The creation of Black superheroes in Marvel Comics during the Silver Age (comics published from 1956–1970) and Bronze Age (comics published from 1970–1984) has consistently been the exception and not the rule. There was Black Panther (1966), Blade (1973) and Monica Rambeau as Captain Marvel II (1982), just to name a few. However, in a parallel universe, pre-Afrofuturism birthed Ebon (1970) by Larry Fuller. The company Milestone Media Inc. — founded by Derek Dingle, Dwayne McDuffie and Denys Cowan — produced Icon (1993), Hardware (1993), and Static (1993). Lastly, L.A. Phoenix (1994) originated from the mind of David G. Brown.

Portrait of Jennings & Robinson

Enriching today’s critical race theory discourse, Stacey Robinson (Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Illustration, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign) and John Jennings (Professor of Media and Cultural Studies at UC Riverside) teamed up to form the collaborative project Black Kirby, bringing to UCR two transformative exhibitions — “Ebon: Fear of a Black Planet” and “Black Kirby X: Ten years of Remix and Revolution.” This team’s provocative name expressed with an illustrative aesthetic style originates from classic comic book artist, Jack Kirby, and their art unapologetically interrogates while addressing themes connected to Afrofuturism, social justice and representation with Hip Hop as a framework.

In “Ebon: Fear of a Black Planet,” Black Kirby’s collaborative efforts with Larry Fuller, a pioneering Black cartoonist who worked in San Francisco’s underground comics movement, reimagined the Black superhero, Ebon. His abilities were similar to that of the DC comic’s Superman; however, his strength came from darkness. Envisioning Blackness both as a safe and brave space are the various renditions of Ebon. Of significance is the image of him flying with a blue-black cape snaking into the S shape complementing both arms outstretched. Moreover, the explosively red halo surrounding the frontal profile communicates that Ebon has arrived and he ain’t playin’ either!

Major Sankofa

With eye-pop-locking gold, orange and red hues, the digital rendering of Major Sankofa mirrors the Captain America #193 cover drawn by Jack Kirby in 1976. However, in this remixed version, the major with a confident frontal profile wears a Kente zig-zagged costume with an Africanized shield in one hand and the other enclosed as a fist. In fact, one can almost hear James Brown singing “Superbad.”

Motherbox

Celebrating sistahs Blacknificently is Motherbox, a digital rendition of a Black woman in profile pose adorned in royal apparel holding a glowing object within an interstellar space background.

Viewing Ebon: Fear of a Black Planet and Black Kirby X: Ten years of Remix and Revolution is an inspirational requirement for anyone wanting to be a hero in their own circle of influence, positively changing this world one person at a time.

Ebon: Fear of a Black & Black Kirby X: Ten years of Remix and Revolution
UCR Arts: Culver Center for the Arts
March 19, 2022 to June 19, 2022
3824 +3834 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501