The first black comic book artist

Now, of course, this isnt every black comic book artist worth mentioningnot even close. Clarence matthew baker was born on december 10, 1921 in forsyth county, north carolina. Click on any name below for more information about the artist listed. After first gaining attention illustrating the epic comics series alien legion vol. William henderson graham july 1, 1935 april 4, 1997 was an africanamerican comics artist best known for his work on the marvel comics series luke cage, hero for hire and the jungle action feature black panther. Like arvell jones, who showed up earlier in the countdown, keith pollard was one of a group of notable comic book artists who came out of the detroit area, following in the footsteps of their fellow artist, rick buckler, who broke in first as a star artist and then slowly but surely brought his friends along, as well. Here is the top 125 comic book writers master list. Clarence matthew baker, commonly known as matt baker, was one of the first successful black comic book artists. Matt baker is often considered the first known successful africanamerican artist in the comicbook industry clarence matthew baker was born on december 10, 1921 in forsyth county, north carolina.

Matt baker, the first black comic book artist, was born on december 10, 1921, in forsyth county, north carolina. My hope is that this will be a good primer for your own first steps into the work of black comic artists. Rick buckler, who broke in first as a star artist and then slowly but surely brought his friends along, as well. I can clearly recall the very first moment that my love of comics and comic art coalesced into a.

Matt baker is often considered the first known successful africanamerican artist in the comicbook industry. Baker penciled what is arguably the first graphic novel, st. Baker is credited as having illustrated the first graphic. The business of black comic books black enterprise. Clarence matthew baker was an american comic book artist who drew the costumed crime fighter phantom lady, among many other characters. In 1944, he got a job as a background artist with the s. He was originally conceived by jack kirby as a character named coal tiger. Pollard had significant stints on a number of major marvel titles, from daredevil to thor to iron man to amazing spiderman. Baker was inducted into the will eisner comic book hall of fame in 2009. Khary randolph who has worked on spiderman, xmen, teen titans, mosaic and others answered our question about the experience of being a black comic book artist. After all, the harlembased comic book artist billy graham had worked on the first 17 issues of luke cage, hero for hire, and even had a hand.

Krazy kat was one of the first comic characters to be animated and he was an immense visual influence on the world of cartoons. He attended the cooper union school of engineering, art, and design in new york. Anthony piper is best known for his work on trill league. Clarence matthew baker was an american comic book artist and illustrator, best known for drawing early comics heroines such as the costumed crimefighter phantom lady, and romance comics. Then, in 1966, two white, jewish, firstgeneration american creators, stan lee and jack kirby, revolutionized comic books by introducing the first black superhero. In honor of black history month, an ebook of the first issue is. One of the best comic book artists you should know. Baker is best remembered for the costumed crimefighter phantom lady and as the mediums first known black artist.

The son of clarence and ethel baker, matt and his brothers robert and john, moved with their parents to pittsburgh, pa. Clarence matthew baker december 10, 1921 august 11, 1959 was an american comic book artist and illustrator, best known for drawing early. John publications digestsized picture novel it rhymes with lust. Black or africanamerican comic book superheroes were nonexistent in the two major comic book companies until the mid1960s. Billy graham, marvel comics first black artist new york amsterdam. Active in the 1940s and 1950s golden age of comic books, he is the first known africanamerican artist to find success in the comicbook industry.

Black panther, luke cage and the first black artist to draw both. With the help of artist tony puryear, the visuals are just as vivid as the story. Khary randolph on being a black comic book artist syfy. Clarence matthew baker was a black comic book artist who died in 1959. After breaking into the comic book industry in the early 1980s, cowan worked for a number of years on a variety of books for dc comics, while also enjoying a stint as the regular artist on power man and iron fist for marvel comics. John publications digestsized picture novel it rhymes with lust 1950. One of the greatest comic book artists of all time. Woods got her start with her webcomic millenia war which.

Among the stories spurred by the black panther film is an engrossing one about africanamerican comic book writers and graphic artists. Afua richardson is a big 3 veteran who has worked on various books. Golden age of comic books, he is the first known africanamerican artist to find success in. Ive been in love with his work ever since he drew batgirl. An interview with several of the most buzzedabout independent black comic book superhero creators today.