The North American comic book industry desperately needs to diversify, especially on the creative level. While there are Black and non-white people of color working on mainstream titles, as well as award-winning indie books, the industry is still overwhelmingly white. That said, Black comics artists are putting out incredible work worthy of reader and industry support.

Below are several Black comic book artists whose work both longtime and burgeoning comic readers alike should check out and recommend to others, along with links to websites and online portfolios. CBR will also feature Black writers and Black creator-owned books in coming days.

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Sanford Greene

Sanford Greene has worked as a professional comic book artist for over 15 years and for virtually all the major publishers currently in the game, including Marvel, DC and Dark Horse. Known for his raw, gritty linework, Greene has brought breathtaking interior art and covers to life, with widespread critical acclaim. Greene teamed up with writer David F. Walker to relaunch Power Man & Iron Fist for Marvel in 2016.

Bringing back the two superheroes back to their streetwise, hard-hitting roots, the creative partnership continued after the series' conclusion. Greene and Walker reunited in 2019 to launch the Image Comics ongoing series Bitter Root, providing a steampunk, alternate history vision of Harlem as one family hunts down monsters that threaten the world.

Denys Cowan

Denys Cowan is one of the most influential figures in comics. After starting his professional career as a comic artist in 1980's Weird War Tales #93 for DC and working a variety of titles for DC and Marvel, Cowan teamed with longtime editor and writer Denny O'Neill for their universally acclaimed run on The Question. Published between 1987 and 1992, the series is widely considered the most definitive take on the superhero.

After a stint illustrating Deathlok for Marvel, Cowan co-founded Milestone Media with Dwayne McDuffie, Derek Dingle and Michael Davis in 1993. Milestone launched titles like Static Shock, an electricity-based superhero co-created by Cowan -- who later served as an executive producer on the superhero's animated television adaptation.

This eventually led to Cowan becoming the Senior Vice President of Animation at BET, where he was instrumental in launching the animated adaptation of The Boondocks. Recently, Cowan reunited with longtime collaborator Bill Sienkiewicz and writer Jeff Lemire on the DC Black Label miniseries The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage.

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Valentine De Landro

One of the most acclaimed and timely titles published by Image Comics in the last decade is Bitch Planet, created by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine De Landro. Prior to its creation, De Landro had worked for Marvel, with his art style noted for its use of shading to set mood and atmosphere. His art style perfectly captures the grindhouse atmosphere of Bitch Planet and the raw emotions of its characters taking on an oppressive regime.

Bitch Planet concluded its initial run in 2017 and De Landro has since gone on to work as a comic book designer. He also illustrates titles for Marvel and has reunited with DeConnick on the civically-minded Registered, which recounts the history of the 26th Amendment.

Khary Randolph

Khary Randolph is one of the most prolific Black artists working for mainstream publishers today. Randolph has built up an impressive body of work at Marvel and DC over the past several years, including interior art for We Are Robin and a whole line of stunning cover art for the Big Two. Over at Image, Randolph was instrumental in relaunching the sci-fi series Tech Jacket.

Most notably, Randolph co-created the Image Comics/Skybound Entertainment series Excellence with writer Brandon Thomas last year. The ongoing series has generations of magical families using their powers to fight for a better future, blending Randolph and Thomas's numerous inspirations from global pop culture into an acclaimed, spellbinding story.

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Brian Stelfreeze

Beginning his professional comic artist career with 1988's Cycops for Comics Interview, Brian Stelfreeze is one of the most prominent, prolific Black cover artists and designers in the entire industry. Primarily employing a painted style, Stelfreeze's cover work is very visually striking as he captures the essence of various characters including Batman, Catwoman and more. He is also the art director for 12-Gauge Comics.

In addition to his covers, Stelfreeze has also worked extensively with interiors, rendering fan-favorite work for Marvel's Domino and Wildstorm's Matador. Stelfreeze's relaunched Black Panther with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates in 2016 has achieved widespread critical and commercial success, bringing a whole new generation of readers to his work. Additionally, Stelfreeze co-created the acclaimed BOOM! Studios series Day Men, with writers Matt Gagnon and Michael Alan Nelson.

Shannon Wright

A native of Virginia, Shannon Wright is a prolific cartoonist who renders illustrations highlighting the black experience in America. Covering everything from outsider perceptions of black culture to injustices committed by federal and local governments, Wright's work delivers a raw, unfettered look at everything from intersectional feminism to attempts to whitewash black culture, through direct oppression and institutions like gentrification.

Wright's work has been published all over the world, from the pages of TIME magazine to British outlets including BBC News and The Guardian. In addition to her political cartoons and webcomics, Wright illustrated the socially conscious picture book My Mommy Medicine, with writer Edwidge Danticat, published by Roaring Brook Press last year. Later this year, Wright's next book, an original graphic novel titled Twins, will be published by Scholastic.

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Afua Richardson

Afua Richardson broke into the mainstream with her Image Comics/Top Cow Productions miniseries Genius, launched in 2014 with writers Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman. Following this, Richardson joined Marvel's successful relaunch of Black Panther, working with writer Roxane Gay on the GLAAD Media Award-winning Black Panther: World of Wakanda in 2016.

Richardson's color palette is especially eye-catching, with its effective use of contrasts and shading to craft particularly stunning looks at worlds of science-fiction and dystopian conflict. Richardson has illustrated a whole line of covers for a variety of publishers, including high-profile titles for DC, Valiant and Dynamite.

Kyle Baker

static shock by kyle baker

One of the most celebrated Black comic book creators of all-time is Kyle Baker, an eight-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Harvey Award winner. Interning at Marvel as a senior in high school, Baker's first credited comic artwork was in 1984's The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #13 before working as a penciler and inker for several titles with the publisher. After the publication of the original graphic novel The Cowboy Wally Show in 1988 for Doubleday, Baker received more offers from major publishers to work as a penciler.

Baker continued to illustrate steadily for DC and Marvel, leading to a multi-award-winning run on Plastic Man as writer and artist in 2004. Baker then created the Image Comics miniseries Special Forces as a biting satire of the Iraq War, while illustrating the mature reader-oriented Deadpool Max for Marvel. In addition to his comics work, Baker has worked extensively in animation for BET, Cartoon Network and MTV.

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Larry Stroman

Becoming a comic book artist was a lifelong aspiration for Larry Stroman, and by 1985 Stroman had achieved his dream, pencilling issues of American Flagg for First Comics and World's Finest Comics for DC. Within a couple years, Stroman began illustrating for Marvel Comics, including titles such as Uncanny X-Men, Ghost Rider and Cloak & Dagger. Stroman was especially instrumental in redesigning X-Factor's iconic look for the '90s, with writer Peter David, while serving as the series artist.

After the launch of Image Comics, Stroman and writer Todd Johnson created the series The Tribe for the fledgling publisher. It debuted as a strong success and became one of the bestselling comic book series by Black creators of all time. The series moved to Axis Comics for its final volume, before the creators ended the series. Since then, Stroman has worked largely for Marvel, including illustrating Cable and Black Panther.

Alitha Martinez

After working as an assistant to Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada in the '90s, Alitha Martinez became a professional comic book artist. While illustrating a whole host of Marvel titles, Martinez also branched into working with DC, Image and Archie Comics. She worked with writer Gail Simone on the New 52 relaunch of Batgirl. Her clean linework and atmospheric visuals are elevated by her choice in color palette.

After illustrating the miniseries Black Panther: World of Wakanda for Marvel and Lazarus+66, a spinoff of the acclaimed Image series Lazarus, Martinez teamed up with writer Devin Grayson and publisher Humanoids. The two created the 2019 sci-fi series Omni, which follows a doctor who gains incredible abilities that put her at the forefront of human evolution.

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Bianca Xunise

A lifelong Chicagoan, Bianca Xunise was inspired by everything from Sailor Moon to the modernist artwork of Paul Rand in developing her own professional art career. After graduating with a degree in graphic design, Xunise became a prolific cartoonist and designer, publishing work through Vogue, The Washington Post and Shondaland. She is also the second-ever Black female cartoonist to work on a nationally-syndicated comic strip, with her work on King Features' Six Chix.

Xunise has published her own webcomics and online journals including Say Her Name, Rock Against Racism and Goth Throb to award-winning acclaim. Addressing issues facing the Black community and her love of rock and roll, including socially conscious punk bands like Bad Brains, Xunise's work showcases a strong artistic voice on the rise, catching the spirit of the times.

Christina "Steenz" Stewart

Steenz - Heart of the City

An instructor at Webster University, Christina "Steenz" Stewart is a cartoonist and editor based out of St. Louis. In addition to co-creating the McDuffie Award-winning graphic novel Archival Quality with writer Ivy Noelle Weir, Steenz's work has been seen numerous comic anthologies, including the Eisner Award-winning Elements: Fire. She recently took over the comic strip Heart of the City, making her one of few Black female cartoonists on mainstream funny pages.

Steenz launched and edited Rolled & Told, centering on friends convening over their mutual love of video games and tabletop RPGs. She is currently working on the upcoming non-fiction graphic novel Side Quest: A Visual History of Role Playing Games with Samuel Sattin, while facilitating the development of a more inclusive comic book community and defying preconceived stereotypes about race, sexuality and identity.

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Chuck Collins

Chuck Collins - Bounce

Webcomic creator Chuck Collins has steadily built up an impressive following as the creator of the popular series Bounce. Collins has always had the lifelong dream of working in comic books and animation, with his published work channeling all of his influences. After working at several different animation studios, Collins moved forward with Bounce to tell his own story, as the sole writer and artist.

The webcomic follows bouncers in New York City who share a mutual love of geeky pop culture who have to contend with a seemingly never-ending stream of the most obnoxious patrons at one of the craziest bars in New York. Based out of Brooklyn, Collins seeks to blend humor and love for geek culture with the more frustratingly self-centered elements of society; the comic is partially based on his own experiences as a bouncer.

Jamal Campbell

Jamal Campbell is making waves in the mainstream comic industry and fortunately showing no signs of slowing down. After years of producing gorgeous cover art for prominent titles published by Marvel, DC and BOOM! Studios, Campbell teamed with writers Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker to create the new DC superhero Naomi.

Starring in her own series as part of Bendis' Wonder Comics publishing imprint, the title was a huge success upon its launch last year, with the character being integrated into the wider DC Universe after her bestselling debut. Campbell is currently illustrating the acclaimed DC Young Animal series Far Sector. Working with award-winning writer N.K. Jemisin, the title reimagines the Green Lantern mythos for a more mature reader-oriented approach.

Jamal Igle

After interning at DC, Jamal Igle went on to become an art director for marketing firms while working as an artist on small press comic book titles. After a stint as a storyboard artist on various series for Sony Animation, Igle was paired with writer Jay Faerber to relaunch the Marvel Comics title New Warriors. He illustrated 2000 miniseries Iron Fist and Wolverine, then began a prolific career illustrating for DC Comics.

Igle illustrated titles including Supergirl, Nightwing and Firestorm for DC, as well as creator-owned titles including Venture from Image Comics, The Wrong Earth from Ahoy Comics and Molly Danger from Action Lab Comics. Igle formerly served as the Vice President of Marketing for Action Lab, while providing art designs and direction for major firms, including Samsung and Footlocker.

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