Eureka Adapts Early African-American Classics

There's a rich history of literature out there that isn't comics. It's most likely because when said literature was being created the idea of comics was a little strange. I mean, can you imagine Romeo and Juliet as a comic (full disclosure: Stan Lee has)? That doesn't mean that those works shouldn't be adapted into a comic, which is where Eureka Productions and their African-American Classics: Graphic Classics Volume 22 comes into play.

The work presents comic adaptations of stories and poems by some of America's earliest black authors, illustrated by contemporary black artists. The volume is co-edited by Tom Pomplun and Lance Tooks, a longtime contributing artist to the series.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity to expose young readers of all races to a group of brilliant American authors who’ve never been adapted into the comics medium, interpreted by some of our industry’s top talent,” states Lance.

This volume presents stories including “Two Americans” by Florence Lewis Bentley, “The Goophered Grapevine” by Charles W. Chesnutt, “Becky” by Jean Toomer, two short plays by Zora Neale Hurston, and six more tales of humor and tragedy. Also featured are graphic interpretations of eleven poems, including Langston Hughes’ “The Negro,” Claude McKay’s “America,” and Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “Sympathy.”

The comics adaptations and illustrations are by artists such as Kyle Baker, Alex Simmons, Christopher Priest, Afua Richardson, Trevor Von Eeden, Jeremy Love and Milton Knight.

The collection should be available now. Full press release after the jump.

EUREKA ADAPTS EARLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN CLASSICS

Eureka Productions is pleased to announce the release of African-American Classics: Graphic Classics Volume 22, the newest volume in the Graphic Classics® series of comics adaptations of great literature.

African-American Classics presents comics adaptations of great stories and poems by America’s earliest black authors, illustrated by contemporary black artists. The volume is co-edited by Tom Pomplun and Lance Tooks, a longtime contributing artist to the series. “This is an unprecedented opportunity to expose young readers of all races to a group of brilliant American authors who’ve never been adapted into the comics medium, interpreted by some of our industry’s top talent,” states Lance.

This volume presents stories including “Two Americans” by Florence Lewis Bentley, “The Goophered Grapevine” by Charles W. Chesnutt, “Becky” by Jean Toomer, two short plays by Zora Neale Hurston, and six more tales of humor and tragedy. Also featured are graphic interpretations of eleven poems, including Langston Hughes’ “The Negro,” Claude McKay’s “America,” and Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “Sympathy.”

The comics adaptations and illustrations are by some of the best black talent in the comics and illustration fields today, including Kyle Baker, Alex Simmons, Christopher Priest, Afua Richardson, Trevor Von Eeden, Jeremy Love and Milton Knight.

The Graphic Classics series presents the works of great authors in comics adaptations and heavily-illustrated text. The adaptations are written at an adult level, and utilize as much of the author’s original language as possible. Our goal is to create books that are enjoyable for adults, yet accessible to children ages twelve and up. Graphic Classics are available in bookstores and comics shops nationally, or direct from the publisher, Eureka Productions at http: ⁄ ⁄ www.graphicclassics.com. Libraries and schools can order from Diamond Book Distributors, Baker & Taylor, Ingram, Follett or other distributors.