Posted at 8:30 a.m. - Thursday, September 25

[Excessive Force courtesy of Kiss Me Comix Gallery]

In a previous post, I wrote about independent comic book creator Matt Kubinski.  In this Profile In Comics posting, I wanted to introduce you to one of Chicago's local comic book publishers, Kiss Me Comix.

There are a few things about Kiss Me Comix that makes it a truly unique publisher.  First, it is self-described as 'Chicago's only active African-American publisher in the Roseland community.'

The founders go on to say that 'there are only 3 people running Kiss Me Comix doing the work of an entire corporation. We all have regular jobs and still find time to produce comics.'  In today's market, that is an impressive feat indeed.

And the one aspect of Kiss Me Comix that fascinates me the most is that 'two of [their] titles Lynx and Spectrum are produced by children.'

Kiss Me Comix is most obviously, and most admirably, a family operation.  Producing titles like 'Excessive Force' and 'Serenade', the comics themselves possess an earnestness and flair of a group of folks who just want to have a good time with the medium.   In an industry that is in desperate need for diversity, both in its content and in the creators, Kiss Me Comix appears to fill a niche quite nicely.

Admittedly, their product lacks the polish of other publishers but they will state that 'while Kiss Me Comix is not perfect, we have built a stable reputation out there in the independent scene, and are a work in progress each year we have something new for our readers, which is a hard thing for most indies.

A hard thing indeed, especially considering the shrinking numbers in readership and the overall apathy by the 'Big Two' for ideas that stretch beyond the customary capes and tights set.

In Kiss Me Comix, you've got a family run company where the kids get to participate creatively; that's minority-run and reflects their vision; and is independent in every sense of the word.

Truly remarkable.

If you'd like to learn more about Kiss Me Comix, you can visit their website where you can see previews, artwork and even a presentation video.

You can even meet the good folks of Kiss Me Comix on Oct. 12Th-14Th at Black Age of Comics XI, with various locations culminating at iAziz Bookstore in Lincoln Mall, Matteson, IL.

[UPDATE: Click HERE for more info on Black Age of Comics XI]

If you are a local comic artist, writer or publisher and have an event or project you'd like to have featured in a future Profile In Comics, just drop me a line!

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I am glad for Kiss Me Comix, I had printed some of their books in the past, when I used to do that. Also, as an indy artist myself they are some great people and I hope they get the respect they deserve in the end.

Take care and god bless.

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