University Park Library hosts black comics program
February 21st, 2008 | by admin |Original Post here: Snikkkt!
Source: South Town Star
They’re teachers and office workers by day, and the creators of superheroes by night.
The imaginative minds behind “Storm Zero,” “Serenade” and “Unbelievable Laundry Detergent Man” gathered together Sunday for the first Black Age of Comics Convention at the University Park Public Library.
Comic book creator Turtel Onli, whose titles include “Nog is Back” and “Malcolm-10,” said the creative energy of African-Americans doesn’t manifest itself enough in the visual arts.
“We’re trying to spark black innovation in the visual arts,” said Onli, who teaches art at Kenwood Academy in Chicago and Harold Washington College. ” ‘The Black Age of Comics’ is a movement that I started, with a focus on independent creativity, personal vision and fantasy.”
Onli has illustrated album coves for George Clinton and Captain Sky.
“I did one for the Rolling Stones when I was living in France, but it didn’t pass censorship,” said Onli, whose Web site is at www.dablackage.blogspot.com.
Cassandra Washington, an assistant principal at Turner Drew Language Academy, is creator of a female African-American superhero called “Sustah-Girl” and co-creator of the educational comic book “Grammar Patrol.”
“I used to be a third and fourth grade teacher. I thought there had to be a better way to teach the parts of speech. So I created the comic book and used it in my classroom for years.”
Rod and Barbara Jenkins combined their talents to create “Kiss Me Comix.”
“I loved to read comic books and my wife was an artist,” he said. “She’s a graduate of the American Academy of Art. She does the artwork and I write the text.”
Their popular comic book, “Serenade,” is an adult psychological thriller.
“We can’t keep Serenade issues,” Barbara Jenkins said. “We have a following. I work in watercolor and acrylic. Everything is done by hand.”
Along with partner Robert Boyd, the couple created the series “Excessive Force.”
“It’s about a man who creates the perfect body armor for the military and the Chicago Police Department,” Boyd said. “When he finds out his boss is involved with the criminal element, he takes it upon himself to fight the criminals.”
Their comic books can be purchased at www.kissmecomix.com.
Jose “Nino” Mesarina’s superhero is the “Unbelievable Laundry Detergent Man,” who fights gang members and drug dealers by turning into a massive giant made of soap and water.
“His alter ego lives and works with his grandfather in a Laundromat in Chicago.”
Mesarina collaborates with friend Allen Chan. Their latest comic book creation is “Ralphyboy,” based on funny experiences growing up in Chicago.
Mesarina’s comic books can be purchased at www.myspace.com/laundrydman.
Jason Hunter, publisher of Jahligator Comics, created the comic book “Smoker’s Cough,” which focuses on the bad habit of smoking.
The storyline begins ominously: “Beneath the city streets of Chicago, an unpardonable crime is about to be committed. A careless and dangerous ritual devoid of compassion or empathy is perpetrated thoughtlessly by the villainess, but will not go unpunished . . .”
More information about Jahligator can be found at www.jahligator.4t.com.
Jared Day, a resident of Harvey, drives a school bus by day and writes “Storm Zero” by night. The comic book’s three warriors are the hero, Captain Pryo, the villain Syco, and Hinru, who must discover which side he will support.
Day’s wife Alicia edits the comic books. Meanwhile, Justin Baggette recently joined the team as an artist. Day also teaches art at the University Park Library.
Their comic books can be purchased on www.planetdaystorm.com.
Library Director Kelly Nichols said that comic books and graphic novels spark the interest of young readers, especially young boys.
“Boys are stimulated through the eyes,” she said. “And young kids are very graphic-oriented because of the Internet. That’s why the library has a wide variety of graphic novels about Greek mythology, Cleopatra and Alexander the Great. After the graphic novels spark their interest, we send them to the regular books. Sometimes movies generate interest. Many children wanted to learn about the ancient Greeks after the movie “300″ came out. Coincidentally, “300″ was based on a graphic novel.”
For more information about the library’s upcoming programs during Black History Month, interested people may phone (708) 534-2580 or log onto www.universityparkpubliclibrary.org.
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