Posted in: Comics, san diego comic con | Tagged: 2016, comic con, comiccon, comicon, Comics, entertainment, july, san diego, san diego comic con, sdcc, sdcc '16, sdcc16, sdcc2016

Including Diverse Characters Creates A New Visual Language For Comics – At San Diego Comic-Con

By Marilyn Weiss

Anyone familiar with the comics industry over the past couple of years is no stranger to the call for more diverse comics, both in terms of subject matter and comics creators. And while there have been some improvements in recent years, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Authors Nidhi Chanani, Ben Hatke, Nilah Margruder, Raina Telegemeir and Ron Wimberly sat down to discuss the current state of diversity in the comics industry. It was refreshing to see a comics panel about diversity that was actually diverse in its composition.

One of the main issues that kept coming up was diversity as a commodity, or the commodity of identity. All too often the identity of a diverse group is used to create diverse stories without actually including those same type of people in the comics creation. Diversity in comics isn't limited to just the characters. It should also extend to the art work and creators.

Telgemeir and Hatke both expressed apprehension about writing characters outside of their own experience. Often times telling one character's story can be interpreted to represent everyone, which is simply not realistic. To them it all comes down to research and respect. Both authors often draw not only from their own experiences, but the experiences of those around them as well. They ask questions and carefully consider the answers.

Wimberly pointed to the diversity of the real world as the control that comics creators should start with. "If diversity is the norm, then by changing it you are saying something. So you have to think about what you are trying to say by changing it."

One of the more interesting discussions during the panel was the idea of diversity in art styles. Wimberly pointed out that including diverse characters in a story actually involves creating new visual language. It involves new bodies and body language, new background and a new focus, which all works together to create more interesting art.

The panel called for fans to call louder for diversity in comics and creators. They also called on creators to shift their ideas of what is normal. Awareness is only the first step. It needs to be followed by action.

Marilyn Weiss is a contributor for Bleeding Cool and loves her job as a children's librarian. You can find hero on twitter @marilynjweiss

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