As part of our Black History Month features, we're celebrating notable Black comic artists and creators. For our last article of February, we'll feature even five more notable Black creators. For this article, we're celebrating stars from all over the world of the industry, focusing on Olivier Coipel, Felipe Smith, Bill Masuku, and Robyn Smith.
Olivier Coipel
Olivier Coipel is a renowned French comic book artist celebrated for his contributions to iconic titles such as House of M, Legion of Super-Heroes, and Thor. Initially venturing into the realm of visual narrative through animation, Coipel honed his skills on beloved films like Balto, The Prince of Egypt, and The Road to El Dorado, before transitioning to comic book artistry.
Coipel's rise to prominence primarily occurred during his tenure as the artist for DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes, collaborating with colleagues Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning on the acclaimed "Legion of the Damned" story arc. In January 2005, Coipel signed on exclusively with Marvel Comics, marking a significant milestone in his career and solidifying his status as a rising star in the industry.
As mentioned previously, some of Coipel's more notable works include the eight-issue crossover limited series House of M, co-created with writer Brian Michael Bendis, and the critically acclaimed Thor ongoing series with writer J. Michael Straczynski. His remarkable contributions to the world of comics extended beyond his creative endeavors, as evidenced by his participation in setting two Guinness World Records for the Fastest Production of a Comic Book and Most Contributors to a Comic Book at the Kapow! convention in London. His continued collaboration with prolific writers like Jason Aaron on The Unworthy Thor further solidifies his legacy as a powerhouse artist in the comic book industry, leaving an indelible mark on the superhero genre.
Follow Olivier Coipel on Instagram and Facebook.
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Felipe Smith
Felipe Smith, born in 1978, is a prominent American comic book creator with Jamaican and Argentine roots. Notable for his work on Robbie Reyes' Ghost Rider and mangaka of Peepo Choo. The manga series made history by being the first manga created and serialized in Japan by a Western artist before its English-language release.
Smith's journey into the world of art began at a young age when he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his talent flourished, laying the foundation for his future endeavors. After completing his education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Smith embarked on a career in animation, relocating to Los Angeles to pursue his passion further.
In 2005, Smith made his first mark in the comic book industry with MBQ, a semi-autobiographical graphic novel series that garnered attention not only in the United States but also in Japan. His unique approach attracted the interest of a prominent book agent, leading to a pivotal meeting at San Diego Comic-Con in 2007 with Kodansha. This encounter paved the way for Smith's relocation to Tokyo, where he created Peepo Choo, a manga that was loved by audiences both in Japan and internationally. Following his successful stint in Japan, Smith returned to Los Angeles, where he contributed to Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated TV series and Marvel Comics as the writer of All-New Ghost Rider, introducing the world to the iconic character Robbie Reyes. He's also recently worked on Death Metal Zombie Cop: Birth of a Nightmare, now available for sale on his website.
Smith's creativity the pages of comics, making a significant impact on television when Robbie Reyes Ghost Rider made his television debut in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in 2016. With his trailblazing contributions to both comic books and animation, Smith continues to push boundaries and redefine the landscape of storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.
He now co-runs a podcast with DJ5DUCK called Cringe Musume: The Gaijin experience
Follow Felipe on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and deviantArt. Find his podcast on here on Youtube.
Image from Felipe's Wikipedia page, posted by
Bill Masuku
Bill Masuku, a comic book artist and writer hailing from Zimbabwe, has been immersed in the industry since approximately 2016. He credits the local event organizers in his hometown of Harare for providing platforms for emerging creators like himself to showcase their talents. Masuku's debut work, Razor-Man, delves into the realm of supernatural fantasy, unveiling a clandestine southern African society shrouded in masks, which has wielded influence over the country for generations. He endeavors to bridge the gap between his storytelling preferences and the untapped narratives he envisions, citing a scarcity of manga or comics rooted in African cultures, spirituality, or martial arts.
Masuku finds inspiration in a myriad of sources, whether it be the people he encounters, their attire, or the locales he traverses, sometimes even delving into esoteric scientific concepts stumbled upon during Wikipedia explorations. His creative process is a fusion of personal passions and a commitment to unveiling fresh narratives that challenge existing norms within the comic book industry, reflecting his dedication to injecting diversity and innovation into the storytelling landscape.
Follow Bill Masuku on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Gumroad.
Robyn Smith
Robyn Brooke Smith, a talented Jamaican writer and cartoonist residing in the United States, has left an indelible mark on the world of graphic novels. Raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Smith's passion for cartooning was cultivated from a young age, influenced by her father's skill as a portrait artist and her mother's expertise as a makeup artist. Her upbringing in Jamaica, combined with her love for reading Archie Digest, laid the foundation for her future career in the arts. At the age of 16, Smith and her family immigrated to the Bronx, where she continued to pursue her artistic aspirations after graduating from high school.
Smith's educational journey led her to earn a bachelor's degree from Hampshire College and a master of fine arts degree from the Center for Cartoon Studies. It was during her graduate program at the Center for Cartoon Studies that she conceived her debut comic book, The Saddest Angriest Black Girl In Town, a poignant memoir exploring her experiences as one of the few Black individuals in a rural Vermont town. Recognized for its impact, it was named to the 2016 Best Short Form Comics list by The Comics Journal. It was later reprinted in 2021 by Black Josei Press, cementing Smith's status as a rising star in the comics industry.
In addition to her memoir, Smith has made significant contributions to graphic novels that celebrate Black women's experiences. Jamila Rowser enlisted Smith to illustrate Wash Day, a heartfelt comic depicting the hair care rituals of Black women, which received widespread praise and won the 2019 DiNKy Award for Best Floppy Comic. Smith's talent as an illustrator shone once again in the follow-up graphic novel, Wash Day Diaries, co-created with Rowser, earning them the prestigious 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Graphic Novel/Comics and further establishing Smith as a luminary in the world of graphic storytelling.
Follow Robyn Smith on Twitter and Instagram.
If you'd like to read more articles and the history of Black Creators, here are some links for you:
- The Radical History of Black Cartoonists
- Black Comics Pioneers
- 10 comics by Black creators you should read
- MangaNEXT | Felipe Smith talks manga — and life
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Indie Comics Spotlight: With Wash Day, Nubia, and more, artist Robyn Smith is making Black Girl Magic real
- The Pain And Power Of A Comic Book Writer: The Zimbabwean Artist Breaking Rules