Increasingly, we’re seeing graphic novels and comics authored by Aboriginal writers and illustrators. As a fan of graphic novels in general (and an avid reader of comics as a kid), I am super happy to see this growing body of work.
Interested in acquiring these for your libraries or just because you want to support Aboriginal writers and illustrators? If so, here are some places to start:
- Darkness Calls - Available through The Healthy Aboriginal Network (Canada)
- Illustrated by Steve Sanderson (Cree), Darkness Calls focuses on discussing suicide, particularly as it impacts First Nations’ youth
- Steve Sanderson was also showcased on Global National’s Everyday Heros program. Here’s the news clip.
- Rabbit and Bear Paws - Little Spirit Bear Productions (Canada)
- Chad Solomon (Anishinabe) is the creator and illustrator.
- Sacred Circles (see page 3 of the linked document) – Birchbark Comics (Canada)
- Sacred Circles and Birchbark Comics were created by Brandon Mitchell (Mi’kmaq), who is from Listuguj, a Mi’kmaq community located in southeastern Quebec
- The website for Birchbark Comics is no longer active, so I’m not sure if they’re still in business (I hope that they are).
Another place to visit is Blue Corn Comics (United States), which has created the comic Peace Party. The creator of Blue Corn Comics is Rob Schmidt (non-Aboriginal). Blue Corn Comics involves Native American writers and illustrators in its work and has a Board of Advisors that reviews each script for accuracy and/or insensitivity to Native American cultures and peoples.
If you are aware of others that I’ve missed, please feel free to post a comment to the blog. Thanks!
Filed under: Collections, Comics/Graphic Novels, First Nations, First Peoples, Libraries, Metis, Native Americans, Youth
I haven’t actually seen these, but:
Tribal Force — created by writer Jon Proudstar and artists Ryan Huna Smith.
http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/t/tribforc.htm
These from Chickaloon Village: http://www.chickaloon.org/CVStore/CVStore.html
Roy Boney, Jr. (Cherokee) illustrates a comic called PluginBoy. More info
here: http://roysunshine.com/
Finally, these are not by a Native author but have plenty of tribal
involvement, including some of the illustration:
http://www.millelacsojibwe.org/herosvoice.asp
The blog at Blue Corn Comics is great for keeping up with news about Indians in comics; he even does a newsletter on that topic.
I look forward to seeing more leads!
–Kelly
Thanks for sharing these links Kelly!
Thanks for mentioning Blue Corn Comics.
I’ve posted a fairly comprehensive list of Native-themed comics at http://www.bluecorncomics.com/nacomics.htm. Most are by non-Natives, but a few by Natives include:
Tales of the Cherokee
Koda the Warrior
The Raven
Rocking Raven
Strong Man
Super Shamou
The Illustrated History of the Chippewas of Nawash
I should add that a lot of the non-Native efforts are as good as the Native efforts, if not better. Knowing a Native culture doesn’t necessarily make you a good writer or artist.
By the way, I review all the Native-themed comics I come across in my Newspaper Rock blog (http://www.bluecorncomics.com/newsrock.htm) and Indian Comics Irregular newsletter (http://www.bluecorncomics.com/ici.htm). Librarians who wish to collect Native comics may want to follow these reviews.
Rob Schmidt
Former librarian