Embedded Files
I Have a Dream:
U.S. lawmakers passed the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965, prohibiting racial discrimination, desegregating schools and guaranteeing equal voting rights to all Americans. Sadly, legal rights are a far cry from true social justice and equality. The last few years have seen a rise in awareness of police brutality, prison inequality, and racism through the Black Lives Matter movement.
Six Days in Cincinnati: A Graphic Account of the Riots That Shook the Nation a Decade Before Black Lives Matter
Dan Méndez Moore (Author and Illustrator)
Microcosm Publishing, 2017
This comic depicts the history of the 2001 Cincinnati riots. Civil unrest and community outrage were sparked when 19-year-old Timothy Thomas, an unarmed African American man, was shot and killed by an officer of the Cincinnati Police Department during an attempt to arrest him for non-violent misdemeanors.
Black
Kwanza Osajyefo (Author), Jamal Igle (Artist)
Black Mask Studios, 2017
With its powerful introductory cover art, Black poignantly invites readers to explore current social issues. After being racially profiled and shot by police, Kareem Jenkins learns he is part of a secret group of black people with superpowers. One of the primary themes explored in the comic is: “In a world that already hates and fears them - what if only Black people had superpowers?”
Captain America: Sam Wilson #18
Nick Spencer (Author), Daniel Acuna (Illustrator)
Marvel Comics, 2017
Elvin Haliday, a.k.a. Rage, is an African-American superhero who is arrested and beaten by the police force for allegedly robbing a pawn shop. Innocent of the crime, Rage intends to use his imprisonment to show the injustice of the judicial system. Commenting on prison inequality, Rage says, “Haha, yeah, I'll be the first black man to ever get put away for something he didn't do, Sam.”
Black Panther & The Crew #1
Ta-Nehisi Coates (Author), Butch Guice (Illustrator), John Cassaday (Illustrator)
Marvel Comics, 2017
Ta-Nehisi Coates is an author, educator and national correspondent for The Atlantic. He is known for his writing about cultural, social and political issues, particularly regarding African Americans. In this comic, a civil rights activist is murdered while in police custody. Black Panther, Storm, Luke Cage, and Misty Knight join forces in Harlem to investigate, bring about justice and keep the peace in the community. Written and released during the Black Lives Matter movement, the title was controversially cancelled by Marvel after just six issues.
I Am Alfonso Jones
Tony Medina (Author), Stacey Robinson (Illustrator), John Jennings (Illustrator)
Tu Books, 2017
This is one of the first graphic novels for young readers that focuses on police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. Alfonso Jones is shot and killed by an off-duty police officer who mistakes the clothes hanger on the new suit Alfonso is carrying for a gun. Alfonso wakes in the afterlife where his spirit is guided by well-known victims of police shootings.
APB: Artists against Police Brutality: A Comic Book Anthology
Bill Campbell, Jason Rodriguez, and John Jennings (Editors)
Rosarium Publishing, 2015
An anthology of comics and essays that focuses on issues of police brutality, the justice system, and civil rights. The proceeds are donated to the Innocence Project, an organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people.
Victor LaValle's Destroyer #1
Victor LaValle (Author), Dietrich Smith (Illustrator)
Boom! Studios, 2017
Embracing contemporary America’s social issues, Victor LaValle's Destroyer is a modern adaptation of the Frankenstein story. After her son is killed by a trigger-happy police officer, Dr. Josephine Baker brings him back to life.
Action Comics Vol. 2 #42
Greg Pak (Author), Aaron Kuder (Artist)
DC, 2015
The Ferguson unrest involved protests and riots that began after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by police on August 9, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Released in the wake of these riots, this issue of Action Comics pits Superman and residents of Kentville against the Metropolis police force. Despite their non-violent protest, the police are armed with anti-riot weapons and attack the crowd with tear gas and violence.
Abbott
Saladin Ahmed (Author), Sami Kivela (Artist)
Boom! Studios, 2017
In this comic, Elena Abbott is a Black journalist who sheds light on brutality and negligence by the city’s majority white police force against its African American citizens.
Race to Incarcerate: A Graphic Retelling
Marc Mauer (Author), Sabrina Jones (Illustrator)
The New Press, 2013
The United States has the highest incarceration rate per capita of any country in the world. Experts have estimated that one of every three black males and one of every six Latino males born today can expect to do time in prison. This graphic retelling of the title by the same name published 2006 explores race, class and inequalities in the U.S. criminal justice system.
Monster: A Graphic Novel
Walter Dean Myers (Author), Guy A. Sims (Author), Dawud Anyabwile (Illustrator)
Amistad, 2015
Steve Harmon is a teenager awaiting trial for murder and robbery. A product of a society steeped in systemic racial oppression, Steve envisions how his trial would play out on the big screen. Would he have a chance at fair treatment? Or would he only be viewed as a monster?
Page updated
Report abuse