AFROFUTURES: Comics For The Hip Hop Generation
Launching on Kickstarter from RexCo Comics and boutique publisher Cosmic Lion Productions, AFROFUTURES is an exciting new concept album brought to life in comics magazine form — weaving together nine fresh new stories and three insightful articles, which speak to the narrative of Black futures, culminating in a cosmic slop of culture and influence.
Curated by Troy-Jeffrey Allen (O.D.B.: Lyrical Ruckus in the City, Chuck D presents Apocalypse ’91: Revolution Never Sleeps), this new 100+ page magazine brings together a diverse range of comics, creators and articles, designed to harness the narrative regarding Black futures. The material falls under, or relates to, the wider umbrella of “Black speculative fiction” — ranging from sci-fi and fantasy to action, drama, and beyond — complemented by a trio of articles that support the genres and stories found within.
“Over the last few years, there has been plenty of conversation about securing Black representation for upcoming generations,” says creator and curator, Troy-Jeffery Allen. “Typically, with a project like this, you’re supposed to deliver grand statements about how important it is that we’re doing something new and inclusive, but I’m not interested in putting that weight on AFROFUTURES. It’s not important, it’s fun! We’re just here to express ourselves creatively. AFROFUTURES is the statement.”
The series’ Master of Ceremonies is an artificially intelligent robot named 808. Looking back at us from the end of the world, 808 recontextualizes and remixes the saga of Black mythology — past, present, and future — as only a DJ could; creating an artistic jam session which makes the reader’s experience more akin to a listening party. Through 808’s beat-matching, the rhythm comes together — introducing readers to an alternate history where jazz singers hunt Nazis, Hip-Hop icons gather in the afterlife, superheroes rescue the first Black President of the United States, and more! By the end, the reader should feel as if they’ve gone on a visual journey through sound and time with 808.
“The magazine’s core purpose is to defy existing barriers and restraints put on Black creatives. This is why a 17+ age restriction is key,” adds Allen. “We invite the best creators to run free with their biggest and boldest ideas — inspiring Black readers to rethink their current selves and reimagine our past selves — then get motivated to relaunch what a Black future looks like together. We’re comic artists and writers, screenwriters, DJs, metal guitarists, jazz musicians, editors, animators, graffiti artists, starchildren, super art fighters, pothead journalists, horror filmmakers, and so much more. Just don’t call us a monolith.”
The Kickstarter campaign is now live and will run for the next 30 days until mid-July. In addition to digital and physical versions of the 100+ page magazine, backers will find a number of tiers and rewards designed to satisfy all tastes and budgets. There is also a special retail pledge level, which allows supportive retailers to purchase six copies of the magazine at a retail-friendly price.
