Welcome back. Happy Black History Month! This year, we think it’s important to remind ourselves that Black history is US history, and even if there are those who refuse to acknowledge the importance of remembering the contributions of marginalized communities, we can always take the time to appreciate the struggle, the excellence, the beauty of Black people regardless of the time of year.
But, personally, I like the seasonal reminder to celebrate my heritage, so let’s do it.
When I was a kid, I was into comic strips, the ones in the Sunday paper particularly because it was the only day of the week that I remember always seeing a newspaper. As time went on, and newspapers all but disappeared, I definitely forgot how much I enjoyed comic strips and how many different kinds there were. Of course there was Garfield and the Peanuts, but I was a big fan of Hagar the Horrible for reasons that escape me as I type this. Maybe because it was so much different from the others.
Another of my favorites was Curtis by Ray Billingsley, about a black kid and his family just living life. I definitely forgot that it existed until I was looking up black comic artists this past weekend. It’s very dad jokey, the art is perfect comic strip art, and I looked forward to it every Sunday. Some people don’t think it’s important, but seeing a comic about people who looked like me made me feel included in a way that I didn’t without it. Sure, I loved the most well known Sunday comics, but seeing Curtis made me feel ok when people joked that stuff like that wasn’t for black people. I’m sure that opinion was based on the fact that there were so few black characters in the strips we most commonly associate with the medium, so it’s no wonder why someone would have that opinion. But comics are for everyone and everyone should be reflected in them in someway, especially considering how many there are.
So, go check out Curtis.
And then come back here when Wes continues with the February Interim Short that takes place on the Disc of Gu, Vodun of War and Smithing.
See you soon, or soon enough.
PRL Serials 