The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture will host its Eighth Annual Black Comic Book Festival on January 17 and January 18 from 10 AM to 8 PM. Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, member of the legendary hip hop group Run-DMC and founder of the independent publishing house Darryl Makes Comics, will participate in the panel discussion “Hip Hop and Comics in 3D” with Andre Davis and Dawud Anyabwile on January 18 at 2 PM.
The Schomburg Center’s Annual Black Comic Book Festival celebrates the rich tradition of Black comics featuring free, public panel discussions with notable artists and writers, film screenings, a cosplay show and competition, and exhibit tables with premier Black comic creators from across the country. The two-day event connects comic fans, creators, bloggers, independent publishers, and collectors of all ages.
“This festival brings together the large and growing community of Black comics writers and artists, at all levels, from the grassroots independents to the blockbuster silver screen projects,” said the Schomburg Center’s Associate Director of Education Brian Jones. “It is not to be missed.”
Mr. McDaniels joins a high-profile lineup, which includes:
- Eve Ewing—scholar, poet, and Marvel artist (Ironheart, Marvel Team Up)— making her first appearance at the festival with Dhonielle Clayton at the panel, “#StrongFemaleLeads in Comics and Graphic Novels,” held on Friday at 11:30 AM;
- Graphic novelists John Jennings and Damian Duffy in a discussion about their work Parable of the Sower on Saturday at 12:30 PM;
- Award-winning creators Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez (La Borinqueña), Alitha Martinez (Marvel’s Iron Man, DC Comics’ Batgirl), and Ron Wimberly (Prince of Cats) speaking at “The Color of Power” panel on Saturday at 4 PM;
- as well as appearances by Jerry Craft (Mama’s Boyz and The Offenders), David Crownson (Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer), Regine Sawyer (The Rippers, Ice Witch), Camilla Zhang (writer for Marvel and DC Comics), Dedren Snead (Sorghum and Spear), David Walker (Marvel’s’ Luke Cage), John Jennings (Professor, University of California at Riverside), Jonathan Gray (Chip and Walter) and others.
A life-long comic book lover, McDaniels founded his publishing company in 2014, following his extensive success in the world of music. Run-DMC created classic hits such as “Walk This Way,” a collaboration with Aerosmith, “Rock Box,” and “Run’s House.” The groundbreaking trio was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and holds the historic milestone of being the first rap group to have a certified gold-selling album.
Tickets for the Schomburg Center Black Comic Book Festival are free and available to the public, but spaces are limited. Those interested in attending the event must reserve their tickets online. The festival will take place at the Schomburg Center, located at 515 Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem, and run from 10 AM to 8 PM on both days, with programs for kids scheduled on Saturday at the Countee Cullen Library, located around the corner at 104 West 136th Street.
The 8th Annual Black Comic Book Festival 2020 will be held on Friday, January 17th and Saturday, January 18th at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, a division of the New York Public Library, located at 515 Malcolm X Blvd at 135th Street in Harlem. Register Here! Registration is free and open to the public.
Check out the 2019 Black Comic Book Festival and the 2018 Black Comic Book Festival.
Did you know that The Schomburg Center has the largest collection of Green Books ~ they house a full digital collection, free and available to the public.
#BlackComicBookFest
While you’re Uptown, head over to CCCADI in East Harlem for the exhibition, The Color of Power: Heroes, Sheroes & Their Creators, on view through June 13, 2020.