https://blackgirlnerds.com/representation-in-comics-the-impact-of-black-female-creatives/

Written by: Megan Maher

Christie Sylvester from Refract Magazine wrote, “My dream is, that one day, a little Black girl will be able to walk into a comics shop and see heroes that look like her, as far as the eye can see.”

Jackie Ormes, Eartha Kitt, Hannah Beachler, Mara Brock Akil, and Javicia Leslie are some trailblazing women who are helping make that dream come true. 

Jackie Ormes

Jackie Ormes became the first Black woman syndicated cartoonist to be published in a newspaper. She was a trailblazer who pioneered an Afrofuturism expression of writing and illustration. Ormes’ works, including Torchy Brown (1937–1938), Candy (1945), Patty-Jo ‘n’ Ginger (1945–1956), and Torchy Brown: Heartbeats (1950–1954), have left a lasting mark on the world.

Ormes’ comics centered on complex Black women. She utilized the “funny pages” to share stories delving into the Great Migration, romance, art, etc., while providing social, political, and environmental commentary. However, due to the period (McCarthyism) and the repression and persecution of left-wing individuals, Jackie Ormes was put under surveillance by the FBI. 

While reading Black Women in Sequence: Re-inking Comics, Graphic Novels, and Anime by Deborah Elizabeth Whaley, a passage discussing Jackie Ormes’ comic, Patty-Jo ‘n’ Ginger stood out. At the forefront of this comic strip is the theme of comic art within traditional art spaces. In the panels, we see our protagonists, two Black middle-class sisters, Patty-Jo and Ginger, dressed in high fashion, walking through an art museum. A Picasso-esque painting of an abstract male profile hangs on the wall. The sisters, aesthetically, seem to belong in the space, yet this Picasso painting is glaring at them. Ginger returns the look of disgust to the painting and says to Patty-Jo, “Let’s get out of here… I don’t think he approves of us!” What made Ormes such an impactful artist was her ability to simplify complex themes and impress upon the reader introspective questions.

Eartha Kitt

Ertha Kitt became the first Black Catwoman in the 1960s Batman series. She is a trailblazer whose talent transcends generations. Kitt’s unique portrayal was nothing short of iconic. She redefined the character with her distinct purr-like dialogue and seductive roll of her r’s.

Kitt was referred to as “the most exciting woman in the world” by Orson Welles, and Batman producer Charles Fitzsimons remarked, “Eartha had a natural cat-like style that made her perfect for the role.” While this praise was deserved, Kitt’s portrayal of Catwoman came with racial barriers. Because of Standards and Practices regulations, interracial romance could not be depicted on television, which stopped the Batman-Catwoman love story. Eartha Kitt capitalized on the opportunity and without a romantic subplot, Kitt’s rendition of Catwoman emerged as a striking figure — elegant, enigmatic, and undeniably dangerous.

In Thursday’s Child, a book by Eartha Kitt, she reminisces about her first experience with theater as a teenager: “I saw the world in a different color. Everything was rosy, lavender, grey, and alive.” Kitt understood the gravity of the moment and the power of her voice, and she used hers to speak up for the voiceless. Unfortunately, Kitt’s career suffered (while under surveillance by the CIA), but in true Catwoman form, her career was able to breathe in a new life with her portrayal of more iconic characters.    

Hannah Beachler

Hannah Beachler is the first Black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Production Design for Black Panther (2018). She is a trailblazer who can translate Afrofuturism into a world that exists beyond our imaginations.

As a production designer, Beachler serves as the cinematic architect, shaping the visual landscape of the story. Beachler possesses a remarkable talent for reclaiming time and space, presenting them in a way that constructs a future world that the audience can understand, engage with, and somehow remember.

In a 2018 interview with City Lab Detroit, Beachler discussed the extensive research and intentionality that went into every detail of designing. There is a moment where she discusses the cityscape of Wakanda’s capital, Golden City, and the first building that stands out is the palace, followed by the records hall. It’s a stunning revelation because, like Beachler explains, as a Black American, you’re dealing with the erasure of our ancestors, the rejection of countries. In this fantastical world, untouched by colonization, where tradition and lineage have remained intact, the records hall emerges as one of the most prominent buildings.

Mara Brock Akil 

Mara Brock Akil is the co-creator of Black Lightning (2018–2021), which is one of the first significant superhero shows with a Black lead on the CW Network. Brock Akil is a trailblazer who uses her pen to tell stories where we are celebrated.

Mara Brock Akil’s influence on television is profound. Her work, including Girlfriends (2000–2008), The Game (2006–2015), Being Mary Jane (2013–2019), Love Is (2018), and more, center around authentic and complex Black stories. Black Lightning is no different.

Black Lightning is an action-filled show with tons of political and social commentary, but at its core, it is a show about family. At the 2017 ATX Festival Panel, Brock Akil shared how her introduction to comics stemmed from falling in love with her husband, Salim Akil, who brought a box of comics home when they moved in together. She states, “It is through my husband and children, I’ve really opened up to how to tell stories in this medium.” What resonates with Brock Akil’s words is that when watching Black Lightning, it doesn’t matter how extreme the situation is or how isolated a character feels, through their love as a family, the members of the Pierce unit will always be okay.      

Javicia Leslie

Javicia Leslie made her mark in history as the first Black actress to take on the role of Batwoman. Beginning her journey as Ryan Wilder in the CW series Batwoman in 2020, she succeeded Ruby Rose and brought a fresh and dynamic perspective to the superhero. Leslie is a trailblazer who showed us that everyone deserves a hero.

Bruce and Kate Wayne often symbolize privilege, and the city of Gotham shines the brightest light on them, with and without the cowl. However, Ryan Wilder is a character who has an underprivileged background. Leslie brilliantly harnessed that juxtaposition and embodied a Batwoman performance that was so raw and endearing that it made “The Bat” relatable. Her depiction invited new audiences to connect with Gotham’s biggest hero.

Regrettably, this groundbreaking moment for Black representation was met with a barrage of racist backlash from social media trolls. Yet, Leslie’s resilience shone through, never allowing it to dim Ryan Wilder’s light. In Batwoman, Season 2, Episode 15: “Armed and Dangerous,” there’s a scene where Javicia Leslie truly comes into her own as Batwoman. One of Ryan Wilder’s closest allies is in a life-threatening situation, and due to systemic obstacles, she can’t protect him. Ryan Wilder stands in her Bat suit in the Batcave, without the cowl, fully embracing the moment’s weight. Leslie delivers an emotionally charged performance that immediately distinguishes Ryan Wilder as Batwoman. While Bruce and Kate Wayne aim to keep Gotham safe, Ryan Wilder is focused on protecting all the citizens of Gotham, even the ones the world pretends not to see.    

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