Posted in: Comics | Tagged: comic con, Comics, entertainment, meccacon, michael davis, michaeldavis, milestone

Meccacon, Milestone And How It Should Be – Michael Davis, From The Edge

Michael Davis is an artist, writer, mentor, and entertainment executive. He writes,

Founded in 2013 by Maia "CROWN" Williams, MECCACON has quietly become the Midwest's largest ethnic comic book convention.

'Quietly' is not something I'm fond of. Especially if there is something important that should be known, shown and supported. Within the African American convention space there exists a whole lot of different 'camps' and depending on what camp you belong to you may or may not take up a certain charge.

Mecca Con is well known among the Black comics creative community yet very little is broadcast from that community to each other and none to speak of to the mainstream 'white' comic world.

Like the East Coast Black Age Of Comics and the Motor City Black Age Of Comics, Mecca Con was started as a place where people of color could go and find both African American content and like-minded folk.

To that end there is no one camp that should be recognized as bigger or better. Unlike San Diego Comic Con International and the New York Comic Con it makes little sense to compete. Those two giants are catering to an existing audience. Mecca Con and the Black Age Of Comics are fighting to enlighten an audience they even exist.

Not only do they exist, despite odds and circumstances stacked against them, they thrive.

Within those convention walls young and old will encounter universes filled with people of color. Upon seeing the comics it's a short journey to Manga, fine art, Indie film,

Illustration, steampunk, independent film, gaming handcrafted artisans, clothing designers sci-fi and youth literature.

All of those areas will be front and center this weekend at MECCACON

September 18-19 Detroit Public Library. I know this for sure because I spoke to Maia or, as she liked to be called, Crown.

Crown is a huge fan of Black comics who saw a need to bring more Black creative content to the community. She is the only black woman single handily organizing a comic book convention in the country, black or otherwise and has no problem telling you that.

Good for her.

Black people have so little representation in mainstream entertainment it's important to let things like this be known. Also as important or maybe more important is support for Black product within the Black creative community. You would think that's a give in but no, far from it. Too much weight is given 'beefs' completely outshining the positive. To that end I'd like to clarify something.

My recent articles and posts featuring Milestone 2.0 have resulted in two camps. In one camp, Milestone NO, some has expressed such disgust with M2.0 over my treatment they won't buy the books.

The vast majority is in the other camp, Milestone GO, excited beyond words M2.0 is finally here. Believe it or not, that's the camp I'm in.

The return of Milestone is bigger than any issues I have with the partners. I do and will fully support the work coming out of Milestone 2.0. I've said and written repeatedly since the announcement what Denys and Reggie come up with can't be less than fantastic.

Both are master storytellers and if that wasn't enough now add Christopher Priest and Milestone 2.0 is on a whole other, other, level.

Combined they achieve a level unheard of in American comics as each of those boys bring with them a body of work touched by few, envied by many and equaled by none.

Within the African American space each of them is a Milestone on their own and the work they will produce will change the landscape of the industry of this I have no doubt.

With that kind of star power, Black star power, I won't hesitate for a moment to promote the new universe coming out of M2.0. Like I said Black people have so little representation in mainstream entertainment as a result few Black kids see heroes that look like them.

Milestone's partners and I have unfinished business or perhaps our business is finished as & with it my Milestone story. That's OK. My story isn't what's important. The stories those three brothers and the fantastic talent they have working with them are about to tell, that's important. The young brothers and sisters waiting for more Black heroes will see some this weekend at MECCACON and soon even more from Milestone 2.0

Good. That's how it should be.

For more information about MECCACON drop an email to AmonyetEnterprises@gmail.com

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