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African American Graphic Novels for Teens (or anyone)

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

Chicago Public Library

23 items

  • 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…
    BookLos Angeles, Calif. : Archaia Entertainment, [2011]
  • Still I Rise

    a Graphic History of African Americans

    Laird, Roland Owen
    This slim book gives a quick overview of African American history from 1619 to Barack Obama’s successful first presidential campaign.
    PaperbackNew York : Sterling Pub. Co., 2009.
  • Yummy

    the Last Days of a Southside Shorty

    Neri, Greg
    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.
    PaperbackNew York : Lee & Low Books, c2010.
  • Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun

    a Personal History of Violence

    Nicholas, Jamar
    Told through ten vignettes from the author’s adolescence in the Bronx, this tale tells of the escalation of violence through its various implements.
    PaperbackBoston, Mass. : Beacon Press, c2010.
  • A.D.

    New Orleans After the Deluge

    Neufeld, Josh
    Deeply moving true stories of survival during and after Hurricane Katrina.
    BookNew York : Pantheon, [2010], c2009.
  • Malcolm X

    a Graphic Biography

    Helfer, Andrew
    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.
    BookNew York : Hill and Wang, 2006.
  • 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…
    Paperback[St. Paul, MN] : FutureDude Studios, LLC., [2012]
  • 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,…
    PaperbackMount Horeb, Wis. : Eureka Productions, 2011.
  • 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…
    BookNew York : Vertigo, c2008.
  • 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.
    PaperbackNew York : Marvel Age, 2004.
  • 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…
    Book[USA] : Action Lab Comics, 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. However, there is not a good stand-alone graphic novel with him as the primary…
    BookNew York : DC Comics, c2012.
  • Static Shock

    Rebirth of the Cool

    McDuffie, Dwayne
    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…
    BookNew York, N.Y. : DC Comics, c2009.
  • 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…
    BookNew York : DC Comics, c2009-
  • 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…
    BookNew York : Marvel Pub., 2009.
  • 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.
    BookNew York : Abrams, 2008.