American Indians Go Graphic

Tom Farris (Otoe-Missouria/Cherokee)

Look, Up In The Sky

Artist Statement

"This piece came about as a frustration of lack of positive representation of Native characters in comic books. I wanted to take the most iconic superhero and make him Native without relying on the tired stereotypes of adding feathers and fringe. This was accomplished by simply making the man in the suit Native with minor design elements that are a nod to his origin: the Cherokee syllabary letter in his insignia which makes the "S" sound in our language - a nod to source material and the sun design in his belt - a nod to the source of his power and a traditional Southeastern Native motif." 

1. Illustration by Weshoyot Alvitre (Tongva descendant) from Ghost River.
2. Illustration by David J. Cutler (Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation citizen) from “Ue-Pucase: Water Master” in Moonshot v 1.  
3. Illustration by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma citizen) from Super Indian v 2.
4. Illustration by Weshoyot Alvitre (Tongva descendant) from Sixkiller.
5. Illustration by Dale Deforest (Diné/Navajo citizen) from Hero Twins.