Diversity in Comics/Novels

Bokyongyo 2021-02-12 20:11:40 UTC #97

I think representation is important but I also think making a character a actual character is even more important; one of my main character’s companions, Kuaji T. Adeyemi (known as Tree) whom isn’t introduced in my comic yet, is of black descent but when I was making him my objective wasn’t to make a black character but to make a character that I would love to write who happens to be black.

Him being black is a bonus yes because I do know that again representation is very important but with that fact, that same representation isn’t the sole driving force of his character. Last thing I’d want is Tree to be known as “the black character” because he is so much more than that lmfao.

Really great thread though, stuff like this is important

Lady_T_Musings 2021-02-12 21:26:19 UTC #98

Woof that's a whole nother thing right there. Like already having diversity built into your work from the get-go but having people tease you about it. SMH, talk about backward :/.

Go on ahead Kura and lay down them truths!

That's some perseverance in the face of adversity yo and I'm mad that you were made to feel as though you had to hide or "fix" your work when it was perfectly natural and that it's like that for so many people is similar positions. I am glad that in your own way you kept pressing forward though, that's what's up.

I felt this in my heart and it touched my bones. In the simplest way that gets the point across, It's nice to know that other people outside your circle see you as another human being the way you are.

Lady_T_Musings 2021-02-12 21:28:53 UTC #99

Happy Black History Month to you too!

It sounds like you are on a journey of discovery and learning what inclusion and diversity look like to you :D.

Thanks for sharing

Lady_T_Musings 2021-02-12 22:10:35 UTC #100

Thank you Remy for sharing your thoughts and experiences on this topic. Your story is very much welcomed in this discussion and glad you shared it here

Though I don't know your personality and our experiences are different, I get you on that front when your a creative individual making content and don't even consider yourself, people like you, or your culture as being a protagonist worthy.

It's wild bc you are the creator so it seems like it would be natural to include aspects of yourself that stem from cultural/racial/ethnic standpoint, but when we don't see ourselves in the media we consume, or are made to feel that we won't be as "palatable" to other consumers... it can have this effect on us. It's messed up and has served to make many of us feel down low.

It's something we have to consciously face in order to overcome and be aware of why we think the way we do when we are hit by these thoughts (or other peoples statements like how @Kura was expressed in how they approached being target growing up for trying to make a space that represented them.) in order to reinforce that there is nothing wrong with our race or culture/ethnicity and we have every right to be represented. Especially if we have to make the representation ourselves.

Lady_T_Musings 2021-02-12 22:16:41 UTC #101

Ah your characters look fun and them expressions got me smiling haha! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the topic and adding to this conversation as well.

Good character building first that is supplemented by including diversity is definitely the way to go in my book too!

RemyHope 2021-02-12 22:20:51 UTC #102

Oh no, thank you for sharing this space to think!
Although I spoke of the "negative", it is beautiful and fun to see so much diversity on this platform, and I hope it can continue in the same way and improving more and more.

TheGentleArtist 2021-02-12 22:24:59 UTC #103

You're welcome ^__^ and it will be an educational journey.

RemyHope 2021-02-12 22:31:48 UTC #104

OMG yes, we are known (and proud!) for our presence in soccer. We have such good players! I thinks it's the only thing we are known for but we love it HAHAHA.
Wow, thank you for sharing your experience, I didn't know about that! It's fun and useful to learn about these facts. I am now "stuck" in some chinese fandoms thanks to novels, and I know most of the content is made in mandarin, and for lack of knowledge I never sopped to think about it.
What you do is awsome! I would love to see your content!

Lady_T_Musings 2021-02-12 22:37:47 UTC #105

Live in your truth Macati, that's what's up. Thanks for sharing :)!

RemyHope 2021-02-12 22:37:53 UTC #106

I think the same! Like I said to other people, It's so much fun to see and learn about countries and cultures that are not well known or popular. Diversity is incredible, and help us put aside the hegemonic to be able to see the other side of the same coin.

RemyHope 2021-02-12 22:42:15 UTC #107

Hi! This is my novel. It's just starting so we won't see anything from Oliver's nationality yet, but it will come, I promise! Thank you very much for asking <3

Lady_T_Musings 2021-02-12 22:45:46 UTC #108

Yo Maice ty for sharing!

Character development and inclusion of the complex layers that make up a persons being are a key element to not making a "bad" character period. Also having characters that are also a part of the BIPOC race represented that aren't "bad guys" can help with balance. Since you have a small cast, but over half fall within the BIPOC from what you've shown, I think you are doing a fine job at showing the range people can have despite/with their race.

One of the beautiful things about telling a story. You decide the angle it is shown form :D.

joannekwan 2021-02-12 22:50:22 UTC #109

Oh yeah! Wuxia and the like exploded over the past few years. It's cool to see people get exposed to this stuff but there's so much that's overlooked too like all the different ethnic groups within China. It's a huge country and it'd be great to see more media about them outside of documentaries.

Like one summer in college I traveled with my professor and student teacher to Dimen, a village in Southern China where we got to learn about the Kam people. We spent about 3 weeks there and learned about their crafts and their daily life and so forth. They have their own language, but anyone under 60 spoke Mandarin as well. We had a translator with us so I'm sure it was interesting for them to see her with an American-Chinese and two Eastern European ladies.

And you can find my library of works here~

kaetana 2021-02-12 23:04:32 UTC #110

I've been really enjoying looking at all the great art in this thread and hearing everyone's perspectives, really interesting stuff! Diversity is always a goal for me in my character design, and it's really helpful to hear the opinions of POC on the topic since I'm white myself. I think diverse character designs and writing are important for a lot of the reasons already shared in this thread - it's beneficial for people to get to see characters like themselves, and likewise for people to see characters different from themselves! It's also just good character design imo, it helps make characters more distinct from each other. Especially since I'm creating a fantasy comic, I like to be able to showcase a wide variety of skin tones and character types.

Here's a couple of pieces showcasing the variety in character designs, first the main characters, and then one of the pantheons of deities in my setting.

queen_of_spades 2021-02-13 20:25:56 UTC #111

Hi... I subscribed you right now... Have a great weekend

RemyHope 2021-02-14 01:07:04 UTC #112

OMG thank you so much <3 <3

Siromany 2021-02-14 21:56:51 UTC #113

Happy Black History Month!!!
As a white trans man when I make characters of different ethnicities I try to make sure that I can get the experiences right and representative, while also making a character their own person. I live in California so like, seeing racial diversity was pretty normal for me growing up, as well as having aunts and uncles in interracial marriages and having black and mexican cousins. But still being a white person, I want to make sure I'm getting things right by consulting with people of those backgrounds.

My comic as well also takes place in California, so having a whole white cast is extremely unrealistic and also bland. I want to have a cast that feels natural.
Two of the four main characters, Deja and Demona, are black and afro-latina mexican respectively. (They haven't appeared in comic just yet but Deja's coming in real soon (: )

Deja:

Demona:

There's also reoccurring characters like Deja's wife Belle who is senegalese

And one of the kids that Demona takes care of named Laila (I haven't been able to digitalize her ref just yet)

Diversity is natural and people who absolutely refuse to draw BIPOC because they don't fit their style are using it as an excuse not to draw them.

starless 2021-02-14 23:58:22 UTC #114

Hi! Thank you for the thread. Most characters in my sci-fi webcomic series are African, West Asian and multiracial. It's set in the future and has so much freedom to celebrate diversity and I love it

CyberAxl 2021-02-15 02:34:42 UTC #115

Thanks so much! I luckily had very proactive and educated parents that helped me navigate through different world lenses. And because of my futuristic setting, there are ways to show people with 'disabilities' who have cybernetic alterations to help with character design. One of the starting characters has an eye patch and refuses to get an implant simply because he looks cool and says he doesn't need it to function at 100%.

Here's the link to the comic! The second issue actually comes out tomorrow!

Lady_T_Musings 2021-02-15 15:39:04 UTC #116

It's been pretty cool right! That's what's up, your characters all look very distinct and it makes your world feel so alive and intriguing seeing so many kinds of people that exist from not only looks but also fashion and stances as well. Thank you for including your work and thoughts on the topic. It warms my heart to hear and see how including all types of folks is something you strive for in your work and enjoy doing