American Indians Go Graphic

Comic books have fascinated and delighted audiences since the early 1800s. While sequential art storytelling is an ancient practice (seen in Mixtec codices and hieroglyphs), this art form evolved over time into comics as we know them today, weaving visual art with the written word.

Michael Sheyashe (Caddo citizen) notes that “comic books offer insight into American culture’s psyche, expose attitudes and prejudices, and provide a mirror of historical and social attitudes during the time of their publication.” Early American comics had a striking preoccupation with American Indian stereotypes. Featuring mythical tribes and savage warriors, the visual iconography of American Indians was firmly entrenched in the collective consciousness through comics.

However, the rise of digital publishing enabled American Indian creators to enter the comic and graphic novel genres. Creators like Jon Santaanta Proudstar (Pascua Yaqui Tribe citizen) and Arigon Starr (Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma citizen), for example, brought to life Indigenous superheroes who are firmly rooted in their own cultural identities, providing a counternarrative to centuries of misrepresentation.

As a result, the comic book landscape today is vastly different. From Deer Ladies to the Marvel Universe, Indigenous creatives have carved out a preeminent place in the world of comic books and superheroes. The compelling narratives, cultural authenticity, and validation of multiplicative identities serve as a beacon for dynamic storytelling and positive representation.

There will be many related celebrations coming in fall of 2025 including Duke University hosting an Indigenous Comic Con November 15-16, 2025!