PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A new exhibit at the University of Pennsylvania highlights Black comic book heroes, their creators and communities.
Curated by Penn Associate Vice Provost Sean Quimby and Curator of Civic Engagement Samantha Hill, The Black Hero’s Journey aims to tell the origin stories of popular heroes like Black Panther, Miles Morales, Storm and Luke Cage, among others.
The history of Black comic book heroes traces its roots to Philadelphia in 1947, when Philadelphia Record writer Orrin Evans created Lion Man for All-Negro Comics.
“The staff of the Record went on strike,” Quimby explained, showing off a copy of the super-rare comic. “And so… Orrin and his brother and several other individuals created what is effectively the first Black comic book.”
By extension, making Philadelphia home to the very first Black comic book superhero.
Hill says the exhibit also profiles pioneering Black comic creators like Dwayne McDuffie, co-creator of Static Shock, as well as Philly’s own Guy and Dawud Anyabwile Sims, the brothers behind Big City Comics and Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline.
“One thing we wanted people to think about is not just the comic, but also the creator,” she explained. “‘Who are the people who created these stories and why are they significant?’”
The Black Hero’s Journey is currently on display at Penn’s Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center at 34th Street and Walnut Street. The free exhibit is open to the public and runs through May 13, 2027, with the gallery open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Black Hero’s Journey details the history of Black comic heroes and the people who created them
The Black Hero’s Journey details the history of Black comic heroes and the people who created them
