The sign above says it all; I really don’t need to say anything else. But, of course, I will.

I cannot say enough about what groups like The Antidote Trust could mean for the future of Independant Comic Books. The reason I can’t say enough is because, to my knowledge there are no other groups quite like this one. We could point to Image and say the germ of the idea for independant creators to come together and pool their resources while retaining the rights and creative control over their products was planted in the early nineties. Yeah, we could say that, but it’d be misleading. Each of those guys had made a name for themselves at the big two. They weren’t self made like the Antidote Trust crew. They honed their considerable talent while working on the most popular characters during a boom period for the medium. How could they not have been successful (actually, IMO in the long term they weren’t successful, but that’s another rant for another day). And they had another thing going for them. They were all, with the exception of Jim Lee and my Filipino brother Whilce Portacio, caucasian.

But persistence and diversity aren’t the only things that make The Antidote Trust the answer to the myriad questions of those dissatisfied with the Image model. For one it’s populated by a group of grown men (and women) with boyhood (and girlhood) enthusiasm concerned with promoting the medium (that being independant comic books and their by-products) more than themselves. What a rare quality in a group of creators. Somewhere each member has gained an insight the Image guys never discovered….as the group prospers, I succeed.  That’s not to say they don’t each have their own individual streams for their creations. How else could they truly call themselves independant. But, in the tradition of the great super hero teams of yesteryear they come together when it makes sense and they always have each other’s backs.

Hmmm…ya know instead of comparing them to Image let’s compare them to that great shouldabeen team…The Brotherhood.

Let’s see now…keep in mind I can only make the comparisons with members I’ve actually met.

Robert Roach —Let’s go with Icon. His wisdom about the industry is truly beyond his years. He’s a cat other cats look up to and step aside for. He’s made himself available for all the Rockets of the Trust to benefit from his guidance.

 

Andre Owns—Okay, this is easy, Green Lantern. The dude’s imagination is as limitless as the cosmos his characters indwell. His soldierlike adherence to the group is commendable. And let’s face it he seems to have a thing for the color green as evidenced by his feature character Francisco The SuperGreen.

Korby Marks— Don’t you dare piss off the Black Panther of Independant Comics. With aspirations of building an entertainment empire this brother is in a whole ‘nother Wakanda. He’s focused and fearless and as talented as they come. Quite frankly, I’m glad he’s a good guy. BTW, he even has his own version of the Dora Milaje. Check it out.

 

Mike Sales— He’s a writer, he’s an artist and he’s publisher of quality Comics, so of course he’s Triathlon (Mike actually wears many more hats than those but Multiple Man didn’t quite fit the analogy). To be good at so many facets of the business and still be a team player is a super power all by itself.

Sterling Ashby—The word I’d use to describe him within the context of our limited time together is noble. That is he exhibited a quiet confidence and demeanor that was refreshing in the midst of the haukers and squawkers of Comic-Con. In producing Historically Accurate Action Figures of Persons of Color, this brother does an important work. Just as the Falcon can see through the eyes of birds in the vicinity he’s in, Sterling seems to have the power to see through the windows of time itself, and with his creations…he gives us a glimpse. (note: I didn’t get an individual pic of Spencer at the Con. He’s the tall smoothe brotha with glasses in the back of the group photo)

Hannibal Tabu—Some might say this brother struggles with the dark side but that would be innaccurate. He has clearly taken over hell and rules it with a passion (did he really say he didn’t care if the KKK endorsed him as long as they spelled his name right). But, like his counterpart Spawn he doesn’t let the fact that he’s a demon of the highest order get in the way of his loyalty to his peeps. His writing is supernatural and his very presence brings legitimacy to any team. Suffice it to say I like the hell out of the dude.

 

So that’s The Antidote Trust  as you’ve never imagined them before. I haven’t met all of the individuals involved but I hope to very soon. I believe in what they’re doing and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that their goals as a group fit so well with our goals here at Africomics. Who knows the team may be in need of a Bishop in the near future.

Deac

Q) Hey Deac, what about Storm and Pulsar? Are you sexist or something.

A) No way. While at the con I almost met the very lovely Lakota Souix, but she was so captivated by Mr. Marks she didn’t even notice me trying to introduce myself. I wandered away and ran into these two worthy candidates for the team.