In stores now- BLACK HISTORY LEADERS trade paperback

DOPE Father's Day Gift- "BLACK COUNT" by Tom Reiss

My wife is very good at buying good Father's Day gifts. This Father's Day, she surprised me with a copy of Tom Reiss's NY Times Bestseller The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo, which I have wanted BAD since I first heard about it on NPR last fall. 

YOU! MUST! LEARN!

the Museum of Uncut Funk is officially the shiznit people! they CONSISTANTLY educate me on the untold history of black comics. their feature on Black Music and Comics not only covered books i knew about (KRS ONE's Break the Chain), but they dropped dime on books about Public Enemy, Ice-T and 2 Live Crew (cover seen here) that i never even HEARD of... and that's just the hip hop stuff! but the Museum always goes deep to break you off the knowledge, and sports a comicbook collection any comics nerd would covet! peep 'em here...
holla!
-samax
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Respect the Architect

I just read a DOOOPE article on African-American Comics publisher Bertram A Fitzgerald on the Museum of Uncut Funk Blog... peep:

"During the decade in which he produced 16 volumes of Golden Legacy Comics, Bertram A Fitzgerald left a legacy of his own, comprising of the most successful series of Afrocentric comics to date. The Golden Legacy comics are thoroughly professional in their writing, art, and production values, and full of enough historical surprises to interest adult readers presented in a package accessible to younger readers." i encourage you to get familiar here.

ghettoManga.com

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I Am Malcolm X

i just finished reading this great biography of Malcolm X yesterday. not being a Muslim myself, i still can't see how any black person (especially a black man) can resist feeling a swell of pride at the mention of Malcolm. He remains one of the strongest examples of black masculinity ever seen in American culture, and the arc of his public persona across the length of his career is fasciniating. the way he changes his position on race based on his pilgrimage to Mecca stands as an example of how one should react when confronted with the truth.

the author Andrew Helfer is elegant in his narration and adaptation of quotes for dialogue, and does a good job of letting pictures be worth their thousand words whenever possible. artist Randy DuBurke is good at capturing likenesses and like a film biographer, does a great job of portraying the emotions in scenes that were not privy to the public eye. we are reminded that Malcolm, though he was and remains a giant of history, was a living, breathing, vulnerable man like any other. his greatness comes not from super-power, but from the inner strength of his convictions. this is a great, great book.

peace,

-samax

ghettoManga.com

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not HIS story, your story!

the term "graphic novel" is thrown around a lot these days. for some people, it's just a way to say "comic book" without feeling like a dork. although the term is generally held as a badge of legitimacy, in the case of Still I Rise, it doesn't do the book justice. for one thing, this joint isn't a novel at all, but a Graphic History of African Americans. from the infancy of the middle passage and slave trade to the election of that one dude as the first black President, Roland and Taneshia Nash Laird painstakingly plot out the 400+ year history of African America, and the rock-solid cartooning of Elihu "Adofo" Bey (Neverknots) will make sure you feel every bump along the way.

the authors use duel narrators with distinct perspectives to walk the reader through history with a broad view not skewed to just one narrow ideology. Bey's intelligent use of cartooning makes heavy ideas accessible and the book's humor lightens tough situations and moments without erasing their gravity. because the research and hard work of the writers and cartoonist covers so many topics, historical figures, and events (and makes it look effortless), this book will create or reawaken curiousity about black history in children and adults that read it. it will make you laugh, it will make you angry, and it will fill you with pride and hope. every african-american family, every library, and every comic book enthusiast should have a copy of this book. and when you get your copy, don't stash it on a musty shelf. put it on your coffee table... where it can do some good! as for me, the copy which the publisher was good enough to give me to review is going to my local public library, but not until i buy another one for my own coffee table.

holla!

-samax

ghettoManga.com

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Biggie Schools Your Ass

This comicbook-style joint is the intro to Will Rouch’s mixtape (Know My Name Vol 1), which finds him traveling back through time to learn all about hip-hop history. He’s guided by a clone of The Notorious BIG who visits him from the future. did you get that? okay, so The art on this is by this cat out of Texas named Profesone, and directed by legendary hip-hop visual artist Skam 2, who was the creative force behind artwork for Eminem’s The Slim Shady LP and A Tribe Called Quest’s Beats, Rhymes and Life, among others.
holla!
-ghettoManga.com
comics.hipHop.news.art.culture

Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans

I just found out my man Elihu Bey did the art for a graphic novel adaptation of the history of Black America called Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans. as soon as i cop it, i'll be sure to review it here! but you can beat me to it... click the pic to order on Amazon.com

here's the sales pitch:

"Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans is a critically acclaimed work with an impressive scope: the entire history of Black America, told in an accessible graphic-novel form. Updated from its original version—which ended with the Million Man March—it now extends from the early days of colonial slavery right through to Barack Obama’s groundbreaking presidential campaign. Compared by many to Art Spiegelman’s Maus, Still I Rise is a breathtaking achievement that celebrates the collective African-American memory, imagination, and spirit."

sounds good to me!

-ghettoManga.com

New Obama Poster

To commemorate one of the most unlikely events in American history, i made this poster of Barack Obama. there's 11x17 posters, larger posters, tee shirts and other gear featuring President Obama available for purchase in the Ziontific store now.
holla!
-gM

Jamar Gets VIOLENT!!!

that dude Jamar Nicholas (Detective Boogaloo) has been tapped to do the graphic novel adaptation of Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence in America an assignment that marks a next step for the Philly-based cartoonist. in addition to advancing his career, this gig appeals to Jamar for other reasons.
“…When Beacon Press approached me with the opportunity to do a graphic adaptation of Geoffrey Canada’s memoir Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence in America" says Jamar, "I read his book and saw myself in its pages. I knew exactly what a young Geoff went through, growing up in an unforgiving South Bronx neighborhood in the 1960s. Never mind that his story took place 15 years before I was born, I felt instantly connected. This same story is repeated every day in every inner city in the country but with higher, deadlier stakes at earlier ages. The only difference is that I didn’t worry about getting shot when I was a kid - that’s not the case, nowadays.”
-ghettoManga.com

Get Your BOARDS Up!

there's definitely a strong mutual influence between hip hop culture and skater community. that can be heard in the lyrics of underground rappers, or seen in the graf and tattoo inspired skate deck art. peep some examples in the slide show below, from the book Disposable: A History of Skateboard Art
which you can cop by clicking the pic on the left.
-ghettoManga.com
comic.hipHop.news.art.culture

Hector Plasm makes Wizards top 200!

Hector Plasm: De Mortuis by storytellers Benito Cereno (Tales from the Bully Pulpit) and Nate Bellegarde (Atome Eve), chronicles the adventures of Hector Plasm, a cat who roams the earth protecting the living from the dead and vice versa. De Mortuis collects Hector's previous appearances from Invincible and Western Tales Of Terror as well as over 30 pages of all-new spine-tingling adventures, and (oh by the way) was named to Wizard's "The 200 Greatest Comics in Wizard's History [July 1991 to Now]" which as Nate said is "kind of a big deal..." . for the record, De Mortuis was colored by Jacob Baake and Randall Whiteis with a snazzy cover by Cory Walker and Alex Stodolnik.
holla!
-gM

i'm Sayin' though!

i read this on yahoo:

By KATHY MATHESON, Associated Press Writer Sat Feb 23, 4:31 AM ET PHILADELPHIA - As a child growing up in the 1940s, Charles Blockson was once told by a white teacher that black people had made no contributions to history.

Even as a fourth-grader, Blockson, who is black, knew better. So he began collecting proof. (more...)

Real Nigga Quotes

A Few Words from RhymeFest
"Well, by now, some of you have heard it; most of you have not.
A song from my upcoming EL CHE album has leaked. So instead of complaining about it or continuing my futile attempts to hide its existence until my album's release date, I will share it with you: my comrades.The name of this song is REAL NIGGA QUOTES, produced by and featuring DJ Premier.

This song is filled with famous quotes from great people throughout history. If you listen close to my lyrics, I'm sure that you can pick out a few that you are familiar with. On the 3rd verse, I even allow Premo to let loose with a hot 16 of his favorite revolutionary quotes.On sites such as HipHopDx.com and Okayplayer.com [where the leak of the song first appeared], there were interesting debates between Black & White Hip-Hop fans about whether this song was necessary, divisive or flat-out Black racism.

In the defense of my work, I will say that we as a Hip-Hop audience feed ourselves with all kinds of cultural nonsense when it comes to rap music. No one ever complains about Black racism when we are calling each other hoes, niggaz or bitches in a way that promotes self-hate and violence. I rarely hear complaints from anyone when the d-boys glorify the spewing of poison (crack, coke, etc.) throughout our communities. My album EL CHE is not a Black power album; it is a PEOPLE power album. It will represent the taking back of our communities; the disenfranchised, no matter what race, color or creed they consist of.The first song I released was ANGRY BLACK MAN ON A ELEVATOR, where everybody got it; from the ignorant-ass gangbanger without a purpose to Anna Nicole Smith. I spared no one. As much wrath as you will feel from this album upon its release, you will also see elements of mercy and love. Not much, but a little bit.However, I will stand firm in my belief that a color-blind society is not in the best interest of Hip-Hop, America or the world. We must confront the disenfranchisement, the stereotypes and the lies that are perpetrated on us all. Black people are not inherent criminals. White people are not against all people of color. And not all Brown people are plotting on taking your job. Hip-Hop is our way... it's my way... of speaking truth to power. So as you listen, enjoy or disagree with my new song REAL NIGGA QUOTES, all I ask is that you hear it not with a critical ear but an insightful mind. By doing this, you will have the best listening experience.So with no further ado, head over to my profile for song number two: REAL NIGGA QUOTES.GET PLUGGED!

Peace,Fest"

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A Message from KRS ONE

Hip Hop Appreciation Week begins on May 14th 2007 and concludes on May 21st 2007. Hip Hop Appreciation Week began in 1998 as a time set aside every third week in May to acknowledge and appreciate the existence of Hip Hop itself. During this time (May 14th-21st 2007) the Hip Hop community refocuses itself through a collective review and update of its own history and core principles and elements. Principles- peace, love, unity and having fun. Elements- Breakin, Emceein, Graffiti Art, Deejayin, Beat Boxin, Street Fashion, Street Language, Street Knowledge and Street Entrepreneurialism. The idea is to celebrate Hip Hop itself.
During Hip Hop Appreciation Week artists can be asked to give sound advice on what they've learned about life and living Hip Hop this year. Schools of all sorts are encouraged to discuss Hip Hop academically and critically amongst its students and teachers. Radio DJs can upgrade their play of "conscious" Rap music over the airwaves and parents can discuss the true meaning and history of Hip Hop with their children.

During Hip Hop Appreciation Week the Hip Hop community is encouraged to:
Give the next person the right of way. Allow people to pass you. Do not block a person's forward movement.
Donate your skill or profession to someone who cannot afford it.At the supermarket give your change to the person behind you in line.Be quick to compliment and slow to criticize.
Be ready to forgive and move on.
Give 10% of your salary this week to your child's teacher.
Ease a neighbor's pressure by donating your time toward the assistance of some duty they must undertake. Give of yourself this week.Let us show our respect for Hip Hop with a sincere respect for one another.
Men—support the women in your life. Women—comfort the men in your life. And let us all remain committed to the well-being of our children; they are the reason we do what we do. Love your children. Reserve a special love for them. Give them your time and your attention. Be patient with them. Touch them, hug them, play with them and be sure to teach them, advise them, protect them, discipline them, and most of all LISTEN to them. One of the best ways to teach our children that they are valuable is to value them. Often we must compliment them, point out their special qualities to them, fulfill their prayers, support their legitimate dreams and aspirations and let them know that we are interested in them. They are the future of Hip Hop! The preservation of our children IS the preservation of Hip Hop.
HAPPY HIP HOP APPRECIATION WEEK!
There it is.
KRS ONE
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