Changing the Narrative: The Rise of POC Representation in Comics
The big six of The Way of Paman Comics.
Face it, for a long, long time, the comic book world has been as white as the driven snow. That is a fact. It’s not up for debate. Superheroes of color? They were harder to find than a needle in a haystack. A Black needle in a White haystack. The lack of representation didn't just affect the number of diverse characters on our comic book shelves, it shaped how People of Color saw themselves in the world of pop culture. Can you imagine a world where every hero looks like you, faces the same struggles as you, triumphs like you? That's representation at work. That is what’s necessary.
To put it bluntly, representation matters. It's like seeing yourself in the mirror for the first time. A mirror that reflects not just your face, but your culture, your struggles, your triumphs, your very essence. It tells you, "Hey, you matter. Your story matters. The space you take up in the world belongs to YOU." It's empowering. It's validating. It’s about damn time.
Enter "The Way of Paman". We've decided to help throw open the windows and let a bit of fresh air in. Like several other companies in this space, we're making comic books and novels that are more than just splashing some hip-hop jargon and a dash of AAVE in a couple of thought bubbles and some flashy characters with the word Black in their hero names. We're crafting stories that reflect the realities and experiences of People of Color. The good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly – we're not shying away from anything.
Page 24 of Issue 1 of Dark Sentinel Origins.
Our initial offering, Dark Sentinel, takes cues from Batman and Punisher archetypes, but then asks the question: What would a Black man with billions of dollars seeking to make real change do? That character takes on Police brutality, cultural apathy, and systemic racism on the ground level, and he had his conceptual origins during the George Floyd murder. Our next character, Damion, deals with displacement within the diaspora. The idea of being taken from a place you know and thrown into one you don’t, with no memory of your heritage. There’s so much more to come! Take a stroll through our universe and you'll meet characters as diverse as the diaspora itself. They exist in different time periods, face off against poignant villains or life itself, and always, always keep it 100% real. From sci-fi to romance, from high fantasy to gritty realism – you'll find POC voices echoing through every genre.
Our characters aren't just POC skins on old archetypes, they are fully fleshed out beings with their own stories, their own trials and tribulations, their own victories. These are Afrocentric comic books and graphic novels that tell the tales we've been craving to read.
Damion
To cut a long story short, we're here to help change the game. "The Way of Paman" is committed to bringing POC voices into the spotlight where they belong. We're about inclusivity, diversity, and yes, good ol’ fashioned superhero carnage. So, if you're tired of the same old, same old, and ready to dive into a world that celebrates People of Color in all their glory, check out our range of products. Support diversity, support representation, and let's show the world that our stories are just as heroic, just as thrilling, and just as worthy of being told.
And hey, if you're as excited as I am about our upcoming releases, you might want to swing by the Way of Paman store and grab some swag, or subscribe to the Patreon. Trust me, you'll want to be part of this journey.
Dark Sentinel
Stay tuned, folks. The revolution will be illustrated.
