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Please join the August Wilson African American Cultural Center for a special reception and film screening celebrating the opening of our new exhibition COLLECTIONS IN BLACK: A CELEBRATION OF BLACK COMIC BOOK CULTURE by filmmaker and collector Phillip Thompson
Friday, July 26, 2024
5:30pm gallery preview
6:15pm film screening & panel discussion with Phill Thompson, Shawn Martinbrough, Kahlil Gearon
8:15pm Exhibit opening party, with special guests The Union DJs
Phillip Thompson’s “Collections in Black” delves into the African American experience within comic book culture and sheds light on our often overlooked history within the culture in a truly unique way. For far too long, the rich history and significant impact of African Americans in shaping the comic book industry have been overshadowed.
“My film and exhibition are here to change that narrative and ensure that these incredible contributions are not only recognized but celebrated.”
– Phillip Thompson
Collections in Black: A Celebration of Black Comic Book Culture delves into the significant contributions of African American collectors, artists, writers, and creators from the Golden Age of comics to the present. The exhibition presents Black comic book culture, featuring rare items and rich narratives around African Americans in the history of comic art.
Starting with the Golden Age, it showcases trailblazers like Jackie Ormes and Matt Baker, who paved the way for future generations. The exhibit also features original artwork from contemporary luminaries Shawn Martinbrough and John Jennings, embodying dynamic storytelling and vibrant artistry. Rare comic books and drawings from esteemed collectors such as Phillip Thompson (DJ Big Phill), Kahlil Gearon, and more offer unique insights into the diverse representation of Black characters and stories. Notably, the exhibit includes works from Larry Stroman and Todd Johnson, co-creators of Tribe Comic, the most successful independently published Black comic books.
Collections in Black: A Celebration of Black Comic Book Culture the exhibition honors the legacy and ongoing contributions of African American creators in the comic book world.
The film and exhibit feature a potpourri of archival comic material, which includes popular Black characters like The Falcon, Luke Cage and Black Panther; items like the 1941, four-page Joe Louis comic published in True Comics #5 and illustrators and cartoonists including Larry Fuller, writer and illustrator of Ebon, the first comic with a Black superhero, published in 1970.
Proclaiming that “Pittsburgh is the Mecca of Black comic book culture,” Thompson spotlights the contributions of The Pittsburgh Courier, which published Black comic strips, and cartoonists Jackie Ormes and Matt Baker.
Contemporary artist, Shawn Martinbrough, is featured as well. Shawn will be a special guest at the opening reception. Martinbrough’s work has been published by DC Comics, Marvel, Dark Horse, and he is the writer of “Red Hood: The Hill” for DC Comics and the artist of Neil Gaiman’s “Anansi Boys” for Dark Horse Comics.
Produced by his company, 33 and a Third Media, the film, documents Phill’s trek across the United States chronicling the overlooked, yet lucrative history and culture of African American comic book collectors. Thompson was inspired to make this film to document this hidden, but important part of Black life.
Biography
Phillip Thompson, professionally known as Big Phill, discovered his passion for DJing, music production, and filmmaking during his formative years. His early immersion in these creative pursuits enabled him to hone his craft and develop a distinctive style that has captivated audiences throughout his career. In the summer of 2000, Phillip premiered his inaugural film, The Archives, at the Andy Warhol Museum. This documentary offered a glimpse into Pittsburgh’s hip-hop landscape. In a strategic move to consolidate his passions for film, music, and community engagement, Phillip founded 33 and a Third Media. Under this innovative platform, he seamlessly integrated visual and auditory elements to connect with diverse communities and foster meaningful dialogue. His dedication to collecting and sharing cultural treasures has inspired his latest project, Collections in Black, a documentary film featuring interviews with artists across the country and documents some of the rarest comic and art collections.
Thompson’s documentary film and the accompanying exhibit will run through January 12, 2025 in the AWAACC’s Claude Worthington Benedum and Victoria Galleries. Gallery hours are 3:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday and Friday and 12:00 – 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
An expanded Director’s Cut, with footage from the exhibit, will be released in the future.
For more information: https://awaacc.org/event/collections-in-black-a-celebration-of-black-comic-book-culture/
Phillip Thompson aka Big Phill is a 2024 B.U.I.L.D. Artist-in-Residence. His residency is made possible by the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
