AFROFUTURES: A new glimpse at “Earth The Oldest Computer” featuring 808

Wassup, Afrofuturists?

This is Mervyn McKoy’s artwork from “Earth: The Oldest Computer,” our intro story inside AFROFUTURES. The purpose of this opening tale is to introduce you to 808, the Master of Ceremony behind AFROFUTURES.

I’ve known Mervyn for years and always wanted to find the right project for us to team up on. He originally worked with my partner-in-crime Nick Allen on a pair of books called Giant Robot Warrior Maintenance Crew and C-Listers.

I can’t say enough about the combined design sense of Nicki McKoy and Mervyn McKoy. Both were integral in “building” 808 and bringing her to life. The pages Mervyn is making are nuts and I’m very excited for everyone to see our data-driven dance hall queen travel across AFROFUTURES…and beyond. (People already love her!)

For those of you wondering why “robot Elvis” makes an appearance in a book called AFROFUTURES… well, it’s not lost on me that “The King” has long been accused of stealing the spotlight from Black artists. Ray Charles in particular took issue with Elvis Presley being dubbed the “King of Rock And Roll.” During a Bob Costas interview, Ray expressed frustration over greatness being bestowed on Elvis, stating “I think it’s a piece of bunk…I know too many artists that are far greater.”

So, I figured 808, our futuristic avatar of Black music, turning her back on him was appropriate.

I will point out that artists like Rosetta Tharpe and B.B. King had a more favorable attitude towards Elvis. Personally, I’ve never had a strong opinion on him, but context and history are always important.

Speaking robots and artists. I just wanted to leave this here for the sake of transparency…

AFROFUTURES arrives February 2025 from RexCo and Cosmic Lion Productions.

See you in the future.