Celebrate #28DaysOfBlackGirlsInComics with comic book artist Alitha E. Martinez.
It’s day thirteen of #28DaysOfBlackGirlsInComics and it’s exciting to see people thrilled to see this type of content. Let’s get right into it!
Support Black girls in comics: Alitha E. Martinez
Martinez boasts one hell of a resume. She has done artwork for Marvel titles such as The Invincible Iron Man, Miles Morales: Spider-Man, Moon Girl, and Devil Dinosaur as well as X-Men: Gold Annual #1. Martinez also did the majority of the artwork for Black Panther: World of Wakanda alongside writer Roxanne Gay. Additionally, the team for this title won the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic in 2018. Moreover, Martinez has done art for DC’s Batgirl alongside writer Gail Simone, Vertigo Quarterly CMYK #1, and even web comic Heroes (NBC). 
Currently, Martinez is also doing the art for DC Future State Immortal Wonder Woman, featuring both Diana and Nubia, the latter of which also features the writing talents of a fellow Black girl in comics L. L. McKinney.
Indie Work
In addition to mainstream content, Martinez has a host of indie content under her belt. Firstly, one might check out the horror comic Jook Joint she worked alongside writer Tee Franklin. Furthermore, what if you want to explore a more realistic approach to super-powered beings like in Omni? Additionally, what if you want harder sci-fi like what can be found in Foreign? Are you a fan of Voltron? Check out issues 9-11 of Voltron: Defender of the Universe published by Devil’s Due Publishing. Are you a fan of Image Comics? Be sure to pick up Lazarus: X+66 issue 4.
Featured Artist
In New York City 2020, the Society of Illustrators featured Martinez’s art for their exhibit Women in Comics: Looking Forward, Looking Back.
Stay Tuned!
Craving some queer comic content? Definitely check out It’s a Bird written by Christian Cooper with art by Martinez. It details a young black man who obtains a pair of binoculars he uses for birdwatching but gets more than he bargains for, including a racist encounter with a “Karen”. It’s a Bird is available now for free on digital platforms and will be a part of a larger anthology called Represent! which is coming soon this year in 2021.
Not New On the Scene
Martinez, while making a splash these days due to her incredible art featuring diversity, is not new. Martinez has been around and sets the tone for countless titles for some time now. Black girls in comics, new and recent, can use more recognition and distinction, and Martinez is no exception. We want to encourage young and adult readers to see Black girls as the default in their fiction lit as well.
