Indian Comics Irregular #107

Last year saw the debut of KODA THE WARRIOR, a high-minded Lakota
comic book. This year a second issue of KODA has appeared. Two
articles give some background on the title:

The vibrant red and blue inks jump from the pulpy pages, as KODA
the Warrior is ready to tackle a new adventure. The American
Indian Superhero, star and role model in a series of educational
comic books, is fighting negativity in his second volume.

KODA, which means "friend" in the Dakota language, springs from the
imagination of writer/illustrator Mark L. Mindt, an enrolled member
of the Spirit Lake Nation and educator at United Tribes Technical
College. Mindt introduced the action hero to school audiences with
a premier edition last year. (Indianz.com, 2/2/04)

Recently Mindt shared the premiere edition of the Koda comic book
with his own art students at Theodore Jamerson Elementary School on
the United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) campus in Bismarck, ND,
where Mindt is also pursuing another degree in art and marketing.
"Koda The Warrior isn't your normal, ordinary comic book," said
Mindt. "It's a cultural tool for educating and building tomorrow's
leaders. Koda is a Native American superhero who gains strength
and power by practicing and encouraging good values and servant
leadership." (Tribal College Journal, Summer 2003)

Indeed KODA isn't your ordinary comic book. As Mindt said, its
purpose is to encourage good values and fight negativity--just what a
typical kid DOESN'T want in a comic. KODA is educational RATHER THAN
entertaining, alas.

Rob's Review

In issue #1, Koda meets a spirit warrior named Walking Thunder. They
fight until Walking Thunder decides Koda may be worthy. He takes Koda
through a sweat lodge, sends him on a vision quest, and grants him the
powers of the eagle, buffalo, wolf, and bear. Koda fixes his father's
truck and departs.

The good: Koda's costume is a bold mix of modern and traditional
elements. The story shows how a young man comes of age through rites
of passage. Key words are written in Dakota as well as English. Text
pages explain the warrior's code and the medicine wheel.

The bad: The art is crudely drawn and starkly colored. The battle
occurs after Walking Thunder taunts Koda with the haughty equivalent
of "Are ya chicken?" Koda's powers--strength, stamina, flight--are
unoriginal and uninteresting. The Coyote interloper looks like a
two-legged Scottish terrier.

The ugly: Dialog such as "I can't believe how good it feels to be
humble and not boast of my accomplishments!"

I don't know how Native readers will like KODA THE WARRIOR, but I
wouldn't recommend it as anything except a language primer. For
learning about traditional Native culture or modern-day life, the
Mille Lacs comics A HERO'S VOICE and DREAMS OF LOOKING UP (ICI #14)
are far superior. So are non-Native comics such as Oni Press's
SKINWALKER (ICI #89).

KODA THE WARRIOR is available by contacting Mindt at (701) 471-6257 or
kodathewarrior@.... For more on Native-themed comics, see
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/nacomics.htm .

Native Comics to Come?

We're talking to at least one tribe about doing comics that feature
its language and culture--comics that educate WHILE they entertain,
one hopes. We'll tell you more about this effort as it moves forward.
For further information, visit
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/bccserve.htm or contact me.

Rob Schmidt
Blue Corn Comics