THE BEYOND BLACK PANTHER EXHIBIT VISITED JACKSON COLLEGE'S LIBRARY - CHECK OUT THE LINK TO THE VIRTUAL EXHIBIT BELOW
Most people are familiar with Marvel's Black Panther, and some are aware of its connections to Afrofuturism, a framework to understand how the black imagination manifests visions of freedom. This virtual exhibition will explore how themes such as aesthetics, Black feminism, and community, common to Afrofuturism, shape contemporary Black comics. Beyond the Black Panther gives us a view of stories inspired by African folklore such as Is’nana the Were-Spider, science fiction adventures centered on a black female hero such as Matty’s Rocket, or vital social commentary about police violence such as I am Alfonso Jones.
The exhibit is a five panel display in the library laying out the main themes of Afrofuturism.

For further explorations of Beyond Black Panther virtually visit: Beyond the Black Panther: Visions of Afrofuturism in American Comics – MSU Museum
             BLACK KIRBY ART EXHIBIT WAS DISPLAYED IN 2023 IN COMMUNITY SPACES OPEN TO ALL
     While most of the pieces are down, many of the pieces can be viewed and/or purchased at Nostalgia Ink.

The Black Kirby Art exhibit reimagines iconic Jack Kirby characters and art through the lens of Afrofuturism.  Kirby is best known for co-creating and creating a pantheon of characters for Marvel, DC, and independent comics including(this is a very minor list for more google Jack Kirby): the Avengers, the Eternals, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor and the Marvel Norse Mythology, Mister Miracle, the New Gods and their arch nemesis Darkseid, Captain Victory, Fantastic Four, the Silver Surfer, Galactus, and of course Black Panther.  Black Kirby founders and artists John Jennings and Stacey Robinson have remixed the imagery of these iconic figures and forms in an Afrofuturistic blender.  The images are amazing and affirming for a reimagining of the future through an adjustment of the past.

The exhibit is to be featured at the Carnegie Library, Nostalgia Ink, the Jackson College Library, and one additional location yet to be determined.  To see the whole exhibit you'll have to trek to all the locations!
Here's a list of featured pieces with some context:

I Am a Man- featuring the classic design of the 1960s civil rights sign with the New Gods's Black Racer

Spooky World - A take on Kirby's Spirit World reinterpreted through an Afrofuturistic lens

CT1- A recognition of the original definition of Afrofuturism- adding and remixing the human body by adding cybernetics and prosthetics

Jill Scott Free - An update of the classic Mister Miracle character

Mother Beat Box - A hip hop remix of Mother Box

Kirby Tech New - All the Kirby crackle you can take

Afroblue - A jazz study of a reimagined Beautiful dreamer from Kirby's Forever People

Crown of Badassery - Cosmic Kirby crackle with a Samuel L. Jackson vibe!

Seer- a voodoo take/ African wisdom take on a witch character

Black Thing- It's a black Thing - You'll understand!

Black Panther Movie poster - That's right the Black Panthe movie 1970s style!

Hollerangel - 'Nuf said.

Double Consciousness - Black Panther Afropicks lay out the philosophy of Black Kirby

Medusa 2 - Fantastic Four's Medusa reimagined

Planet Deep South Sun Ra - A portrait of music's alien observer

Ultimate Nullifier - Named for the weapon that could kill Galactus but more powerful and with all the crackle

MAD VILLAINZ - These villains are more MF DOOM than just DOOM

OBLAC - A tongue in cheek take on Kirby's One Man Army Core mixed in with Marcus Garvey

Shango 3 - Papa Shango saves the day!

Defy - The title says it all as the dreadlocked heroine defies gravity!

ODIN BAMBAATA - A remix of the Allfather and the hip hop god father AFRIKA BAMBAATA

WILL YOU SEE THEM ALL?  CON CON HOPES SO AND MAYBE YOU WILL HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE!

CON CON 2020-201 Reanimation: The Slow Con

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EPISODE 8-COMICS TECHNOLOGY 101
In this illustrated overview of the various printing technologies that comics have relied upon for mass publication and distribution, we will explore the changes that arose from the beginning of print as an industry to the 21st century. Explore here.


EPISODE 7-COMICS PREHISTORY
Where did the comics form come from?  In this lecture, we’ll journey from prehistory to the late 19th century in an illustrated overview of the evolution of the art form, all prior to the rise of the popular comic book format. Explore here.


EPISODE 6 - Pencil Me In(Graphic Medicine)
Explore medical autobiography with Stephen Bissette.  Bissette gives us a multimedia tour about the power of sharing personal stories through the power of graphic storytelling. Explore here.
EPISODE 5-Manga Before Tezuka
Stephen R. Bissette leads us through a heavily illustrated lecture of the roots of manga.  Explore here.
EPISODE 4-Paleo Pop Primer Part 2
Stephen R. Bissette takes us through the history of prehistoric animals in pop culture.  Explore here.
EPISODE 3 - Paleo Pop Primer Part 1
Stephen R. Bissette takes us through the history of prehistoric animals in pop culture.  Explore here.
We Are Not at the End of History of Numbering
Professor Chrisomalas visits Con Con to talk about the past, present, and future of numbers.  A lot of what you think you know about numbers is wrong or is it?  View here to find out!
EPISODE 2 - Spooky Story Telling With Stephen Bissette 
Renowned comics artist and storyteller Stephen Bissette dissects and discusses the basics of comics storytelling, including elements of of page and panel composition and flow and more through examples of his own work.  View here
EPISODE 1-Bissette's Menagerie of Cryptozoological Creatures
A great start to the Comics Goes To College Lecture with Stephen Bissette!  His lecture was an edifying treatment of cryptozoological creatures, anatomy, and copious amounts of drawing.  To watch click here.
Science Fiction and Fact of Frankenstein
What a great way to end the con with the Science and Science Fiction in Frankenstein with University of Indiana Professor Monique Morgan.  Check it out here.
Camel Draws Undead Kaiju
Check out our lively discussion with Devon Camel while he draws a reanimated Kaiju here.
Bissette Talks Swamp Thing, Comics Code and Reanimation
We had a great time with legendary comic artist, publisher and teacher Stephen Bissette.  Watch the conversation about all things Swamp Thing here.
Changing disAbility Discourse Through Improv
How can we change the discourse about disability? Found out in this presentation about improv and Frankenstein here.  Get ready to follow along in this active and fun presentation.
Short Film Orion
In short film Orion the question is posed "Who is real?".  Access will return soon.
Short Film Oracle
Oracle is a short film from CON CON 2019.    What happens when tech bonds with human biology? Access will return soon.
Star Wars... Star Trek ... Tech
Check out this Presentation about Star Trek/Star Wars Tech from the first Con Con here!
Real Life Zombies with Frank Swain
Tune in for a riveting interview with author Frank Swain (13 February, 2021) about real-life zombies and the science behind the zombie myth!
The Electric Truth with Dr. Xania Payne
Learn more about electricity in this science talk with Jackson College Professor, Dr. Xania Payne (23 January, 2021) -- how important it is for life, and how science fiction can get it right (and wrong)!
ReAnimating the Universe Virtual Planetarium Show
Check out the ReAnimating the Universe virtual Planetarium show (9 December, 2020) -- many thanks to our partners at the Hurst Planetarium at Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson, Michigan.
Drawing the Monster w/John McCrea
Enjoy an artist interview with international comics artist John McCrea (23 October, 2020) -- watch him work through a drawing session, creating the Frankenstein monster while talking about his background, techniques, and love of horror.

CON CON 2019: Multidimensitionality

Content Coming Soon

CON CON 2018: All Things Mars

ROCKETS FROM EARTH TO THE ATMOSPHERE AND BACK AGAIN.  THEY DIDN'T REACH MARS BUT IMPRESSIVE NONE THE LESS.
COMICS INDUSTRY STAR JOHN MCCREA DRAWING THE BLACK PANTHER.  JOHN FINISHED THE DRAWING AND DONATED THE DRAWING FOR AUCTION TO HELP JACKSON COLLEGE STUDENTS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL NEEDS.  THE AUCTION GARNERED $300 FOR THE CHARITY!

2018 found Con Con discussing all things Mars.  We just happened to get  an interview with the hottest Martian author at the time Andy Weir.  Click here for Part 1 of the interview.

Andy Weir interview part 2 is here.