As part of our Black History Month features, we're celebrating notable Black comic artists and creators. There are so many creators that we want to highlight, so every Tuesday for the rest of Black History Month, we'll feature even more notable Black creators. For our second article, we're covering some of the more recent classics and greats of our time, including Milestone Media, The Boondocks, Malcolm Jones III, Brian Stelfreeze, and Larry Stroman.
Milestone Media
Milestone Media was established in 1993 by a group of African American writers and artists including Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, Derek T. Dingle, and Christopher Priest. The publishing company emerged during a period when the comic book industry faced criticisms for its lack of diversity in both characters and creators. Milestone sought to introduce a more inclusive array of superheroes and narratives to the industry to bridge the gap in representation.
Under the leadership of Dwayne McDuffie, Milestone Media created a multicultural universe with such titles as Static, Icon, Hardware, Blood Syndicate, and many more. Some of these are still around today! The comics showcased diverse and minority superheroes, each imbued with unique backgrounds. Of the above titles, one of Milestone's standout creations was Static, a teenage superhero endowed with electromagnetic powers, conceived by McDuffie and Cowan. Static became so popular that it was reimagined into an animated show called Static Shock that aired from 2000 to 2004 and is now a character in the DC Comics lineup.
Despite critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base, Milestone Media faced challenges in the competitive comic book market, leading to its eventual hiatus in the late 1990s. However, its impact on the industry was profound, inspiring future generations of creators and paving the way for greater diversity and representation in comics. In 2015, it was announced that Milestone Media would be relaunched in partnership with DC Comics, with plans to revive and expand upon its iconic characters and universe. Tragically, Dwayne McDuffie passed away in 2011, but his legacy continues to live on through the enduring influence of Milestone Media and its groundbreaking contributions to the world of comics.
By Luigi Novi, CC BY 4.0, Link
The Boondocks and Aaron McGruder
The Boondocks was a syndicated comic strip penned and originally illustrated by Aaron McGruder, running from 1996 to 2006. McGruder introduced the strip in 1996 on Hitlist.com, an early online music platform. Shortly afterwards, it found its way into the pages of the monthly hip-hop magazine, The Source, in 1997. Due to its rising popularity, the comic was eventually picked up by the Universal Press Syndicate with a national debut in April 1999. With a blend of satire targeting African American culture and American politics, the strip was centered around the perspective of Huey Freeman, a young, African American.
It quickly became both popular and controversial, drawing attention for its brutally honest commentary and sometimes provocative themes and topics. Using the perspective of the main character Huey, McGruder offered critiques of society that started discussions on the topics of race, social justice, and of course politics. Often, McGruder would include references to modern or past real-world events, earning the ire of politicians and other creators, typically conservatives.
Despite its controversial and biting nature at times, The Boondocks was well received and popular, becoming on of the largest launches in the history of Universal Press Syndicate. It was so popular in fact that in 2005, an animated version of the comic premiered on Adult Swim via Cartoon Network. It won numerous awards including an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series and a Peabody Award.
Malcolm Jones III
Malcolm Jones III left an indelible mark on the comic book industry as an esteemed American comic book artist, renowned primarily for his role as an inker on prominent titles such as The Sandman and The Question. His distinctive linework and textures brought depth and richness to the work of prominent pencillers including Mike Dringenberg, Kelley Jones, and Colleen Doran, elevating the visual storytelling of these iconic series. Notably, Jones collaborated with Denys Cowan, providing inks for Cowan's pencils on The Question, further showcasing his versatility and talent within the medium.
Jones's journey in the world of comics began with his education at the High School of Art and Design, alongside future Milestone Media co-founder Michael Davis, before he pursued further studies at the esteemed Pratt Institute. He made his debut inking Dennis Yee's pencils on Cheap Labor in DC Comics' New Talent Showcase #15, and from there, Jones quickly established himself within the industry. His portfolio includes notable projects such as inking duties on DC's Young All-Stars and his own penciled works, including a Spider-Man story for Marvel Comics. One of his most famous works was on The Sandman written by Neil Gaiman. Despite his untimely passing in 1996, Jones's contributions continue to be celebrated, leaving behind a legacy of artistic excellence and creative inspiration.
Brian Stelfreeze
Having worked or almost every major publisher today, this list would be incomplete without the amazing Brian Stelfreeze. He's recognized for his multifaceted talents as a painter, penciller, inker, and colorist. His extensive career has seen him collaborate with nearly every major comic book publisher, establishing himself as one of the original members of Atlanta's esteemed Gaijin Studios. Stelfreeze's artistic journey began in the mid-1980s with his debut as the artist for the sci-fi miniseries CyCops, setting the stage for a remarkable career trajectory.
While Stelfreeze has gained renown primarily as a cover artist, with over fifty cover illustrations for DC Comics' Shadow of the Bat to his credit, he has also made significant contributions to sequential storytelling. In 2020, Stelfreeze ventured into creator-owned territory with the launch of Thomas River, a spy series that he co-wrote with Doug Wagner, achieving crowdfunding success through Kickstarter and publication by 12 Gauge Comics. Currently serving as the art director for 12 Gauge Comics, Stelfreeze's latest endeavors include providing artwork for series like The Ride and Gun Candy, along with his work on the Walt Simonson-written Demon/Catwoman feature in DC Comics' Wednesday Comics.
Larry Stroman
Larry Stroman, an American comic book artist and writer, made his mark in the industry with notable contributions to various Marvel Comics titles, including The Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, and Ghost Rider, as well as projects for DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics. His interest in comics was sparked at a young age, leading him to pursue a career as a comic book artist after initially working as a draftsman and portrait artist in New York City. Stroman's preference for the Marvel method of creation allowed him to maintain a fluid approach to his work, ensuring a seamless storytelling process without pacing issues.
Stroman's early career saw him illustrate back-up stories for titles like American Flagg! and World's Finest Comics before solidifying his association with Marvel Comics through his work on Alien Legion and other titles such as Alpha Flight Annual and Cloak and Dagger. Notably, he embarked on a significant collaboration with writer Peter David on the series X-Factor, where he not only served as the regular artist but also had the creative freedom to redesign characters' costumes and appearances. Additionally, Stroman ventured into creator-owned territory with the creation of Tribe, co-created with Todd Johnson, which became the largest-selling African-American-created comic of all time.
Throughout the 2000s, Stroman continued to leave his mark on the industry with contributions to The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe series and various Marvel titles.
By Gage Skidmore, CC BY 4.0, Link
If you'd like to read more articles and the history of Black Creators, here are some links for you: