Most people are familiar with Marvel’s Black Panther, and some are aware of its connections to Afrofuturism, a framework to understand how the black imagination manifests visions of freedom. Beyond the Black Panther: Vision of Afrofuturism in American Comics explores how themes such as aesthetics, Black feminism, and community, common to Afrofuturism, shape contemporary Black comics. Beyond the Black Panther gives us a view of stories inspired by African folklore such as Is’nana the Were-Spider, science fiction adventures centered on a black female hero such as Matty’s Rocket, or vital social commentary about police violence such as I am Alfonso Jones. Curated by Dr. Julian Chambliss, this exhibition encourages visitors to engage with this exciting topic and expand their understanding of the black speculative tradition in comics.
Transfiguration: A Black Speculative Vision of Freedom
The featured artists include Ho Che Anderson, Tim Fielder, Krista Franklin, Nettrice Gaskins, Black Kirby (John Jennings and Stacey Robinson), and Intergalactic Soul (Marcus Kiser and Jason Woodberry).
Transfiguration is curated by Julian Chambliss, Ph.D., Professor of English, Michigan State University. The exhibition is part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Exhibition Series, which addresses issues of race, diversity, social justice, civil rights, and humanity to serve as a catalyst for dialogue and to enrich our community with new perspectives.
