Sweet Christmases and Misty (K)nights

Representing Blackness in American Superhero Comics

Abstract

Bradford Wright, a comics historian, characterizes comic books as a reflection, like a “funhouse mirror,” portraying American life and history as perceived by adults when conveyed to children. Dr. Pruitt’s analysis explores the way American comics have depicted and sometimes embellished the African American experience throughout history, both in the past and today. In this process, he demonstrates how comics provide engaging avenues for comprehending the ever-changing cultural and racial dynamics of periods such as the Civil Rights era, the Black Nationalism movement of the 1970s, and contemporary America.