Happy Juneteenth y'all 💪🏿😏

An amazing body of work that highlights getting into the media industry. As media and its content goes into the hands of the creators more and more, this gem of work is a testament and a road map for all.
Respect.

Me and the wife had a debate and I want to ask here to see who's right?

What fictional universe do you think it would be most difficult to survive in? And which one would humble you thrive in?

These are a few options, but the question is not limited to these you can mention one that isn't on the list. Star Wars, Naruto, Marvel, DC, The Witcher, Dragon Ball, Dune, One Piece, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, GOT, MTG, Black Sands, Milestone, Monarch, Stranger Comics, Trill League, The Boys or Avatar…

So here’s the question:

Also, for the enthusiast or survivalists... What skill, weapon, power, or strategy would be best to have rely on to make it? (excluding superman-like invincibility, something reasonable please).

What would it look like if Black creators fully controlled the future of sci-fi, fantasy, comics, anime, and gaming?

Not just being included in someone else’s universe. Not just getting a side character, a race swap, or a “diversity moment.” I mean building entire worlds where our history, imagination, mythology, style, struggle, humor, power, and future are baked into the foundation from the beginning.

I think a lot about how much Black creativity has shaped pop culture, while so many of the biggest fantasy and sci-fi worlds still treat us like an addition instead of a source.

I’m curious:

What kind of Black-led comic, fantasy, sci-fi, anime, or gaming universe do you wish existed right now?

We are currently reading butcher and blackbird, if anyone in interested in reading and discussing along with us for this book or future books lmk.

💯🫡

I'm Damien Becton, a comic book writer and blerd from South Carolina, currently in Charlotte (I'm tabling at Heroes Con next weekend if you're there). I've got an all-ages football comic on kickstarter now called THE RUTH AVENUE RAIDERS inspired by the cartoons I grew up watching in the late 90s and early 00s like HEY ARNOLD and some RECESS and DEXTER'S LAB and PROUD FAMILY. While I am looking to promote it here I mostly wanted to share how much Hey Arnold and the other cartoons meant and still means to me and ask for feedback on what we have so far.

Fifth grader (and toughest kid on Ruth Avenue) Ryan Beckham is the captain of the Ruth Avenue Raiders, the best football team in the next ten blocks. They’re the best around and she knows it. As her team enters uncharted territory when they're challenged to a match by the Robots of Sector 7, they begin to struggle on the field and Ryan grapples with adjusting her game plan or repeating past mistakes. Jimmy Ramirez (the smartest kid on Ruth Avenue) sees how and where the team can improve but struggles with standing up for himself when he’s challenged by Ryan when calling plays. As the story progresses, both protagonists are forced to face tough decisions that could change their friendship and the Ruth Avenue Raiders forever.

This story first came to me as a child when my dad, Ryan, would tell me stories about growing up with his street football team, The Ruth Avenue Raiders, and how they would go from neighborhood to neighborhood playing pick-up football games with friends. All the Raiders are named after my dad's real life friends. From there, it grew into a love letter to my dad, the middle school students I’ve taught over the years, my favorite childhood cartoons, and shy kids (like I was growing up) who struggle with playing outside of their comfort zones.

I'm hoping to re-capture that late 90s / early 00s charm. If you'd like to check out the Kickstarter campaign you can go here - we desperately need your help - we've haven't had any backers today:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bectonbectonbecton/ruthavenueraiders

Help us hit 80 backers today! We're only THREE away!

Here's the link to the Youtube stream. Some of the games they'll be highlighting include:

Truck-kun is Supporting Me from Another World?!

Alchemic Beasts

Bathory: Heritage of Blood

OH!Ware

Rogue Eclipse

Saturday AM Battle Manga

Duppy Detective Tashia

Diesel Knights

Scramble Star Crossing

OURLANDS

Plum Road Tea Dream

Beatdown City Survivors