With thousands of cartoons published between them, Brumsic Brandon, Jr. (1927–2014) and Barbara Brandon-Croft are the only father/daughter cartoonists to be nationally syndicated and represented in the Library of Congress. Acclaimed for editorial work in the Black press, Brandon, Jr. became one of this country's first nationally syndicated black cartoonists in the mainstream press with his strip Luther, which ran from 1969 to 1986. Decades later, Brandon-Croft became the first Black female cartoonist to be nationally syndicated in the mainstream press with her feature Where I'm Coming From, which ran for 14 years. Her most recent book, named for her groundbreaking strip, was nominated for an Eisner Award. Barbara Brandon-Croft and her son, battle rapper Chase "Archduke Redcat" Croft, appear in their first public conversation about family legacy and deadlines met from their dining room table. Moderated by Tara Nakashima Donahue (curator, Brandon Family Art Trust).

The current wave of attacks on materials by and about BIPOC and queer people is especially harmful to young people's mental health. A panel of librarians and creators will show how both reading and creating comics can override those negative messages. Featuring Gabriel Lopez (research and instruction librarian), Jack Phoenix (comics librarian), Comic-Con special guest Barbara Brandon-Croft (creator, Where I'm Coming From), and Jonell Joshua (creator, How Do I Draw These Memories). Moderated by Carla Riemer (community librarian).

Edited by Peggy Burns and Tracy Hurren and published by Drawn & Quarterly, Where I’m Coming From, by Barbara Brandon-Croft, is up for Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips !!!

Named for the pioneering comics creator and graphic novelist Will Eisner, the Eisner Awards are considered the “Oscars” of the comic book industry. Awards will presented in 32 categories for works published in 2023. Hosting the ceremony this year are voice actor Phil LaMarr (Futurama, Samurai Jack, Justice League) and screenwriter/actor Thomas Lennon (Reno 911, Balls of Fury). Among presenters are actor/comedian/comics writer Patton Oswalt; producer/writer Jordan Blum (Community, American Dad, M.O.D.O.K.); actress/stuntwoman Janeshia Adams-Ginyard (Black Panther, Falcon and the Winter Soldier); actor/voice actor Keone Young (Deadwood, Ultraman Rising, Avatar: The Last Airbender); actors Gigi Edgley (Farscape), Jackie Dallas (Stranger Things), and Christian Geniere (Stranger Things); voice actors Maurice LaMarche (Brain in Pinky and the Brain) and Sarah Natochenny (Ash Ketchum and other characters, Pokémon); filmmaker/comics writer David Avallone (Batwheels, Elvira Meets HP Lovecraft, Drawing Blood); and comics creators Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Mike Mignola (Hellboy, Gotham by Gaslight), Bill Morrison (Simpsons Comics, Yellow Submarine), and Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother, The Sandman, Beasts of Burden).

Barbara Brandon-Croft became the first African American female cartoonist to emerge in the mainstream press with her syndicated cartoon feature Where I’m Coming From. Her newest book from Drawn & Quarterly is an Eisner nominee! Barbara joins Susan Kirtley, Ph.D. (2013 Eisner Award winner for Best Educational/Academic Work; director of comics studies at Portland State University) for a special one-on-one interview and Q&A session.

Remember the “Funny Pages”? Witty comics artists discuss the best practices when using humor and satire in comic strips and cartoons. Panelists Barbara Brandon-Croft (Where I'm Coming From), Chuck Collins (Bounce!), Lisa Burdige (Background Noise), David Crownson (Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer), Amy Chu (Carmilla: The First Vampire, Fighting to Belong), and John Hazard (Frankenstein Superstar, Background Noise) discuss what makes them laugh and how they find humor in everyday life. Moderated by comics editor, writer, and professor Dr. Shamika Mitchell (State University of New York, Rockland/Women in Comics).

Meet Barbara and have your copy of the Eisner Award-nominated Where I’m Coming From (Drawn and Quarterly) signed!

What does it take to make comics? How does one take an idea from concept to reality? Comic-Con special guests Barbara Brandon-Croft, Lea Seidman Hernandez, Klaus Janson, Dave Johnson, and Meggie Ramm, with J. Scott Campbell (Danger Girl, FairyTale Fantasies, Amazing Spider-Man), share some insights with moderator Stephanie Gerk about how they keep creating.

Women in Comics Collective International (WinC for short, pronounced "wink") is an artistic and informative initiative. It serves to highlight the merit and craftwork of marginalized voices, especially that of women and queer folx of color, who work in the comics and multimedia industry. Created during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Creator Symposium is an ongoing panel discussion series designed to explore how creatives working in comics can continue to grow and thrive in an ever-changing industry. Panelists include Amanda Meadows (editor, Andrews McMeel), Barbara Brandon-Croft (cartoonist, Where I'm Coming From), David Crownson (founder of Kingwood Comics), Jaz Joyner (writer, Devour, Abrams Books), Robyn Warren (writer, Marvel Fitness Deck), Anita Okoye (editor, Abrams Books), and Gamal Hennessy (founder, Creative Contract Consulting). Moderated by Regine L. Sawyer (coordinator/founder, WinC International).

Barbara will be among the special guests at the Boston Comics in Color Convention.

The Museum of Modern Art Magazine publishes Barbara Brandon-Croft’s mini graphic memoir One Cartoonist’s Journey!

Democracy360: UVA’s Democracy Biennial

Hosted by the Karsh Institute of Democracy, in partnership with schools and units across the University of Virginia. Democracy360 launched in 2021. The Karsh Institute studies, strengthens, and defends democracy. University of Virginia innovative programming and local, national and global partnerships help us leverage scholarship and student engagement to actively influence the agendas that will shape a thriving democratic future.  

Check back for more details!

Barbara Brandon-Croft and Darrin Bell In Conversation

In the hugely popular field of syndicated comics, Barbara Brandon-Croft and Darrin Bell are trailblazers. Barbara Brandon-Croft is the first Black female cartoonist to be distributed nationally by a major syndicate; Darrin Bell, the first African-American cartoonist to have two strips syndicated nationally, is also a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist. Join them for an epic conversation about their new works (Bell‘s memoir The Talk and Brandon-Croft‘s long-awaited, updated collection of Where I’m Coming From), the empowering influence of their parents on their lives and careers, and much more! 

Brooklyn Book Festival Author Announcements

Barbara is excited to participate in the virtual author reveal/press launch for New York City’s largest free literary festival!

Check the festival website for more info.

UC Davis Leadership

Chancellor’s Colloquium With Barbara Brandon-Croft

Chancellor Gary S. May makes no secret of his love of superhero comic books, and in two weeks he’ll share the stage with a trailblazing creator of a different kind of comic.

Barbara Brandon-Croft, the first Black woman to become a nationally syndicated newspaper cartoonist, will be the next Chancellor’s Colloquium guest, Tuesday, May 2.

Where I'm Coming From Book Tour Event

Barbara Brandon-Croft in Conversation with Danielle Eliska

A conversation hosted by the Nerds, Erbs and Words podcast featuring industry experts about the nuances of Black women, LGBTQ, and other marginalized voices in comics and storytelling -- voices that mainstream media often misses.

​Featuring Erika Hardison & Keisha Parks (Nerds, Erbs and Words), Shauna Grant, Karama Horne, Elizabeth Colomba, Barbara Brandon-Croft

Hosted by Women in Comics Collective International, this conversation will explore the ways in which creatives working in comics can continue to grow and thrive in an ever-changing industry.

Featuring Regine Sawyer, Janicia Francis, Shauna Grant, Javier Cruz Winnik, Barbara Brandon-Croft, Ben Ha Meen.

CARTOONISTS, RACISM & FREE SPEECH in a threatened democracy

What is the role of the cartoonist in the today’s convoluted world? Is there any topic that is off-limits to a cartoonist and how do cultural norms and the political climate affect what is acceptable to ridicule?

Phillip Martin, senior investigative reporter for GBH News will act as guest moderator for this timely discussion which features three prominent cartoonists: Barbara Brandon-Croft, “Kal” Kallaugher, Dan Wasserman.

Event information: https://forum-network.org/lectures/cartoonists-racism-free-speech/ and registration

Barbara is signing books at the Society of Illustrators Booth 2:30-3:30. Ahead of that, she be in conversation with Calvin Reid at the SVA Flatiron Gallery. Hope to see you there!!

Barbara in conversation with Alex Segura, followed by a book signing.