Posted in: Comics | Tagged: image comics, image expo, kelly sue deconnick, matt fraction, Race and Gender Diversity

Image Expo Opening Triggers Gender And Race Diversity Conversations

Published Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:03:18 -0600

Last updated Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:29:13 -0600

I think Image Comics expected to be the talk of the internet today and they are, but probably not in they way they expected. The announcements during the opening ceremonies of the Image Expo has started conversations about gender diversity in comics. Take a look at the above photo from all the presenters… I see two females and no minorities.

This is how some of the industry is reacting:

I look at the talent on stage at #ImageExpo, and it's impossible not to notice that every creator is white.

— Joe Hughes (@JoeHughes28) January 9, 2014

Sad to see Image just recycling the same white dudes + couple of ladies. They have a great opportunity to throw more diversity into comics. — Janelle Asselin (@gimpnelly) January 9, 2014

I'm as disappointed as anyone about the lack of new women creators doing stuff at indie publishers. What needs to change to make it happen? — Steve Horton (@tropicalsteve) January 9, 2014

Huh…I didn't realize that the 16 white men on stage at #imageEXPO meant that women & minorities weren't allowed to make comics anymore. — Marc Lombardi (@marclombardi) January 9, 2014

@marclombardi Marc, my reply to the POC & gender topic is to step up! I'm black, Image is my publisher. And I think @Rob_guillory is black.

— Jimmie Robinson (@Jimmie_Robinson) January 9, 2014

@gimpnelly @themightylayman Last I did Image, they had fewer women than the Big Two. 8% female creators compared to 12-14% for Marvel/DC.

— Tim Hanley (@timhanley01) January 9, 2014

Then that's what happens. I'm not saying Image are saintly, but if it's harder for more women to go creator owned there are larger reasons.

— Laura Sneddon (@thalestral) January 9, 2014

One of the conversations got good but spread out, so print screens work better here.