pick that up for my girlfriend. Also, Niobe: She is Life by Ashley A. Woods.
The essays were wonderful, too. I loved Enrique Carrion‰ЫЄs essay Comics as Hip-Hop. And Brandon Thomas‰ЫЄs You Have to Buy It really hit home. I‰ЫЄm going to be purchasing some of these.
And at the end is a list of conventions and events ‰ЫП‰Ы_dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the black and brown creators, characters, and content‰Ы_‰Ыќ
Thanks to NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors for a copy in return for an honest review.
j_reads_nightmares's review
4.0
A fantastic compilation of graphics, media, and essays from various African American creators. The art was stunning, and the samples of comics seemed very well thought out. While I was hoping for a more in-depth collection of comic samples, I enjoyed every second of this all the same - and even found some new artist and comic book artist to check out in the future.
This would be a great gift to anyone who appreciates art and comics.
Bravo for putting this gorgeous collection together!
This would be a great gift to anyone who appreciates art and comics.
Bravo for putting this gorgeous collection together!
mlindner's review
3.0
Has mostly 2-4 page spreads on approx. 50 Black artists, writers, etc. of comics and graphic novels. Is arranged in alphabetical order by name. I found a good list of people and titles to look into but sadly my public library has access to almost none of them. Maybe PSU has more of them; I still need to check the Summit catalog.
Back in the early 2000s we went to a lecture by these guys at the art museum on UIUC campus; as Damian had recently entered our grad department.
Back in the early 2000s we went to a lecture by these guys at the art museum on UIUC campus; as Damian had recently entered our grad department.
cathepsut's review
3.0
I had expected an anthology of short comics. My mistake, I guess. It is a collection of artwork and a few essays on various topics. If that is what you are looking for, as a broad representation of African-American comic art, this could be a fabulous resource for you.
Some of it is great artwork, some is not. I did discover some interesting artists. I guess I expected more story telling. For me personally, this was not what I was looking for.
I received this free e-copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
Some of it is great artwork, some is not. I did discover some interesting artists. I guess I expected more story telling. For me personally, this was not what I was looking for.
I received this free e-copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, thank you!