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African American Graphic Novels for Teens (or anyone)

By:

KendraWilk

Chicago Public Library

Staff-created list

A collection of great graphic novels with African American themes and characters. Most, but not all, have Black authors and artists as well.

By:

KendraWilk

Chicago Public Library

23 items

23 items

The Many Adventures of Miranda Mercury

The Many Adventures of Miranda Mercury

Vol. 1, Time Runs Out

by Thomas, Brandon

Book - 2011

This zany future-pulp collection of the "many adventures" of Miranda Mercury begins in the middle of the story, with many references to prior ad...Show more This zany future-pulp collection of the "many adventures" of Miranda Mercury begins in the middle of the story, with many references to prior adventures that do not yet exist. However, those adventures that do exist are enough to paint a picture of a gritty superhero who continues her exploits despite her own approaching doom. Show less

This zany future-pulp collection of the "many adventures" of Miranda Mercury begins in the middle of the story, with many references to prior ad...Show more This zany future-pulp collection of the "many adventures" of Miranda Mercury begins in the middle of the story, with many references to prior adventures that do not yet exist. However, those adventures that do exist are enough to paint a picture of a gritty superhero who continues her exploits despite her own approaching doom. Show less

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Still I Rise

Still I Rise

A Graphic History of African Americans

by Laird, Roland Owen

Paperback - 2009

This slim book gives a quick overview of African American history from 1619 to Barack Obama’s successful first presidential campaign. This slim book gives a quick overview of African American history from 1619 to Barack Obama’s successful first presidential campaign. Show less

This slim book gives a quick overview of African American history from 1619 to Barack Obama’s successful first presidential campaign. This slim book gives a quick overview of African American history from 1619 to Barack Obama’s successful first presidential campaign. Show less

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Yummy

Yummy

The Last Days of A Southside Shorty

by Neri, Greg

Paperback - 2010

This powerful award-winner tells the tale of “Yummy” Sandifer, an eleven year old who became mixed up with gang politics in the South Side neighborhood of Roseland in the early 1990s. This powerful award-winner tells the tale of “Yummy” Sandifer, an eleven year old who became mixed up with gang politics in the South Side neighborhood of Roseland in the early 1990s. Show less

This powerful award-winner tells the tale of “Yummy” Sandifer, an eleven year old who became mixed up with gang politics in the South Side neighborhood of Roseland in the early 1990s. This powerful award-winner tells the tale of “Yummy” Sandifer, an eleven year old who became mixed up with gang politics in the South Side neighborhood of Roseland in the early 1990s. Show less

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Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun

Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun

A Personal History of Violence

by Nicholas, Jamar

Paperback - 2010

Told through ten vignettes from the author’s adolescence in the Bronx, this tale tells of the escalation of violence through its various implements. Told through ten vignettes from the author’s adolescence in the Bronx, this tale tells of the escalation of violence through its various implements. Show less

Told through ten vignettes from the author’s adolescence in the Bronx, this tale tells of the escalation of violence through its various implements. Told through ten vignettes from the author’s adolescence in the Bronx, this tale tells of the escalation of violence through its various implements. Show less

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A.D

A.D

New Orleans After the Deluge

by Neufeld, Josh

Book - 2010

Deeply moving true stories of survival during and after Hurricane Katrina. Deeply moving true stories of survival during and after Hurricane Katrina. Show less

Deeply moving true stories of survival during and after Hurricane Katrina. Deeply moving true stories of survival during and after Hurricane Katrina. Show less

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Malcolm X

Malcolm X

A Graphic Biography

by Helfer, Andrew

Book - 2006

This intense little book gives a sympathetic yet unvarnished introduction to a complicated man who was central to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. This intense little book gives a sympathetic yet unvarnished introduction to a complicated man who was central to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. Show less

This intense little book gives a sympathetic yet unvarnished introduction to a complicated man who was central to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. This intense little book gives a sympathetic yet unvarnished introduction to a complicated man who was central to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. Show less

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Venus

Venus

Vol. 1, Daedalus One

by Morris, Jeffrey

Paperback - 2012

Well received by luminaries from Buzz Aldrin to David Brin, Daedalus features plausible and well researched science fiction and a brilliant African Americ...Show more Well received by luminaries from Buzz Aldrin to David Brin, Daedalus features plausible and well researched science fiction and a brilliant African American scientist embarking on an exploration of the near solar system, aided by artificial lifeforms called “exospheres”. Show less

Well received by luminaries from Buzz Aldrin to David Brin, Daedalus features plausible and well researched science fiction and a brilliant African Americ...Show more Well received by luminaries from Buzz Aldrin to David Brin, Daedalus features plausible and well researched science fiction and a brilliant African American scientist embarking on an exploration of the near solar system, aided by artificial lifeforms called “exospheres”. Show less

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African-American Classics

African-American Classics

Paperback - 2011

This lovely, accessible collection of classics includes authors such as Langston Hughes, W.E.B. DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston and Jean Toomer, illustrated by...Show more This lovely, accessible collection of classics includes authors such as Langston Hughes, W.E.B. DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston and Jean Toomer, illustrated by some of the best comics illustrators around, such as Jeremy Love, Afua Richardson, Kyle Baker, and Lance Tooks. Show less

This lovely, accessible collection of classics includes authors such as Langston Hughes, W.E.B. DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston and Jean Toomer, illustrated by...Show more This lovely, accessible collection of classics includes authors such as Langston Hughes, W.E.B. DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston and Jean Toomer, illustrated by some of the best comics illustrators around, such as Jeremy Love, Afua Richardson, Kyle Baker, and Lance Tooks. Show less

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Incognegro

Incognegro

by Johnson, Mat

Book - 2008

Set in the 1930’s, Incognegro tells the story of Zane Pinchback, an African American journalist light enough to pass for white. Pinchback does investigat...Show more Set in the 1930’s, Incognegro tells the story of Zane Pinchback, an African American journalist light enough to pass for white. Pinchback does investigative reporting about lynchings, but is drawn in personally when his brother stands accused of murder in a rural Southern town. Show less

Set in the 1930’s, Incognegro tells the story of Zane Pinchback, an African American journalist light enough to pass for white. Pinchback does investigat...Show more Set in the 1930’s, Incognegro tells the story of Zane Pinchback, an African American journalist light enough to pass for white. Pinchback does investigative reporting about lynchings, but is drawn in personally when his brother stands accused of murder in a rural Southern town. Show less

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Runaways

Runaways

Vol. 3, The Good Die Young

by Vaughan, Brian K.

Paperback - 2011

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Runaways

Runaways

[Vol. 1], Pride & Joy

by Vaughan, Brian K.

Paperback - 2004

Despite his foibles later in the series, Alex Wilder remains one of the best written characters in comics, and Runaways remains one of the finest teen superhero comics. Despite his foibles later in the series, Alex Wilder remains one of the best written characters in comics, and Runaways remains one of the finest teen superhero comics. Show less

Despite his foibles later in the series, Alex Wilder remains one of the best written characters in comics, and Runaways remains one of the finest teen superhero comics. Despite his foibles later in the series, Alex Wilder remains one of the best written characters in comics, and Runaways remains one of the finest teen superhero comics. Show less

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Runaways

Runaways

Vol. 2, Teenage Wasteland

by Vaughan, Brian K.

Unknown - 2011

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Runaways

Runaways

Vol. 4, True Believers

by Vaughan, Brian K.

Unknown - 2011

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Princeless

Princeless

Book 1, Save Yourself

by Whitley, Jeremy

Book - 2012

Disney leaving you a little short on Black princesses? Try Princeless, the story of Princess Adrienne, one princess who’s tired of waiting to be rescued....Show more Disney leaving you a little short on Black princesses? Try Princeless, the story of Princess Adrienne, one princess who’s tired of waiting to be rescued. Join Adrienne and her guardian dragon, Sparky, as they begin their own quest in an adventure designed for those who are tired of waiting to be rescued… and who are ready to save themselves. Show less

Disney leaving you a little short on Black princesses? Try Princeless, the story of Princess Adrienne, one princess who’s tired of waiting to be rescued....Show more Disney leaving you a little short on Black princesses? Try Princeless, the story of Princess Adrienne, one princess who’s tired of waiting to be rescued. Join Adrienne and her guardian dragon, Sparky, as they begin their own quest in an adventure designed for those who are tired of waiting to be rescued… and who are ready to save themselves. Show less

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Green Lantern Corps

Green Lantern Corps

Vol. 2, Alpha War

by Tomasi, Peter

Book - 2013

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Green Lantern Corps

Green Lantern Corps

Volume 1, Fearsome

by Tomasi, Peter

Book - 2012

John Stewart is one of the most asked about Black superheroes, due to the popularity of the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited television series....Show more John Stewart is one of the most asked about Black superheroes, due to the popularity of the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited television series. However, there is not a good stand-alone graphic novel with him as the primary focus that is readily available in print. This installment follows all of the Green Lanterns, and has John Stewart as a well developed part of the team. Show less

John Stewart is one of the most asked about Black superheroes, due to the popularity of the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited television series....Show more John Stewart is one of the most asked about Black superheroes, due to the popularity of the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited television series. However, there is not a good stand-alone graphic novel with him as the primary focus that is readily available in print. This installment follows all of the Green Lanterns, and has John Stewart as a well developed part of the team. Show less

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Static Shock

Static Shock

Rebirth of the Cool

by McDuffie, Dwayne

Book - 2009

This collects the first four issues of the late Dwayne McDuffie’s most iconic character, plus the four issues of the follow-up miniseries Rebirth of the C...Show more This collects the first four issues of the late Dwayne McDuffie’s most iconic character, plus the four issues of the follow-up miniseries Rebirth of the Cool. Unlike some older series, the classic content could not be better- it has aged well and is as fresh today as it was at the time of its first release. Show less

This collects the first four issues of the late Dwayne McDuffie’s most iconic character, plus the four issues of the follow-up miniseries Rebirth of the C...Show more This collects the first four issues of the late Dwayne McDuffie’s most iconic character, plus the four issues of the follow-up miniseries Rebirth of the Cool. Unlike some older series, the classic content could not be better- it has aged well and is as fresh today as it was at the time of its first release. Show less

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Bayou

Bayou

by Love, Jeremy

Book - 2009-

This wonderful award-winning series follows the story of Lee Wagstaff, a girl growing up in 1930s era Mississippi. Lee’s friend, a White girl, is carried...Show more This wonderful award-winning series follows the story of Lee Wagstaff, a girl growing up in 1930s era Mississippi. Lee’s friend, a White girl, is carried off by a swamp monster, and Lee’s father is accused of the crime. Lee plunges into the bayou to find out what happened to her friend and clear her father’s name. Show less

This wonderful award-winning series follows the story of Lee Wagstaff, a girl growing up in 1930s era Mississippi. Lee’s friend, a White girl, is carried...Show more This wonderful award-winning series follows the story of Lee Wagstaff, a girl growing up in 1930s era Mississippi. Lee’s friend, a White girl, is carried off by a swamp monster, and Lee’s father is accused of the crime. Lee plunges into the bayou to find out what happened to her friend and clear her father’s name. Show less

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Captain America

Captain America

Truth

by Morales, Robert

Book - 2009

This is not a flawlessly told story, but it is a truly interesting and discussion-provoking one. The appallingly plausible idea is this: prior to trying ...Show more This is not a flawlessly told story, but it is a truly interesting and discussion-provoking one. The appallingly plausible idea is this: prior to trying out the Super-Soldier Serum on Captain America, scientists tested variant formulas on Black soldiers without their knowledge or consent. Highly reminiscent of the real-life Tuskegee syphilis experiments conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service from the 1930s-1970s, in which impoverished Black men in the rural South were studied without treatment and occasionally intentionally infected with syphilis so that scientists could study the progression of the untreated disease. Show less

This is not a flawlessly told story, but it is a truly interesting and discussion-provoking one. The appallingly plausible idea is this: prior to trying ...Show more This is not a flawlessly told story, but it is a truly interesting and discussion-provoking one. The appallingly plausible idea is this: prior to trying out the Super-Soldier Serum on Captain America, scientists tested variant formulas on Black soldiers without their knowledge or consent. Highly reminiscent of the real-life Tuskegee syphilis experiments conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service from the 1930s-1970s, in which impoverished Black men in the rural South were studied without treatment and occasionally intentionally infected with syphilis so that scientists could study the progression of the untreated disease. Show less

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Nat Turner

Nat Turner

Kyle Baker

by Baker, Kyle

Book - 2008

This beautiful and critically-acclaimed graphic novel is nearly wordless, relying on Baker’s stark visuals to tell the story of the brutal slave rebellion. This beautiful and critically-acclaimed graphic novel is nearly wordless, relying on Baker’s stark visuals to tell the story of the brutal slave rebellion. Show less

This beautiful and critically-acclaimed graphic novel is nearly wordless, relying on Baker’s stark visuals to tell the story of the brutal slave rebellion. This beautiful and critically-acclaimed graphic novel is nearly wordless, relying on Baker’s stark visuals to tell the story of the brutal slave rebellion. Show less

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Ultimate Comics

Ultimate Comics

Vol. 4, Spider-Man

by Bendis, Brian Michael

Book - 2013

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Ultimate Comics

Ultimate Comics

Vol. 2, Spider-Man

by Bendis, Brian Michael

Book - 2012

When I first encountered this comic I was a little cynical, feeling that they were trying to squeeze in two minorities for the price of one, but Miles Mor...Show more When I first encountered this comic I was a little cynical, feeling that they were trying to squeeze in two minorities for the price of one, but Miles Morales is a delightful and well written character whose language is natural without being stereotypical. His family and friends are equally well-written- even his shady uncle, who comes closest to being a ‘hood stereotype has more to him than initially meets the eye. Show less

When I first encountered this comic I was a little cynical, feeling that they were trying to squeeze in two minorities for the price of one, but Miles Mor...Show more When I first encountered this comic I was a little cynical, feeling that they were trying to squeeze in two minorities for the price of one, but Miles Morales is a delightful and well written character whose language is natural without being stereotypical. His family and friends are equally well-written- even his shady uncle, who comes closest to being a ‘hood stereotype has more to him than initially meets the eye. Show less

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Black Comix

Black Comix

African American Independent Comics Art and Culture

by Duffy, Damian

Book - 2010

This is a gorgeous and amazing book that introduces artists and authors you have never even heard of, but who are doing amazing work nonetheless, as well as placing that work into a scholarly framework and historical context. This is a gorgeous and amazing book that introduces artists and authors you have never even heard of, but who are doing amazing work nonetheless, as well as placing that work into a scholarly framework and historical context. Show less

This is a gorgeous and amazing book that introduces artists and authors you have never even heard of, but who are doing amazing work nonetheless, as well as placing that work into a scholarly framework and historical context. This is a gorgeous and amazing book that introduces artists and authors you have never even heard of, but who are doing amazing work nonetheless, as well as placing that work into a scholarly framework and historical context. Show less

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