Comic books and graphic novels are a dynamic and significant presence in the mainstream media. The number of films, television, and other media centered on and inspired by the illustrated pages and fantastic stories of comics have exploded in the market since the early 2000s. Today, if you ask anyone on the street, they could easily name many of the most popular superhero characters that may have been obscure only 30 years ago — names like Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Green Lantern, and even Hawkman. Black and African American characters are also having a moment in the spotlight as their stories are incorporated into mainstream storytelling. Whether they are older characters originally established in the 1970s and 1980s, or race-swapped for a new era, readers and viewers are treated to fresh and new tales of adventure.

The history of Black comic books has deep roots in the City of Philadelphia. These characters, stories, and books are primarily independent, yet they still have a significant impact on the comic book genre and readers of all ages. From the 1940s to today, the Black image continues to define and redefine the concept of heroism, justice, creativity, and entrepreneurism. All of the following artists, writers, and books are from Philadelphia or the Philadelphia area.

In 1947, the first independently published and documented Black comic book was created by Philadelphia brothers Orrin C. Evans and George J. Evans, Jr. All-Negro Comics #1 is one of the rarest comic books in the world. The main character, "Lion Man," is an American-born, college-educated young scientist, sent by the United Nations to watch over the fearsome "magic mountain" of the African Gold Coast.

David Sims aka Dawud Anyabwile, Jason Sims, and Guy Sims of Philadelphia produced the first syndicated, independent Black comic magazine, Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline since All-Negro Comics #1 (1947). Brotherman, created and published in 1990 by Big City Comics, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA, was the forerunner to a plethora of indie creations and publications. Brotherman has received international exposure in both print and television media.

Reggie Byers, a Philadelphia resident, has created comic books for 39 years. He has written and illustrated numerous comic books including Jam Quacky the Hip-Hop Duck, Crescent, and Afroboy and Puffgirl.

William H. Macey III is an independent comic Illustrator/Artist based out of Philadelphia. He has been drawing and producing works for well over 20 years and is the co-creator of his self-published title The Reaper’s Touch with writer/creator Mr. Jaron Martin.

Jamar Nicholas is an award-winning, Philadelphia-based artist, author, and educator. He has dedicated his career to helping young people realize the power of the visual narrative. Jamar aims to bring awareness to anti-bullying, healing, and positive images of people of color with the idea that everyone can be a hero. He is widely known for his webcomic Detective Boogaloo: Hip-Hop Cop; his autobiographical series The Jamar Chronicles; his 2010 illustrated adaptation of Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence, a powerful memoir of African American educator and activist Geoffrey Canada’s life growing up in 1950’s South Bronx, N.Y.; and his award-winning anti-bullying work Leon: Protector of the Playground.

Flashbang: Sci-Fi Stories That Will Blow Your Mind!, the graphic novel, looks like Philly's colorful energies. It expresses this spirit on the front cover created by Eric Battle and Bryan Velenza, and the back cover by Blossom Blair. Eric Battle is an illustrator, curator, and art director whose career has covered the spectrum of comic books and graphic novels, fashion illustration, children’s books, and advertising. He is also the creator of the graphic novel BLAM!: Black Lives Always Mattered!

Philadelphia is also home to the largest comic convention centered on Black art, comic books, and media, the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBAAC). ECBAAC was founded in 2002. One of ECBACC’s major attributes is to bestow one or more first-of-a-kind industry awards the Pioneer/Lifetime Achievement (PLA) Award, the Glyph Comics Awards, and the Heruica Character Creation Award. ECBAAC was founded by Philadelphia native, Yumy Odom.

The Free Library of Philadelphia seeks to support the independent Black comic movement by working with Yumy Odom and illustrator Akinseye Brown in developing the largest collection of independent Black comic books and graphic novels.