Over the last few years, the popularity of comic books has skyrocketed. Franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Universe and shows like The Boys and Invisible have put comic books and graphic novels in the limelight, showcasing their astronomical talent. Here is a tip for my fellow BIPOC and queer book lovers: indie presses are where it’s at! There is an increasing number of amazing Black and queer comic book creators whose stories many people have not heard of before. If you are new to indie comics or are looking for new and amazing BIPOC and queer stories, let this be your introduction to the variety of BIPOC and queer comic book presses and their stories within the indie comic book scene.
Power and Magic Press
Power and Magic Press is an independent comic press based in Portland, Oregon. Joamette Gil, a cartoonist and editor of the award-winning comic POWER & MAGIC: The Queer Witch Comics Anthology, leads the press. The creators at Power and Magic Press aim to empower queer and BIPOC creators both creatively and economically. Their magical world can be explored through works like POWER & MAGIC: The Queer Witch Comics Anthology and Mañana: Latinx Comics From The 25th Century.
Black Josei Press
Black Josei Press was founded in 2018 and is based in Miami, Florida. The press focuses on celebrating comics written and drawn by women of color and non-binary people of color. Founder Jamila Rowser is a Black, Latinx, Queer, and disabled comic writer best known for the graphic novel Wash Day Diaries. Their primary aim is to change the world of comics by providing an outlet for underrepresented creators. Some of their most successful works include Wash Day Diaries and Gordita: Built Like This.
Godhood Comics
Godhood Comics is one of the fastest-growing Black-owned indie comic publishers of superhero and villain stories that isn’t Marvel or DC. They are known to add depth to the concepts of the typical superhero and villain. Through superb art and character design and plots that are well thought out, they make any comic they publish a must-read for fans of mythology, hero, and villain stories. Some of their most successful works include The Antagonist and Keisha Carter is Mega Woman.
Creatively Queer Press
Creatively Queer Press is an indie publishing house whose mission is to curate and create stories dedicated to representing the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC experiences accurately and empathically. The founder, Luis C. Silva, after being disappointed in not seeing his life as a queer person of color in America represented in comics, decided to create a space to represent the unrepresented. They offer a high-quality platform for everyone’s voice to be heard. If you are interested in Creatively Queer Press check out Sharp Turns and Ghost Journals.
Northwest Press
Northwest Press is an indie comic publishing house located in Seattle, Washington. They are dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender comic collections and graphic novels. They publish an array of genres that includes nonfiction, humor, erotica, romance, and more. Check out Anything That Loves and The Legend of Bold Riley.