By Jeff Carroll – Writer, Filmmaker, Comic Book Creator
Comic Cons are changing. More and more, they’re becoming big cosplay parties filled with toys, trinkets, and walls of Funko Pops. The days of meeting indie creators with original ideas—stories that may never make it past mainstream publisher gatekeepers—seem to be fading. That might be true for most comic cons, but not for ECBACC, baby.
The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC), celebrating its 24th anniversary on May 17th at Temple University, might as well be a creator-owned comic convention. Of the thirty-something vendors in attendance, only a handful sold anything other than the comics they wrote, drew, and published themselves.
Founded by the visionary Yumy Odom and organized by the tireless Stephanie Bradford and Shenkarr Davis ECBACC, the event felt more like a family reunion than a corporate comic spectacular. ECBACC was alive with cosplayers and creators alike, with a steady flow of comic book nerds and enthusiasts keeping vendors engaged and energized. This was not nostalgia or mainstream mimicry—this was *Black creativity on display*, with new characters, new powers, and bold new storytelling on every table.
Marcus Roberts, who shared a table with me, drove up from Florida to showcase his company, Second Sight Publishing. Last year, they dropped a game-changer in the industry: SHOOK, an anthology of Black horror stories that lived up to its name. Meanwhile, Adhim Deveaux came equipped with four different covers for his vigilante action comic, The Unforgiving SCRUFF.
More than 27 guests filled the program, some hosting vendor tables, others leading workshops and panels across six different rooms. Sessions ranged from illustration tutorials and writing workshops to insightful roundtable discussions. One standout was Naseed Gifted, who presented an animated short based on his comic PB Soldier—a powerful blend of storytelling and animation.
Of course, no comic con is complete without cosplayers. ECBACC welcomed cosplaying guests who mingled with attendees, sold merchandise, and brought visual flair to the convention space. When you see a cosplayer, you know you’re at a comic con—and ECBACC brought that full aesthetic to life.
But what truly sets ECBACC apart is the Glyph Awards, now celebrating their 20th year. These awards honor Black comics in categories like Best Cover, Best Writer, Best Artist, Best Male and Female Characters, Rising Star, and Fan Favorite. In a time when diversity is under attack and Blackness is often marginalized, ECBACC stands as an “oasis”, a vibrant outpost where fresh, original ideas flourish beyond recycled mainstream formulas.
I flew up from Florida not just to sell books and network—but for the whole experience. ECBACC is a creative boost. Even the Program Guide is a collector’s item, packed with tributes to comic and Hollywood legends we’ve lost, and featuring an enlightening interview with the great Rich Watson, founder of the Glyph Awards and a true giant in the Black comics world.
ECBACC is more than a con—it’s a movement. It’s the future of comics. And yes, the future is Black—and ECBACC is the catalyst.
You can find me, **Jeff Carroll**, through my https://linktr.ee/jeffcarrolllinks
