Indian Comics Irregular #151

The last few months have been busy ones for Indians in comics. Here's a roundup
of the latest news and reviews:

* Comic Book Resources published a lengthy article on "Native Americans in
Comics." It presented interviews with me and seven other creators of Native
comics or characters.

* I sent out a press release condemning the SCALPED comic for its stereotypical
portrayal of Indians. Several automated portals, including one or two on
India's Indians, picked it up.

* Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo) has written a book titled "Native Americans in Comic
Books." It should come out this year and I’m looking forward to reading it.

* I created an Amazon.com list of "Best Books About Indians." Among them are
graphic novels such as COMANCHE MOON (ICI #142) and trade paperback
compilations.

* The RED PROPHET series, which Marvel is now publishing, continues to impress
me. As I reported in ICI #150, it's one of the best Native-themed comics in a
long time.

* The first issue of DESPERADOES: BUFFALO DREAMS, a mini-series by Jeff
Mariotte, featured Geronimo and Lozen in supporting roles. So far it’s nothing
special.

* I checked out an online preview of THE RAVEN, an independent series by Jay
Odjick that's found a publisher. It appears to offer your standard "lone
avenger vs. government conspiracy" story.

* DC launched a new version of the Black Condor in UNCLE SAM #3. This version
is a young Navajo who gets his powers from "Tocotl the Spider Woman," whoever
that is.

* Wildstorm launched a new version of its Gen13 series. One of the super-teens
is the Apache lesbian Sarah Rainmaker, but she had the smallest role of the
bunch in the first issue.

* DC also launched a new version of the early-'60s character Super-Chief. This
version is an angry veteran who gets his powers from his traditional but drunken
grandfather. Can you say "stereotypical"?

* Dynamite Comics is doing a new version of the Lone Ranger. In keeping with
recent trends, it depicts Tonto as a fierce, intelligent Indian who teaches the
Ranger everything he knows.

* I finally read the last chapter of NORTHWEST PASSAGE (ICI #130), in which
Indians save the day. This series ended about as well as it began: not great
but pretty good.

* I posted my review of RAVEN'S CHILDREN, an otherworldly fantasy with Arctic
Native-like cultures. My take: The cultures and characters are convincing but
too complex to follow.

* The DARKNESS CALLS comic by the Healthy Aboriginal Network (ICI #140)
continues to sell. The creators are now working on comics about diabetes and
staying in school.

* Mark Mindt (Lakota) has published a second issue of his KODA THE WARRIOR (ICI
#107). I hope it's more polished than the first issue was.

* I reviewed WILD STARS #1, an independent comic in which half-naked Indians
with tomahawks battle Nazi-like Europeans. I’d say give it a pass.

* I also commented on one of the worst Native-themed comics ever: Marvel's NFL
SUPERPRO #6. This one was so bad that the Hopi Tribe demanded its recall.

You can find links to all these items on my Native comics page at
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/nacomics.htm . For the latest news on Indians in
comics, visit my Newspaper Rock blog at
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/newsrock.htm .

Rob Schmidt
Blue Corn Comics