Milestone Comics Founders Announce New Comics and Animated Film in the Works

Milestone Comics may not be a name as easily recognizable as Marvel or DC, but if you’re a fan of Static Shock, you have them and their creation of the Dakotaverse to thank. Static and the heroes of Milestone Comics are known for pushing diversity and inclusion in comics, especially in terms of representation of the African American community in comics.

Continue reading “Milestone Comics Founders Announce New Comics and Animated Film in the Works”

‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘Gotham Knights’ Games Teased in New DC FanDome Trailer

The newest trailer for DC FanDome dropped today and with it came even more hype to get us ready for next Saturday’s event. What stood out for me though were the brief shots of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Gotham Knights that teased some new footage to come at FanDome.

Continue reading “‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘Gotham Knights’ Games Teased in New DC FanDome Trailer”

Full Talent Line-Up Revealed for DC FanDome

It’s coming folks! We are just about two weeks away from year two of DC FanDome. And as is tradition with most cons, the closer we get, the more is revealed! And today the good folks at DC have debuted their all-star lineup of talent that will be making appearances at the highly anticipated virtual con! Take a look here:

Continue reading “Full Talent Line-Up Revealed for DC FanDome”

Welcome Back to the DC FanDome

Suit up, DC Fans! Because on Saturday, October 16, you’re needed back at the DC FanDome!

That’s right! After the overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural virtual event, DC announced earlier this year that DC FanDome would be returning. And as of this morning, we are finally getting an official press release, and an announcement regarding the programming we can expect from this year’s event. And it’s looking to be just as epic the second time around.

Continue reading “Welcome Back to the DC FanDome”

Milestone Relaunch: Press Conference Recap

Milestone is back! Again! But… seriously, this time! Hey, it’s Kuya P, long time Milestone fan and I know we’ve been here before with Milestone and DC Comics but it is finally happening folks! I recently had the pleasure of attending a virtual press conference with Denys Cowan and Reginald Hudlin to discuss the release of Milestone Returns #0: Infinite Edition, the history of Milestone and some of the new talent working on the titles and more!

Continue reading “Milestone Relaunch: Press Conference Recap”

Episode 100: Behind the Scenes at ‘DC in D.C. 2018’

Over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend in the Nation’s Capital, Warner Brothers and DC Entertainment held the first ever “DC in D.C.” event, bringing together the stars and creators of television and comics to celebrate and honor the diversity of the DC Universe’s superheroes. We also finally announce a Patreon and ask you for your support!

Continue reading “Episode 100: Behind the Scenes at ‘DC in D.C. 2018’”

Hard NOC Live at the Smithsonian #CrossLines: Shawn Martinbrough

Last week, we had the opportunity to be a part of CrossLines, a pop-up culture lab on intersectionality presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. In addition to hosting a Reading Lounge/Book Swap and live mural by artist Matt Huyhn, The Nerds of Color was invited to conduct live recordings of Hard NOC Life. The first of these live podcasts featured comic book artist Shawn Martinbrough.

Continue reading “Hard NOC Live at the Smithsonian #CrossLines: Shawn Martinbrough”

Why Dwayne McDuffie Was Better Than You

One cannot discuss black excellence (specifically in speculative fiction) without discussing one of the most gifted and progressive storytellers, ever to walk this earth, the late Dwayne McDuffie.

As expected, many discussed the amazing work he and his team did with making Milestone Comics a success, others mentioned his phenomenal work with fellow phenom Bruce Timm creating over a decade of superb animated series and films.

Of course people pointed out that McDuffie paved the way for black storytellers in a way too vanilla-centric medium that is the comic book industry.

Continue reading “Why Dwayne McDuffie Was Better Than You”

How to Comic-Con in Under 48 Hours

If you ever get the chance to attend Comic-Con International in San Diego, you should probably do the complete opposite of what I did. Namely, give yourself some time to travel and eat food. Other than that, my Comic-Con experience this year was probably the best time I’ve had at a convention in a long time! Big thanks to Marissa, Mike, and Dariane of Racebending for inviting me to the Super Asian America panel (more on that later!) and allowing me to come back to SDCC in the first place!

Continue reading “How to Comic-Con in Under 48 Hours”

10 DC Comics Superheroes Who Deserve a Vehicle

As more DC Comics projects are announced, it often leads to the question of who deserves his or her vehicle in the form of a movie, TV series, direct-to-dvd animated film, etc.

Contrary to popular belief, DC does in fact have a rich diverse variety of engaging characters. The (most frustrating) problem is that they refuse to properly utilize them. More than a few of said rich diverse superheroes have amassed mainstream crossover appeal. Yet, DC does not capitalize on these opportunities.

But that’s okay. Help has arrived. Help in the form of yours truly. The following is a list of 10 characters (among countless others) who need their own mainstream project like yesterday.

Continue reading “10 DC Comics Superheroes Who Deserve a Vehicle”

Icon and Rocket: Redefining the Superhero Sidekick Paradigm

If there’s one trait that always distinguished Milestone Media, it was its consistency in delivering a brilliant new take on an old idea.

A primary example of this can be found with two of their flagship heroes, Icon and Rocket. The superhero pair is a fascinating case of the superhero sidekick paradigm being redefined.

Continue reading “Icon and Rocket: Redefining the Superhero Sidekick Paradigm”

Milestone Media Returns

The Washington Post broke the news this morning, but it looks like Milestone Media will be making its long awaited return in 2015. This time, filmmaker Reginald Hudlin will be joining original co-founders Denys Cowan and Derek Dingle in rebooting Milestone 2.0.

Coincidentally, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum recently announced it would be extending its “Milestones: African Americans in Comics, Pop Culture, and Beyond” exhibit — curated by original co-founder Michael Davis and Tatiana EL-Khouri — through February. (Here’s my recap of the exhibit’s opening in December 2013).

Needless to say, NOC HQ is very excited about these events.

Continue reading “Milestone Media Returns”

Today is Dwayne McDuffie’s Birthday

[Ed. note: David originally wrote this for BadAzz Mofo on Monday, and we’re running it today in honor of what would have been Dwayne’s 52nd birthday. Tomorrow is also the third anniversary of his passing. My own memory of meeting Dwayne is here. The image above is by graphic designer Ed Williams. —KC]

dwaynemcduffieThings were different when I was a kid growing up. For the most part, you didn’t know what comic book creators looked like. Sure, everyone knew what Stan Lee looked like, but that was about it. The few comic creators I had contact with back in my youth were all white, and for some reason, it just sort of stuck in my head that all comic creators had to be white. This was, of course, reinforced by the vast majority of comics that were being published, which only had a relatively small number of black characters.

Continue reading “Today is Dwayne McDuffie’s Birthday”

Denys Cowan’s Art Has Been Found

Quick update on the artwork that UPS “lost” en route to Geppi’s Entertainment Museum in Baltimore. It appears that all 28 pieces have been returned to Denys Cowan. Unfortunately, they have not been returned in the same condition in which they were shipped. Still, it’s good to know that this injustice has been rectified in some small way.

Cowan took to social media to deliver a special message to his fans and all involved in holding UPS’ feet to the fire. His message, as posted on Michael Davis’ website, is after the jump.

Continue reading “Denys Cowan’s Art Has Been Found”

UPS Loses Valuable Denys Cowan Artwork

I recently wrote about the wonderful time I had at the opening gala for the “Milestones: African Americans in Comics, Pop Culture, and Beyond art exhibit at the Geppi Museum in Baltimore. Unbeknownst to me at the time, there was some very unfortunate news amidst the happiness inside the museum.

Continue reading “UPS Loses Valuable Denys Cowan Artwork”

Making ‘Milestones’ at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum

2013 12 13 (10)
Legend Status (L to R): Michael Davis, Kyle Baker, Denys Cowan

On Friday night, I had the honor and privilege to attend the opening gala for the latest exhibit at the Geppi Entertainment Museum in Baltimore. Curated by Milestone Media co-founder Michael Davis and Tatiana El-Kouri — with John Jennings consulting, the exhibit “Milestones: African Americans in Comics, Pop Culture, and Beyond” was a showcase for the artists who make up the African American pop art experience. Representing a true cross-section of popular culture, the pieces on display spanned decades and demonstrated the vastness and diversity of African American artistic expression.

Continue reading “Making ‘Milestones’ at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum”

20 Years: A Milestone (Comics) Anniversary

In this landmark live-streamed episode, the founders and creators of Milestone Comics join Keith (@the_real_chow) for a special retrospective of one of the most important companies in comic book history. The show’s panel consists of Milestone founders Denys Cowan and Michael Davis, editor/writer Joseph Phillip Illidge, artist Shawn Martinbrough, and production manager/writer Erica Well.

Continue reading “20 Years: A Milestone (Comics) Anniversary”

Remembering Dwayne McDuffie

Dwayne McDuffie is one of the most important figures in the history of the comic book industry. Perhaps that’s hyperbole, but I don’t think so. I know that his work has left an indelible mark on me, and the world is a lesser place without him in it.

I didn’t know Dwayne McDuffie personally. I only met him once. Briefly. It was in San Diego in 2009. The fellas (Jerry Ma, Jeff Yang, Parry Shen) and I were at Comic-Con to promote Secret Identities. Dwayne was on a panel moderated by Jeff, and the five of us were able to chat for a bit afterwards.

Continue reading “Remembering Dwayne McDuffie”

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Milestone

This Thursday evening, the co-founders and creators of the groundbreaking comics company Milestone Media will be the guests on a special episode of Hard N.O.C. Life, bringing together a panel of some of the most talented voices in comics to discuss the legacy of the company that revolutionized the industry two decades ago.

UPDATE: The special episode is now available for viewing here.

Continue reading “Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Milestone”