African Voices Summer 2017 AV Summer 2017 Digital Issue | Page 22

The Gallery
Renaissance Woman
Afua Richardson
Takes Comics World
by Storm
Afua Richardson is an African-Native American comic book illustrator best known for her works in the series,
“Black Panther World of Wakanda” written by Ta-Nehesi Coates and the first Black women to pen stories for
Marvel Comics, Roxane Gay and Yona Harvey. Other works of hers include “All Star Batman,” “Attack on
Titan” and “X-men 92.” She is one of the most celebrated Black women in the comic industry today for her
vivid colors and diverse depictions of superheroes. 
Afua is also a voice actor, a classically trained musician, singer, songwriter, and performer, sharing stages
with Sheila- E, Har Mar Superstar on Jimmy Fallon and performed with Emmy Award winner and four-time
Tony Award nominee Melvin Van Peebles in his early production of
“Unmitigated Truth: Life, a Lavatory, Loves and Ladies.” It was
previously titled “Brer Soul” a small three-man show where Afua
performed as six different characters alongside Peebles and guitarist
William Spaceman Patterson at the Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe and the
historic Apollo Theater in Harlem. Afua was also a background singer,
opening for Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Parliament Funkadelic.
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african Voices