Miami Book Fair 09: Color of Comics

by Mark on November 24, 2009 at 12:10 am
Posted In: More Mark Stuff

Friday night Nov.13 Chris and I attended the Color of Comics Exhibition and panel discussion at the Miami Book Fair.  The Exhibition had original art showcasing race and multi-cultural representation in comics. Below are several pieces from the gallery…panel4


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The panel discussion was quite interesting and covered the topics of women and races in the comic pages and behind the scenes. What I found most intriguing was everyone’s backstory and influences. panel1The panel was moderated by Alex Simmons, The creator of the Kids Comic Con and writer for Archie Comics. The panel guests included…

Dawud Anyabwile

Dawud Anyabwile is the co-creator and illustrator of Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline, a pioneering African American comic book that has influenced a generation of artists and writers while selling more than 750,000 copies without the help of a major publisher.

Anne Sibley O’Brien

Anne Sibley O’Brien, who was raised bilingual and bicultural in South Korea, has illustrated 28 children’s books, 12 of which she also wrote. The Legend of Hong Kil dong: The Robin Hood of Korea, her first graphic novel, was named a Booklist Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth, Bank Street College Best Book of the Year. It also received the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, and the Global Korea Award.

Ray Felix

Ray Felix is founder of the independent comic book company Cup ‘O’ Java Studio, publisher of the comic magazines, God: The Second Coming, O.D’s Helpful Hints, The No-1 Anthology, the comic series A World Without Superheroes. The serial Runaway Slave is based on his Afro-Colombian ancestors and their Dutch slave master Phillip Livingston. He’s also worked on as an artist on Broadway (Cathay: 3 Tales From China), and in film (A Wonderful Christmas).

Jerry Craft

Jerry Craft is the creator of Mama’s Boyz, an award-winning comic strip that has been distributed by King Features Syndicate since 1995, making him one of the few syndicated African-American cartoonists in the country. He’s illustrated a number of children’s books, comic books and book covers, and he’s the former editorial director of the Sports Illustrated For Kids website.