East Coast Black Age of Comics Con ‘10!

WOW! Superhero Day at Penn Museum

Sunday March 22, 2009

Philadelphia, PA 2009—ZAP! ZOOM! POW! Superheroes, super villains, and their sidekicks have enjoyed an honored place in American comics and movies—as they have in cultures around the world.  Watch out on Sunday, March 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., as superheroes, traveling through time and across continents, invade the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology on the Penn campus in an afternoon of super antics, super games—and super fun!

Members of the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC)—planning their own comic extravaganza in Philadelphia in May—join the afternoon, with superhero-style storytelling. ECBACC, now in its eighth year, promotes literacy and creativity in youth through comic book writing and drawing workshops.  Education Director Akinseye Brown, a professional illustrator and author of HTD: How to Draw Afrakan Superheroes, offers two short workshops for all ages at 1:15 and 2:45 p.m.  Participants learn about the important parts of a story and the use of dialogue in an interactive program that emphasizes creative thinking and self-expression.

It’s WOW! Superhero Day, free with Museum admission donation, featuring activities for all ages: heroic talks and programs, comic book drawing workshops, superhero-style storytelling, a heroic scavenger hunt and heroic gallery tours, a balloon maker, a superhero marketplace with games and comics, Superhero Twister, comic hero mask making, and opportunities to learn and play popular superhero games.  All superheroes and super villains who attend in costume receive discount admission ($2 off adult; $1 off children and senior citizens)—and the chance to win super prizes throughout the afternoon!

WOW! Superhero Day at the Penn Museum is a featured event of a year-long celebration, POW: Comics, Animation, and Graphic Novels, running fall 2008 through spring 2009 at the University of Pennsylvania.

Superheroes are the focus of three short programs. Peter Struck, Associate Professor of Classical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, looks back in time at “Ancient Heroes and Superheroes” at 1:15 p.m.  “Costumed Culture Warriors” is the title of a short program featuring movie clips by Andrew J. Douglas, Ph.D., Director of Education at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, at 2:00 p.m.  “The Physics of Superheroes, or Why Can’t We All Ignore the Laws of Nature?” an interactive program by Bill Berner, Penn Physics Demonstration Laboratory Coordinator, takes a scientific view of the possible and impossible feats performed by a range of well-known superheroes at 3:00 p.m.

With galleries of cultural material from ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean world, the Americas, Asia, and Africa, the Penn Museum is already home to a host of ancient superheroes and super villains.  In the ancient Greek gallery, Hercules forever fights the Nemean lion on a 2,000-year-old painted vessel.  A giant-sized stone head of Ramesses II, a pharaoh dressed like Osiris, god of the underworld, stares regally at all who visit the Egyptian gallery.  In the Mesoamerican gallery, a monkey on an alabaster pot is a reminder of the tales of the ancient Maya Hero Twins.  Raven, a “trickster” who frequently engages in activities that mere humans cannot, or should not, do is a major presence in Tlingit culture, and throughout the Museum’s Alaska Native Peoples exhibition.  These heroic figures, and more, are the subjects of a Heroic Scavenger hunt, and can also be seen during a Heroic cross-cultural gallery tour.

Visitors interested in exploring their own human strengths and limitations—as well as considering how humans of the future may one day evolve—can tour Penn Museum’s special exhibition Surviving: The Body of Evidence, or take a super-focused tour with exhibition curator Janet Monge, exploring “Mutant Genes and Evolution,” at 2:45 p.m.  Flexibility is one of the distinctly human traits noted in Surviving, and the afternoon provides an opportunity to match flexibility and endurance with others, at an ongoing game of Superhero Twister.

Inspired by the Penn Museum’s heroic collection, everyone can create their own superheroes at a craft table featuring superhero mask making, or at least learn to draw them, at two comic book drawing workshops, 2:00 and 3:30 p.m., offered by Penn Fine Arts student Siede Coleman.

Iron Man, Batman, Spider-Man, the Hulk, and even a character from the new movie, Watchmen, are created with balloons by entertainer Joshua Steinhouse in front of the Museum Shop from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

New gaming store Redcap’s Corner, in West Philadelphia, and Showcase Comics of Bryn Mawr, join in the day’s activities, with a marketplace of games and comics to browse and purchase.  Redcap’s offers opportunities to learn and play three popular games based on heroes and villains—the strategy card games Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering, as well as, Heroscape, a 3-D game featuring, according to its manufacturers, “heroes and warriors from all worlds and times” gathering for “the battle of all time.”

Visitors to WOW! Superhero Day may see a few likely, and unlikely, superheroes wandering the Museum—and visitors dressed for the occasion should be on the lookout for Supermom, ready to hand out prizes for super costumes, throughout the afternoon.

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is dedicated to the study and understanding of human history and diversity.  Founded in 1887, the Museum has sent more than 400 archaeological and anthropological expeditions to all the inhabited continents of the world.  With an active exhibition schedule and educational programming for children and adults, the Museum offers the public an opportunity to share in the ongoing discovery of humankind’s collective heritage.

Penn Museum is located at 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.  Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.  Closed Mondays and holidays.  Museum admission donation is $10 adults; $7 senior citizens; $6 students with ID and children 6-17; free to Museum members, children under 6, and University of Pennsylvania staff, students, and faculty with a PENNcard.  For general information call (215) 898-4000, or visit the Museum’s website at museum.upenn.edu.

Philadelphia native Eric Battle is a highly sought after artist with an extensive portfolio of illustration work, from children’s books to horror novels.

Most notably, the artist has worked with both DC and Marvel Comics, creating pencils for Spiderman, Batman, Aquaman, Green Arrow, and Green Lantern, among others.

Battle has appeared as a panelist at the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention, on WHAT 1340 AM, and been interviewed by Hard Knock Radio, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Black America Web.  EricBattle.com

Dwayne J. Ferguson (a.k.a Hunter Wolf) continues to develop a long portfolio of achievements. 

In 1986, at the age of nineteen and in his sophomore year at Rutgers University, Hamster Vice, the first issue of the popular comic book series was published. The comics, about animal cops Hammy, Ben, and Wolph versus criminal roaches, went on to become Blackthorne Publishing’s top-selling book for over 16 months. The first issue, Hamster Vice: Rumble Roach sold 42 thousand copies in one month and placed Ferguson’s feet into the door of professional comics.

Taking a break from Hamster Vice, he went on to create the futuristic detective Captain Africa. Operating from the fictional city of Egyptica, Prince Najee M’witu wages a personal war on crime and, with the help of his best friend, inventor Buni Mandella, sets off to build the ultimate weapon: the Falcon Shadow armor suit.

In November 1990, Ferguson’s publishing company DIEHARD Studio Entertainment released the 120-page illustrated novel Captain Africa: The Battle for Egyptica. In 1992, the completely revised novel grew to 144 pages, with over 25 new illustrations, and a beautifully airbrush-rendered cover by the writer/artist. The book is published by Africa World Press in paperback and hardcover.

The popular character was also featured in his own 3-issue comic book series published by DIEHARD Studio Entertainment, entitled Captain Africa: Bite of the Scrab. Also during the 1990’s, Ferguson was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the US Department of Agriculture for his lecture on the importance of racial harmony in society and in literature. The enterprising creator also works in other media…1993 marked the release of his first toy line Snailiens: Supersonic Shell Fighters based on issues five and six of Hamster Vice. The Snailiens waged a never-ending war against the Lunar-Ticks in a battle to save earth. The spring of 1994 yielded the release of six 64-page Mighty Morphin Power Rangers activity books, illustrated by Ferguson, featuring characters from the #1 rated kid’s show in the country.

On September 17, 1994, Ferguson’s first animated project Mutant League premiered on Saturday and Sunday mornings across the nation in the #1 spot. The cartoon is about a sports league of mutated athletes who compete in the world’s most dangerous sports. Ferguson was the Art Director, character designer, props, background and storyboard artist for the animated series. The characters are based on the Sega Genesis games Mutant League Football and Mutant League Hockey.

In March 1997, Ferguson was hired by Sony Music to develop concept art for the super-rock band Aerosmith’s Nine Lives album. April 1997 marked the launch of his latest project, Kid Caramel Private Investigator mystery series for children. The books are entitled The Case of the Missing Ankh, The Werewolf of PS 40, Mess at Loch Ness, and Ghost Ranch: The Legend of Mad Jake.

The series is produced by the award-winning publisher Just Us Books, Inc. The fifth book in the series will be released soon. Ferguson is producing the Kid Caramel: Private Investigator animated series, which will premier in the near future. Fans can get a sneak peek of the trailer on the website www.kidcaramel.com.

Currently, he is a regular writer for 3D HDRI magazine dedicated to 3D animation. He has also written and co-authored several technology-based books for the publishers Against The Clock, such Mac OS X, FrontPage 2000, Flash MX, Dreamweaver 4 and more. Additionally, Ferguson is a Graphics Instructor for the Virtual Training Company. He develops software application tutorials such as Lightwave 3D, Animating in Flash, Combustion, Adobe Creative Suite Power Projects, iLife, Poser, and Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and more.

In 2004, Hunter created, directed and produced a 15 minute animated short film called Black Zero: Mercenary Ant. His film is shown at film festivals around the country and is receiving excellent reviews from attendees and curators of the festivals. His film was shown at the Cape May Film Festival in 2005, Cape May New Jersey and was shown at the Hollywood Black Film Festival 2006, in Beverly Hills California.

As for future projects, he knows what they are and he is not telling for now but you can bet that they will be worth the wait.

Mshindo Kuumba I. is mostly well known for his enduring attention to detail and the “Afro-centric” look to his work. “Africa being so instrumental in civilizing the world, I found it peculiar that a strong positive image of Africans is largely absent from contemporary media. Since my youth I wanted to build a career addressing this discrepancy.”

Born in 1964, Mshindo, largely a self developed talent, moved through his early years developing each aspect of his art one skill at a time. “I was fascinated by art that looked realistic and photo realism.” Studying one aspect of the process at a time allowed Mshindo to develop strong foundation skills that would become the hallmark of “The Mshindo I. look”.

Moving from pencil techniques to ink, color pencil and airbrush in that fashion allowed for lengthy study with each technique. Some of the early influences were: his Father, older brother, Mike Bonum (the after school teacher who he did his first painting with), Frank Frazetta, Amsel, Keith Pollard, Neal Adams and many others whose names were not known… just the fantastic lessons in their work.

After high school and a three year infantry medic stint, Mshindo ventured out into the world as a freelance artist selling tee shirts with a newly acquired airbrush at a flee market while living on Oahu Hawaii. It is here he met a Rastafarian named Bongo I Fareed who would change his entire life! He was the true African influence that not only taught Mshindo to be an entrepreneur, he lead him to the waters of African culture which Mshindo drank freely from. He stressed the need for self knowledge, self education and the truth of the Africans place in the world historic view.

Returning to the states in 1985 Mshindo continued to vend and grow a reputation for being a “true artist.” He began to attract clients like The Salvation Army, The NYC Fire and Police Dept., McDonalds, and the V.I.M. store chain. Celebrities and educators were also apart of this long list such as: Bobby Brown, Vertical Hold (including Angie Stone), Arrow, Mathew St. Patrick, John Henrik Clarke, Leonard Jefferies, Queen Afua and Baba Heru. Mshindo’s talents were also noticed by comic companies like; A & B, Ania, Brainstorm, Continuity, Defiant, Valiant, Broadway, Crusade, Kevlar, Amara and DC comics.

Currently Mshindo is honing his digital skills to complete yet another learning cycle in his over 20yr. experience. He is working on self publishing and reproductions of his astonishing work. Please visit www.mshindoiart.com to see more work from this bright star of the artistic universe.

Digital Technology For Liberation Artistry Pt 5:
This Is How You Do It!

Brother G and Mshindo I will show the Cinema Graphic Novel adventure “Zulu Mech 1″ and  present the techniques used to create the epic series.

Brother G will explain how we used the latest ways to get paid, distribute and protect artistry using digital technology and how we used new media to level the playing field for small independent producers and publishers.  Then, Mshindo will demonstrate artistic and storytelling techniques so that other artists can creat their own Cinema Graphic Novels. In addition, new information about international markets via the internet will be discussed.

Gregory L. Walker, CEO of Seker Nefer Productions, is a Chicago-based journalist, poet, historian and author. He is the author of Shades Of Memnon, a novel series about the activities of the ancient Kushites of Africa.

DIEHARD Studio’s Hunter Wolf, Art Director of the animated TV series Mutant League, helms the animation of Captain Africa•Purge. Wolf (who’s real name is Dwayne Ferguson) is the creator of the costumed African warrior prince Captain Africa, who teams up with Roosevelt Pitt’s high tech hero Purge. The exciting trailer to the upcoming 22 minute episode makes it’s premiere at this year’s East Coast Black Age of Comics Con! More intel to come.

ECBACC, Inc. is proud to present the longest running (okay, 3 years) comics panel featuring Black women. For ECBACC 2009, the panel is titled, “Having Our Say: Black Women discuss Youth and Beauty”.  Topics during earlier Having Our Say panels have included speculative fiction, love, and humor.  Please see the information below about the panelists scheduled to participate on Saturday, May 16.

Cheryl Lynn Eaton

Cheryl Lynn Eaton is the founder and creator of the Ormes Society. The Ormes Society, named after the legendary pioneering cartoonist of color Jackie Ormes, is an organization dedicated to supporting black female comic creators and promoting the inclusion of black women in the comics industry as creators, characters and consumers. Cheryl Lynn maintains the Ormes Society website and also maintains Torchbearers, an online community with a specific focus on black female characters in sequential art and animation.

DigitalFemme.com
The Ormes Society

Leilani Hickerson

Leilani is a freelance illustrator by day, supreme juggling master by night. She was born in the heartland of New Jersey in the year of 1983. She climbed her way to the top of the trenches and graduated in 2006 from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. There she received her BFA in Illustration and to her surprise, attained the university’s most distinguished illustration award. With comic exhibitions travelling worldwide she still enjoys her downtime. She enjoys ice coffee, pumping iron, reading comics by firelight, and illustrating her and her sister’s upcoming children’s comic My Hafu©.

Lanitai.deviantart.com
LeilaniHickerson.blogspot.com

Arie Monroe

Arie is originally from Kansas City Missouri. She has a passion for comics, illustration, and animation. Her work is inspired by a multitude of styles from fine art to anime. Some of her favorite artists include Norman Rockwell, Josh Middleton, Dan Haskett, Bruce Timm and Chris Sanders.  She specializes in drawing girls, but is always up for the challenge of drawing whatever is placed in front of her.  She also enjoys drawing things geared toward kids and has some experience working with licensed product design.

Drawlikecrazy.net
Mainasha.deviantart.com

Stephanie Brandford - Facilitator

ECBACC Treasurer and Project Manager

Click here for a history of Glyph Comic Awards nominees and winners