{"id":2435,"date":"2022-04-26T10:46:25","date_gmt":"2022-04-26T17:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ucrarts.ucr.edu\/?post_type=events&p=2435"},"modified":"2023-10-13T16:47:51","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T23:47:51","slug":"mini-comic-fest-feat-black-kirby","status":"publish","type":"events","link":"https:\/\/ucrarts.ucr.edu\/events\/mini-comic-fest-feat-black-kirby\/","title":{"rendered":"Mini Comic Fest feat. Black Kirby"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”none” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#fbfbfd” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” id=”home” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”top_to_bottom” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”straight_section” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”padding-6-percent” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” zindex=”100″ advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_t_to_right_b” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” offset=”vc_col-xs-6″ gradient_type=”default”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” top_padding_tablet=”40″ text_align=”left” min_width_tablet=”50vw” min_width_phone=”50vw” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all” min_width=”47vh”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” enable_border_animation=”true” gradient_type=”default”][nectar_highlighted_text style=”text_outline” outline_thickness=”regular” text_outline_color=”#000000″ text=”9vh” custom_font_size=”11vh”]\n

Mini Comic Fest.<\/h1>\n

feat. Black Kirby<\/em><\/h2>\n[\/nectar_highlighted_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” top_padding_tablet=”0px” top_padding_phone=”0px” text_align=”left” min_width_tablet=”0px” min_width_phone=”0px” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all” min_width=”47vh”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-9-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” enable_border_animation=”true”][vc_column_text]Culver Center of the Arts<\/em>
\nMay 22nd, 2022
\nIn Person Event[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Reserve Tickets<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.5″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” min_width_desktop=”50vw” min_width_tablet=”50vw” min_width_phone=”50vw” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ background_image=”1883″ background_image_position=”center center” enable_bg_scale=”true” background_image_loading=”default” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.5″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”ro-reveal-from-bottom” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”100vh” custom_height_tablet=”80vh”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#ffffff” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”5%” bottom_padding=”3%” left_padding_desktop=”15%” constrain_group_2=”yes” right_padding_desktop=”15%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” id=”about-text” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”1″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” enable_animation=”true” animation=”fade-in-from-bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1650995355294{padding-bottom: 1.5% !important;}”]\n

Join us for a day of discussion and celebration!<\/h2>\n

The first Culver Center of the Arts Mini Comic Fest brings together artists, writers, creators, and scholars to discuss comics, culture, and industry. The event will feature panel discussions and the Black Kirby exhibitions (<\/span>Ebon: Fear of a Black Planet<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Black Kirby X<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top-bottom” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” enable_animation=”true” animation=”fade-in-from-bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1650990349778{padding-right: 10% !important;}”]\n

Schedule<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1651704604421{padding-right: 10% !important;}”]Ebon: Fear of a Black Planet<\/strong>
\n1:00-2:00pm<\/em>
\nJohn Jennings (Black Kirby), Stacey Robinson (Black Kirby), Larry Fuller (Ebon Creator)<\/p>\n

Women of Color in Comics<\/strong>
\n2:30-3:30pm<\/em>
\nJazmine Joyner (Editor for IDW), Ang\u00e9lique Roch\u00e9 (Marvel), Shawne\u00e9 Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs (Cartoon Network)<\/p>\n

The Business of Comics<\/strong>
\n4:00-5:00pm<\/em>
\nRodney Barnes (Killadelphia), Brandon Easton (ABC’s Agent Carter), Keithan Jones (KID Comics), Regina Sawyer (Lockett Down Productions), and Robert Roach (Menthu).[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Reserve Tickets<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#ffffff” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”0″ bottom_padding=”2%” left_padding_desktop=”15%” constrain_group_2=”yes” right_padding_desktop=”15%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” id=”about-text” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”1″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” enable_animation=”true” animation=”fade-in-from-bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1651806137147{padding-bottom: 1.5% !important;}”]\n

Speaker bios<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rodney Barnes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rodney Barnes is an award-winning writer, producer, and comic book creator whose vibrant and emphatic creative voice has established him as a Hollywood mainstay.<\/p>\n

Barnes is currently an executive producer and writer for HBO\u2019s new series WINNING TIME: THE RISE OF THE LAKERS DYNASTY, which chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Showtime Lakers during the team\u2019s wild and fast-paced golden years.<\/p>\n

Barnes has a number of projects in different stages of development including; creating-showrunning-writing THINGS THAT MAKE WHITE PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE, a TV show based on Michael Bennett\u2019s book of the same name in development with John Wells at HBO Max; writing a creative feature for New Regency with Jordan Vogt-Roberts attached to direct; and writing a miniseries based on the life of golf great Tiger Woods.<\/p>\n

In addition to TV, Barnes is a veteran comic book creator who earned an Eisner Award nomination for his critically acclaimed graphic novel Killadelphia, which now has a television show in development at Levantine TV. Barnes recently launched his own comic studio and publishing imprint, Zombie Love Studios, a creative space dedicated to storytelling from BIPOC perspectives in unique formats. Barnes has released a number of graphic novels including Army of Darkness, James Bond Himeros, Marvel\/Lucasfilm\u2019s Lando: Double or Nothing, Lion Forge\u2019s Quincredible, Marvel\u2019s Falcon, Secret Empire, and has expanded into Substack with Nita Hawes\u2019 Nightmare Blog, Elysium Gardens, Johnny Gatlin, and 20\u00b0 Past Rigor. Barnes also has an adaptation of the cult horror classic Blacula on the way.<\/p>\n

Brandon Easton<\/strong><\/p>\n

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Brandon attended Ithaca College and then earned his MFA in Screenwriting at Boston University. After teaching U.S. History and Economics in NYC public schools, Brandon relocated to Los Angeles and broke into the TV writing scene with the Warner Bros. Animation 2011 reboot of THUNDERCATS followed by TRANSFORMERS: RESCUE BOTS. His original graphic novel SHADOWLAW won the 2013 Glyph Award for Best Writer. Won five 2014 Glyph Awards and also nominated for an Eisner Award for the African-American inspired WATSON AND HOLMES graphic novel. An alumnus of the 2015 Disney\/ABC Writing Program, Brandon wrote on season two of MARVEL\u2019S AGENT CARTER and was commissioned to adapt the Japanese horror franchise VAMPIRE HUNTER D into a TV series.<\/p>\n

Recent credits include JUDGE DREDD: FALSE WITNESS, MARVEL ACTION SPIDER-MAN, TRANSFORMERS: GALAXIES as well as the hit Netflix TV series TRANSFORMERS \u2013 WAR FOR CYBERTRON: SIEGE. Brandon was a writer for a variety of DC Comics series including MISTER MIRACLE: THE SOURCE OF FREEDOM, SUPERMAN: TRUTH & JUSTICE, SUPERMAN: RED AND BLUE and BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT.<\/p>\n

Brandon spent the last two years at Blizzard Entertainment, writing content for OVERWATCH 2 and HEARTHSTONE. In Spring of 2022, Brandon was hired to adapt the acclaimed African-superhero series IYANU: CHILD OF WONDER into a television series for Roye Okupe and YouNeek Studios.<\/p>\n

Larry Fuller<\/strong><\/p>\n

Larry Fuller was one of only three Black cartoonists working in the historic Underground Comics Movement in San Francisco and in 1969 he made history by creating one of the first costumed Black independent superhero characters. Ebon was published in 1970 and, although only one issue, the comic was a landmark in Black creative thought, political commentary, and can be seen as a formative work in what is now called Afrofuturism.<\/p>\n

Fuller created Ebon initially while stationed at Minot AFB in North Dakota. A long-time comics fan, one of the many genres he enjoyed was superheroes, though he continually despaired that none of them looked like him. He went on to publish over a dozen other standard size underground comics as well as an uncounted number of x-rated digest and mini comics. He last published a comic book in 1992, at which time he began collaborating with the late Richard \u201cGrass\u201d Green which entailed inking several of his stories. Since that time Fuller has maintained a strong engagement with the creative process in general and is an avid supporter of comic creators.<\/p>\n

Shawne\u00e9 Gibbs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shawne\u00e9 Gibbs is a Los Angeles-based writer and producer, who specializes in creating content for television, film, comics and graphic novels. She\u2019s currently a Lead Writer for Cartoon Network, and has served as a Staff Writer for Warner Bros. Animation, Dreamworks Animation and Mattel Studios.<\/p>\n

Along with her writing partner and sister, Shawnelle Gibbs, she\u2019s authored the YA comic book series Fashion Forward and the Glyph Award-nominated adventure series, The Invention of E.J. Whitaker. Her upcoming YA graphic novel, Ghost Roast, will be published by HarperCollins in Fall 2023.<\/p>\n

Shawnelle Gibbs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shawnelle Gibbs is a writer from Oakland, California currently based in Los Angeles. She\u2019s the Co-writer of the comic book series\u2019 The Invention of E.J. Whitaker and Fashion Forward. Her upcoming graphic novel \u201cGhost Roast\u201d is scheduled for release in 2023 through HarperCollins. She has served as Lead Writer for Cartoon Network, and has also written for Dreamworks Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, and Mattel Studios. Shawnelle is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Writers Guild of America West, and Women in Animation.<\/p>\n

John Jennings<\/strong><\/p>\n

John Jennings is a Professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the University of California at Riverside. Jennings is co-editor of the Eisner Award-winning collection The Blacker the Ink: Constructions of the Black Identity in Comics and Sequential Art. Jennings is also a 2016 Nasier Jones Hip Hop Studies Fellow with the Hutchins Center at Harvard University. Jennings\u2019 projects include the horror anthology Box of Bones, the coffee table book Black Comix Returns (with Damian Duffy), and the Eisner-winning, Bram Stoker Award-winning, New York Times best-selling graphic novel adaptation of Octavia Butler\u2019s classic dark fantasy novel Kindred. Jennings is also founder and curator of the ABRAMS Megascope line of graphic novels.<\/p>\n

Keithan Jones<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keithan Jones is the founder and owner of KID comics, an independent publisher based in San Diego, California. The mantra behind KID is, \u201cThe Kid In You Never Dies\u201d. It is a constant reminder that our childhood spirit is the core of who we really are no matter how old we get.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Dad introduced me to comics and took me to see the original, Star Wars. That experience blew my mind. I was hooked into comic-culture ever since.\u201d However, growing up reading comics, Jones noticed a lack of ethnic diversity in the stories. “None of my favorite characters were Black or the main protagonist. They were sidekicks at best.” He wanted to change that one day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to see legitimate bad-azz superheroes of color that appealed to all demographics.\u201d In 2015, Jones established KID comics and his first publication, The Power Knights, which he originally created in 1982 as a child. He went on to create, San Diego’s Black Comix Day: Heroes Rise, a Black History Month celebration of Afro-centric comics and the artists behind them. Keithan regularly features his childhood creations, The Power Knights at conventions around the country. The Power Knights can be purchased at kid-comics.com<\/p>\n

WEBSITE: kid-comics.com<\/a>
\nInstagram: kjkidcom
\nTwitter: kidcomicskj
\nFB: kidcomicsonline<\/p>\n

Jazmine Joyner<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jazmine Joyner (They\/Them) is an Associate Editor at IDW Publishing, and a freelance writer. They consume copious amounts of books, television, and movies; All while writing furiously. Jazmine is working on their graphic novel debut The Story Eater slated for spring 2024.<\/p>\n

Stacey Robinson<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stacey Robinson is an Assistant Professor of graphic design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was a 2019-2020 Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellow at Harvard University\u2019s Hutchins Center for African & African American Research who completed his Master of Fine Art at the University at Buffalo in 2015. For the last several years he has traveled internationally discussing the complexities decolonized future spaces. As one half of the collaborative team \u201cBlack Kirby\u201d with artist John Jennings, Stacey creates graphic novels, gallery exhibitions, lectures, and workshops that use world-building strategies to imagine new worlds inspired by Design, Hip-Hop, the Arts and Sciences, and diasporic African belief systems. Latest Exhibited works include \u2018The Black Angel of History\u2019, at Carnegie Hall, and \u2018Futures\u2019 at the Arts + Industries Building at the Smithsonian. His latest graphic novels are, \u2018I Am Alfonso Jones\u2019 written by Tony Medina in 2017 is available from Lee & Low Books, and \u2018Across the Tracks: Remembering Greenwood, Black Wall Street, and the Tulsa Race Massacre\u2019, written Alverne Ball in 2021 is available from Abrams Books.<\/p>\n

Ang\u00e9lique Roch\u00e9<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ang\u00e9lique Roch\u00e9, is a writer, attorney, journalist, producer, and host. With almost twenty years of experience, Angelique has worked in various sectors including public policy, campaign politics, corporate communications, and pop-culture-focused content creation.
\nAs a journalist and commentator, Ang\u00e9lique has contributed to MSNBC, ESPN, AMC, Disney+, Peacock, SiriusXM, Harper\u2019s Bazaar, NBC News, Black Girl Nerds, Syfy, Marvel, and Nerdist. In addition to producing interviews, hosting live events and red carpets, and moderating panels she is currently the host and a producer of Marvel Entertainment’s Marvel’s Voices podcast and a contributor to and consulting editor of the Marvel\u2019s Voices comics anthology series (2020 – present).<\/p>\n

She is the co-author of the forthcoming non-fiction book, My Super Hero is Black from Marvel and Simon and Schuster\/Gallery Books and will be featured in Titan Books\u2019 upcoming Marvel\u2019s Black Panther: Script To Page (available 10.4.22). Ang\u00e9lique is also the lead writer on the Black and Blue Story Project\u2019s teen-focused graphic novel series engaging the public in creative conversations about the future of policing. It is currently in development.
\nAngelique\u2019s credits include being a producer on Marvel\u2019s scripted podcast, Wolverine the Lost Trail, and writer\/producer on ESPN\u2019s Marvel\u2019s Arena of Heroes. She is also a regular producer of video content for issue and policy campaigns for various organizations including The Ms. Foundation for Women, Fair Fight Action\u2019s Civics for the Culture, the Frontline Election Defenders, and M4BL.<\/p>\n

Regine Sawyer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Regine L. Sawyer is the writer\/publisher at Lockett Down Productions; a cutting edge small press company specializing in Horror and Sci-Fi comics. She is also the Coordinator and Founder of the Women in Comics Collective International. It’s an organization that supports marginalized voices working in the comic book industry. In addition, Regine has written articles, essays and stories for such companies as Marvel Comics, DC Comics, A Wave Blue World, Z2 Comics, Lion Forge, Graphic Policy, The Freelancer\u2019s Union, Comic Book Resources and Time Magazine.<\/p>\n

Robert Roach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Diversity. Inclusion. These are words that have taken on new meaning in the last year. Suddenly, Hollywood is taking notice of black artists and creators. But creative barriers have long been broken and this movement started a long time before \u201cBlack Panther\u201d and HBO’s \u201cWatchmen\u201d hit our screens, both large and small, and diverse characters in our favorite comic books’ pages.<\/p>\n

Over the last two decades, I\u2019ve worked as a comics creator (artist, writer and publisher<\/em>), concept illustrator and storyboard artist for numerous live action and animated projects. I participated in Warner Brothers’ management trainee program and as an instructor at Otis College of Art. I have also worked in the entertainment industry in a number of non-artistic jobs, such as on the daily TV show \u201cNational Enquirer Uncovered\u201d and as a Japanese-English translator at New York Film Academy.<\/p>\n

During the same time period, artists like myself, Brandon Easton (Marvel, DC and IDW), Geoff Thorne (Marvel and DC) and the late Dwayne McDuffie (co-founder of Milestone Media) have been part of the Black Superhero community. We gathered on message boards, at Comic Cons, independent book stores and even produced documentaries.\u00a0 Easton’s documentary \u201cBrave New Souls\u201d centers on Black comic creators, who also work in other segments of the entertainment industry. Andrew Owens’ in development documentary, \u201cHero Talk,\u201d features a number of that influential message board’s principal contributors\u2014many of whom that have gone on to higher profiles and bigger opportunities within these industries.<\/p>\n

In terms of my comics work, my creative content continues to be as diverse as my audience. It spans from ancient Egypt’s lore to Chicago’s prohibition era.\u00a0 An example of this is my comic \u201cThe Roach,\u201d which won the inaugural Glyph \u201cRising Star\u201d award for excellence in independent publishing. It\u2019s a throwback to old noir style stories like \u201cThe Spirit,\u201d and it pushes boundaries.\u00a0 He\u2019s a vigilante style anti-hero during Chicago\u2019s prohibition period. \u201cThere are racial overtones in this story arc. The white vs. black culture is shown for all its pluses and minuses, and not just for shock value,\u201d said critic Mike Hamersky. To further bring home this idea and to feel like the era in which it is set, \u201cThe Roach\u201d is strictly presented in black and white, with many textures & effects included. Despite\u2014or maybe because\u2014of this, many fellow creators say that the black and white art still feels as if it is full color.<\/p>\n

Another of my acclaimed comics, \u201cMenthu,\u201d is set in present day Los Angeles and based on Egyptian mythology. He’s a Black hero discovering his god-like roots. In preparation to write ‘Menthu,’ I spent six years\u2014off-and-on\u2014studying various text, the ‘Book of the Dead’ and such. So I’m adamant about using proper names\u2014not Greek translations of Egyptian names and places. It’s a deep dive into life in Los Angeles and a chance to play around with ancient Egypt’s lore.<\/p>\n

In addition, I wrote and illustrated an action serial on Operative-dot-net, about \u201cIthuriel.\u201d This young Black man is a \u201cConan-type\u201d warrior, and his journey traverses the African diaspora and across Asia. There are numerous references to the breadth of African and Asian ancient cultures and mythologies\u2014especially Japan’s, since I spent numerous years there and am fluent in the language.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/operative.net\/fiction-ithuriel-inception.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Even though we \u201cother than creators\u201d are finally getting a chance to reach the mainstream with our works, we still face challenges with publishers who don\u2019t fully understand the culture and audience. Now that the barrier has been broken among many audiences, it\u2019s time to see what\u2019s on the other side[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Reserve Tickets<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#fcb359″ scene_position=”center” top_padding=”65″ constrain_group_1=”yes” bottom_padding=”65″ top_padding_tablet=”20%” constrain_group_3=”yes” bottom_padding_tablet=”20%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_b_to_right_t” overlay_strength=”1″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_margin=”90px” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” left_padding_desktop=”25″ constrain_group_2=”yes” right_padding_desktop=”25″ text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”0.3″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”1896″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”15px” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”3\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

CREDITS<\/h5>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Culver Center of the Arts Mini Comic Fest<\/b> is organized by Black Kirby and UCR ARTS. Black Kirby is a shared pseudonym that\u00a0is Stacey Robinson (Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Illustration, University of Illinois at Urbana\u2013Champaign) and\u00a0John\u00a0Jennings (Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, UC Riverside). UCR\u2019s College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and the City of Riverside provide support for UCR ARTS programs.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

May 22nd \u2022 1pm<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1855,"template":"","categories":[31],"tags":[45],"department":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2435","1":"events","2":"type-events","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"category-events","7":"tag-past"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMini Comic Fest feat. Black Kirby - UCR ARTS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ucrarts.ucr.edu\/events\/mini-comic-fest-feat-black-kirby\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mini Comic Fest feat. 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