Ra’Chaun Rogers is one of the most underrated talents that has been on the indie comic scene since 2006! He currently runs the blog nelomaxwellexperience, has written a few articles for Worldofblackheroes.com, and is an all-around cool dude. Rogers has written the Indy comic book series Lawful Evil and The Menagerie: Entangle. This month we spotlight Ra’Chaun Rogers creator of Dark Spider!
- Introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Ra’Chaun Rogers, writer, and co-creator of the comic Lawful Evil and writer for Concept Moon Studios.
- How did you get started in the comic industry?
I’ve been around the industry since 2006 when I started working at Forbidden Planet comics in New York City, I always knew I wanted to write comics but was not sure how to go about getting my foot in the door. So started writing reviews first for mainstream titles and then for indie comics by creators of color.
- Who were your early influences?
Karl Bollers, Christopher Priest, and Brian Michael Bendis.
- What comic books did you collect or read while growing up?
Daredevil, a lot of Daredevil, Green Arrow, and Black Panther.
- Who do you think are the top five black superheroes out there and why?
Titan the Ultraman, is the everyman superhero, more so than any I have read in the modern era.
Will Power, he’s like the modern indie Captain America, likable and just an all-around good guy
Lucius Hammer, if ever a hero embodied a strong and fearless black man, who knows his place in the world and what his presence means.
MegaWoman, the character just screams icon, from her costume to her powers she has all the ingredients for a new classic.
Dodger, brings rage and grit that I haven’t seen in comics since Miller’s Daredevil.
- If you could rewrite any character which one would it be and why?
Patriot /Eli Bradley, I’ve never seen a character more poorly used than with him. Here is a kid who is from the lineage of Truth, during a time when his righteous anger could be useful, when his point of view could have been crucial to the redevelopment of one Sam Wilson, he was replaced. Now I don’t have an issue with the new Patriot but Eli had so much potential especially if he teamed with Sam during and after his run as Cap.
- Given the success of books like Watson & Holmes and Midnight Tiger, what other books do you see having mainstream appeal?
Ret: Con written by Robert Jeffery and published by 133Art. It’s high-concept sci-fi on par with Jonathan Hickman without all the intricate diagrams.
Is’nana: The Were-Spider written by Greg Anderson Elysee and published by Webway. The heir to Neil Gaiman’s Sandman if ever there was one.
- If there were anything you would say to someone looking to get into the comic industry; especially a person of color; what would it be?
Be serious, I came up in high school with a lot of cats who wanted to write comics, it seemed all of us did. But I’m the only one who published and kept doing so. So take this as seriously as you would any other career because you get out what you put in. I would also say for the writers of color out there, read comics, read novels, read books on writing like Story by Robert McKee or Stephen King’s On Writing. Also read books by black authors from any genre especially the ones you want to write in, understand how your experience is and can be important to those reading your work. Lastly, never give up, because someone out there is going to like your work.
- Is there anyone in particular you would like to work with in the future or on a book?
Joe Robinson Currie of The Almighty Street Team, Brian Mark Williams of Soul Hammer comics, and Tyler Martin from Godhood Comics
- What is the central premise behind your book Lawful Evil (Series)?
Betrayal and belonging. Everyone at one time or another has felt betrayed and everyone at one time or another has wanted a place to belong. These are human issues, and we’re looking to tell a human story.
- Lawful Evil looks good. How did you decide on the art style for the book?
Thank you, well we wanted something that was able to illustrate the graphic bits of the book without shying away from its superhero roots. So the artist we initially had was working well, then she vanished and we had to get the rest of the book done by two other illustrators. But in all instances, we wanted to maintain the superhero aesthetic that is at the book’s heart.
- Who is Lawful Evil’s (Series) target audience? It’s a pretty…graphic book (laugh)
The target audience in terms of age is 18-45. The target audience in terms of sensibilities are people who know heartbreak and who enjoy sex or at least the idea of it. Also, I feel like most people have sex more often than they commit acts of violence, so it’s for those folks too. I wanted to write a comic for people with adult relationships, like myself. Sometimes they are hot and steamy, sometimes they’re sad and angry.
- How is your titular character different from say Luke Cage or other black superheroes?
He’s not at all cool and doesn’t try to be. Even Static/ Virgil Hawkins, the nerd that he was, was popular among his friends and even peers. Dark Spider doesn’t really have that until he goes bad.
- What other project or projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently writing Profit the Hitman for Concept Moon comics, I’m teaming up with Tony Kittrell and Vince White to work on Spin Doctor and the Shadow Six, a crossover we’ve been talking about for a while. I’ve also got an anthology coming out centered around black romance and intimacy among superpowered beings. I work on it with a collective I head to called the Black Erotic Alliance. I also plan to revive my Hierophants comic next year. I’ll get back to writing reviews at some point before that, and I’m working on a novel.
- What’s the experience been like working in comics?
I’ve enjoyed it mostly, I haven’t run into many people I’ve found unpleasant. One thing I did notice is that there do tend to be cliques, at least in our little corner of the industry, which was disappointing to learn since I didn’t really like High School. Other than that it’s been enjoyable, I’ve learned a lot and the more I learn the more my passion for this medium grows. I’ve been fortunate to have people put me on game about the industry especially as that pertains to being a black man, they know who they are and I thank them greatly.
- Why do you think it’s so hard for Indy creators to get mainstream coverage?
There are a number of factors, but I think the biggest one may be Diamond Comics Distributors. I know there are other distribution routes but so many comic stores seem to solely rely on DCD for what to buy and what people will read. If you can’t get into their catalog then you’re going to have a tough time with it.
- Which of your black characters besides Dark Spider, do you think fans should keep an eye on? Why?
The Geist from my first comic The Hierophants, he’s the exact opposite of Dark Spider, cooler than the north pole and more confident than a fish at a swim meet. He battles a lot of eldritch and Lovecraftian horrors, so if you dig that you’ll like him.
Scarlet Recluse she’ll show up in Lawful Evil soon she’s an assertive and empathetic hero with her own duties201 without the stereotypical sassy demeanor mainstream comic creators seem to give every black woman in the world.
Also while I didn’t create the character I write Profit the Hitman, who is a highly skilled and somewhat aloof hitman, who is coming into his Godhood in cyberpunk megalopolis. It has a bit of an anime feel so if that’s your thing then check him out.
- Name three independent books that you would like to see as movies.
Project: Wildfire by Quinn McGowan and Hannibal Tabu
Mega Woman By Tyler Martin
AceBlade By Danny J. Quick and Christopher Hollars
- What are your thoughts on the current political climate in America and the Black lives matter movement?
I think the climate is that of Hell’s Kitchen. It’s hot as they say and people are making their sides very clear. I think it’s unfortunate that black people this year especially have to choose between the lesser of two evils once again, as it relates to our well-being in this country. As for the BLM movement itself, I think it’s as effective as it can be.
- What is the biggest obstacle that Indy creators must overcome to be taken seriously alongside mainstream companies like Marvel and DC Comics?
More consistent production, and an indy film or web series. For whatever reason people don’t take comics seriously unless they’re being used to make money in some other medium, the problem with that is most people don’t know a movie or show was based on a comic book until afterward or sometimes never.
- Which was more influential Blade or Black Panther?
If you mean in terms of movies, Black Panther. Most people didn’t know that Blade was based on a comic, Marvel did it no favors by doing little to nothing with the character. At least Marvel started hiring black writers after they saw what the movie could do.
- Why is Worldofblackheroes.com important for Black Superheroes and Black Creators alike?
Because we don’t have many places if any that showcase our characters and our stories. Nerd culture is not as all-inclusive as it pretends and comics are even less so. It is also a great way to allow fans to discover new characters and stories.
Check back next time as we continue to MEET THE INDEPENDENTS!
If you are a black indy writer or have a series starring a black protagonist then send us an email at Worldofblackheroes@gmail with the subject “Meet the Independents” for your chance to be the next indy spotlight!
Worldofblackheroes where indy creators get mainstream coverage, BELIEVE IT!