The Black Comic Book Festival, a celebration of comics, anime, graphics, cosplay and more, is back for its 12th year at the Schomburg Center in Harlem starting on Friday.
The two-day festival, also known as SchomCom, features dozens of panel participants, including artists, authors and comic-book creators from across the African and Black diaspora, as well as a marketplace with more than 50 comics world exhibitors.
Photo by Isseu Diouf Campbell
This year’s schedule features a Friday panel on how to draw Black superheroes, led by artist and educator Tim Fielder. There is a Black comics trivia challenge on Friday evening, and a panel on teaching Black history via comics.
Among Saturday’s highlights is a panel discussion with the creators of “Iyanu: Child of Wonder,” a comic that’s being adapted into an animated series on Cartoon Network and Max. Nigerian comics creator Roye Okupe and others will be on hand to discuss bringing the comic to the screen.
David Crownson, pictured at last year’s Black Comic Book Festival.
Photo by Bob Gore
“Our creators are telling remarkable stories you often don’t see on TV or get to read when you’re in the classroom,” said Kadiatou Tubman, curator and executive producer of the event. “The event is critical because it provides representation, it provides the liberation of imagination.”
One of Tubman’s favorite annual traditions is Saturday evening’s cosplay showcase. Although attendees dress as their favorite characters and inspirations all weekend, she said the showcase is the main event for costumes.
A scene from last year’s Black Comic Book Festival in Harlem.
Photo by Bob Gore
Tubman herself dressed as a favorite character from David Crownson’s comics series “Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer.”
“My last name is Tubman, so obviously this was a win,” she said. “It paid homage to his incredible story about a Harriet Tubman who literally slays demons, as a way to tell stories about history, slavery, resistance and powerful Black women.”
A speaker at last year’s Black Comic Book Festival.
Photo by Bob Gore
Tubman said the event drew about 8,000 people last year, and she expects a similar number this year. While much of the event focuses on the fun and joy of the comics world, she said literacy is just as important to its mission.
“The event was really founded to encourage young people to read, to see themselves in the books and enjoy literature,” she said. “It’s a great entry point for young people and for all types of readers.”
The Black Comic Book Festival takes place on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27. Registration is free but organizers encourage visitors to register ahead of time here.