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I disagree with meritocracy that was discussed by #ChristopherPriest and @JoeQuesada – it's aspiirational because it doesn't acknowledge the gaps in opportunity for Black #comics creators versus their white peers, which I argue thusly...
There is NO rational reason why @JAMALIGLE (who is on par with and faster than Frank Quietly and Evan Reis) shouldn't be writing and drawing #Superman for @DCComics.
There is none – he's vetted vet, knows the character top-to-bottom, and his run would be fire.
There is none – he's vetted vet, knows the character top-to-bottom, and his run would be fire.
Nighthawk by @DavidWalker1201 is whispered about with almost the same reverence as Gotham criminals have for not saying #Batman's name outta pocket, so with his long resume in #comics – why isn't he writing the Dark Knight.
Because despite aspirations of a meritocracy in #comics your favorite black comics creators at @Marvel and @DCComics have needed to have illustrious careers outside the industry to get the brass ring and even then, to Priest's point, assigned only black characters.
Find the lie.
Find the lie.
Before anyone lights up my mentions, I also think until that meritocracy exists, black creatives must work on black characters to build equity and authenticity.
Since we ain't there yet, if the "best Black Panther pitch ever" is by a white writer you best put on a black artist.
Since we ain't there yet, if the "best Black Panther pitch ever" is by a white writer you best put on a black artist.
Back to my point, the current crop of superstar black creatives have a catalog of successes in writing novels, media, etc. but compared to black #comics creators far less in periodicals.
Which has always been the barometer for gaining work in this industry.
Which has always been the barometer for gaining work in this industry.
And that isn't to say it is necessary, I think quite the opposite but...
What's been established are two separate set of rules for black and white #comics creatives. Black comics creators can grind all they want, they'll only get top gigs if they've written TV, film or a novel that hits the NY Times best seller list.
Being black and doing your 10 years in #comics won't get you the regular gigs or low-tier crossover event book, your white counterparts get. You may get the black character mini that will get no marketing, but never the marquee series – no matter how many indie comics successes.
So while I would love to see the meritocracy in #comics that @JoeQuesada and #ChristopherPriest speak of – to paraphrase James Baldwin, “I can't believe what comics say, because I see what comics do.”
PS
None of this is aimed at these persons, who I respect creatively – it's aimed at the idea of meritocracy without context.
PPS
Any exceptions to what I point out – are exceptions. I'm not here for anyone naming 100 black characters when there are 100,000 white characters.
None of this is aimed at these persons, who I respect creatively – it's aimed at the idea of meritocracy without context.
PPS
Any exceptions to what I point out – are exceptions. I'm not here for anyone naming 100 black characters when there are 100,000 white characters.
