Editors: Frances Gateward, John Jennings
Essays of 6,000 words essays sought for the revised edition of this anthology – winner of the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award, the Ray and Pat Browne Award for Best Edited Collection, and the Eisner Award. We welcome proposals that address the following issues theoretically or through comparative studies, through the work of individual artists/writers, or through explorations of individual titles or themes.
1). History/Memoir. When we conceived of this book, we wanted to be sure to represent the varied subjects in Black Comics, going beyond superheroes to address other genres, and other types of heroism. Comics and comic books have been, and remain, important in the fight for Black liberation and civil rights – in Black newspapers during segregation, during the Double V Campaign, and the Civil Rights Movement through today. Given the significance of John Lewis’ graphic novel March, winner of the National Book Award, and its use as an educational tome, we would like to include an essay focusing on this significant title.
2). Auteurist Studies/David Walker. Writer David Walker has been a transformative force in the comics Industry. He has written for some of the most iconic Black heroes in the mainstream industry with titles such as Luke Cage, Powerman and Ironfist, Cyborg,Shaft, featuring characters who are well-known but not yet covered in our book. We seek to find a scholar that can discuss the themes, symbolism, and artistry with a close analysis of Walker’s work.
3). Black Panther. Given the cultural phenomenon that is Coogler’s cinematic adaptation, an essay on Black Panther comic books needs to be added, but not just the series written by Hudlin or Coates. We seek an expansive chapter that can also to address Roxanne Gay’s World of Wakandaand the volumes written by Nnedi Okorafor.
4). Afrofuturism/Gender. We would like to include an essay that will address aspects of afrofuturism, with a focus gender, using more widely known mainstream titles and characters such as Iron Heart, Shuri, and Luna Lafayette.
5).Other important publications/topicsThough this list represents subjects we would like to include in this revised edition, it is not meant to be inclusive…other topics are welcome.
Please send your one page abstract and a short bio by February 15 (essays due May 30, 2019) to: Frances Gateward fgateward@csun.edu