Author and self-described comic book geek William Jones will share his knowledge of black comic book heroes and illustration techniques at three events during the month of April.

Fans of science fiction, comics and the supernatural will find wisdom and inspiration during Jones’ appearances at a well-recognized comic book store in Philadelphia and two public libraries in Washington metro area. The events include a book signing, a lecture and a youth workshop.

Jones will make his first appearance on Saturday, April 8, 2017, from 1-3 p.m. at Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse in Philadelphia, where he will discuss and sign copies of his book, “The Ex-Con, Voodoo Priest, Goddess, and the African King: A Social, Cultural, and Political Analysis of Four Black Comic Book Heroes.”

Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse is located at 2578 Frankford Ave. in the Kensington neighborhood. The store is owned by Ariell Johnson, a proponent of the comic book world becoming more inclusive and the first African American woman to open a comic book store on the East Coast.

“Philadelphia has continued to show me a lot of support, and I truly appreciate it,” Jones said. “To be invited to such a widely recognized book store is incredible. I am really looking forward to my discussion and book signing at Amalgam.”

Jones will also be a speaker during the Spring 2017 African History and Culture Lecture Series at the Greenbelt branch of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. He will present “Black (Super) Power! The Portrayal of Black People in the World’s of Sci-Fi, Comics and the Supernatural” on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, from 7-8:30 p.m.

Greenbelt Library is located at 11 Crescent Road in Greenbelt, Md.

To wrap up the month, Jones will host a workshop for aspiring, young comic book illustrators at the Olney Library in Olney, Md. on Monday, April 17, 2017, from 4-5 p.m.

Jones’ “Basics of Comic Book Art and Illustration Workshop” will teach young people the basic techniques of comic book illustration and how to create comic book characters. Participants ages 7 to 10 years old are invited to preregister for the event on the Olney Library’s website. Attendance is limited for this spring break program sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Olney chapter.

“One of the best parts of what I do is working with the youth. It is always exciting to work enthusiastic young people,” Jones said. “These events are always so much fun!”

The library is located at 3500 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney, Md.
Jones frequently speaks on the subjects of the history of black people in America and the image of black people in various forms of media, pop culture and hip-hop music on college campuses and at conferences both nationally and abroad.

Jones is also the founder of Afrofuturism Network, an organization that seeks to support the ever-growing community of black writers, artists, and thinkers in the realms of sci-fi, fantasy, comic books and film, and analyzes the contributions and portrayal of black characters in these mediums. Additionally, Afrofuturism Network examines the role and place of black people in the past present and future and serves as a hub for black creativity and thought.

Learn more about Jones and Afrofuturism Network at www.afrofuturismnet.com

Media Contact
Company Name: Blue Artists
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email: info@blue-artists.com
Phone: 877-977-2023
City: Philadelphia
State: Pennsylvania
Country: United States
Website: www.afrofuturismnet.com