Media Release -- When comic book fans think of “Black Superheroes” one name stands out as an iconic representation of Black heroes in the industry: Powerman (aka Luke Cage), who has been exciting fans since his first appearance in Hero for Hire #1 published in June 1972. These days the powerful hero has been re-imagined from his ‘70’s origin. Trading in his highly- recognizable silk shirt and silver headband for a three piece suit and fedora, renowned artist and illustrator Shawn Martinbrough takes an alternative approach to the proud, wise and “bullet-proof” African- American character in Luke Cake: Noir. Martinbrough equips the series with just enough dramatic lighting and deep shadows to recreate the classic style found in crime and detective driven storytelling of the Film Noir era. Set against a backdrop of alcohol prohibition and civil rights unrest, Martinbrough illustrates drama, heroism and cinema onto the comic page. Martinbrough will be on hand at the 9th Annual East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) on Saturday, May 15th, 2010 to discuss this work and his latest publication How to Draw Noir Comics.
Philadelphia, PA - May 14 & 15, 2010 - The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention, Inc. (ECBACC, Inc.), America’s premiere Black comic book convention, features publishers, authors and artists who celebrate the importance of youth literacy, creativity and positive storytelling. ECBACC, Inc. kicks off the two-day convention on Friday evening, May 14, 2010, from 6:30p.m. - 9p.m. with a FREE reception and awards ceremony at the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) located at 701 Arch St. The Convention culminates on Saturday, May 15, 2010, from 10a.m. - 7p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Center City located at 1800 Market St. with a day of networking, panel discussions, film screenings, a comic book marketplace, and adult and youth workshops. Admission for Saturday is $15 for adults; FREE for youth 12 and under.
ECBACC, Inc. hosts a comic book convention that uses superhero mythology to promote literacy. The convention offers workshops and activities dedicated to promoting literacy, creativity and positive Black super-powered images. “The great thing about this is that the ECBACC was founded in Philadelphia, the city of many of the nation’s firsts --- the first capital, university, library, museum, public park, hospital, bank, zoo, prison --- and the very first independent Black comic book: All-Negro Comics created by Orrin C. Evans in 1947,” said Yumy Odom, Founder and President of ECBACC, Inc., and a self-described archivist of the Africentric comic book tradition who has been using comic books as a classroom resource and reference since 1982.
