What is ghettoManga?

Creator, Samax Amen describes “it’s all about comics, hip hop, news, art, and culture. In other words, anything I like or think is important can wind up within its pages.

My intent is to co-mingle fans of hip hop, anime, comics, sports, movies, fine art, urban fashion and politics, etc…to promote my work, and the work of those I consider fresh.”

Bottom line, Samax knows comic books and art; he’s a full-time freelance cartoonist, illustrator and artrepreneur with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Texas.

He created ghettoManga in the spring of 2006 and things took off from there.

Prior to ghettoManga, in 2001 Samax and some college friends (Corance, Mike, Mario, and Khalid) shared a love of

comic books and hip hop. Therefore calling themselves ghostWerks thus creating their first comic book entitled, The Champion of Children Afterschool Special in October 2001. They continue to work individually and as a group.

Some folks know that the definition of Manga is the Japanese word for “comics/cartoons.” I was introduced to ghettoManga back in 2008, I was looking for black comic books and black comic book illustrators.

Because frankly I didn’t believe any existed, alas…I was mistaken.

His blog opened up a whole new world to me. The best part about it? ghettoManga is an amalgamation of all my favorite things.

Hip Hop plays a huge role and it has no cut cards in displaying some of the best and rawest emcees to ever grace the mic. Combined with some of the dopest artists whom have every touched a pen, pencil, or paintbrush.

Since it is Dilla Month, I felt it was only right to display ghettoManga’s splendiferousness as well as the awesome talented artists’ creations he has posted.

Here he has displayed a piece by an artist named Chris Herod.

You can check out his work here: http://www.artofthescratch.blogspot.com/.

This next piece was done by the Emmy award winning artist/director/animator; Seung Eun Kim. He has helped create some of my favorite cartoon series, mainly The Boondocks of course.

Here is his vicious character sketch of the donuts man himself back in 2008.

To view more of his work, check out this link: http://kse332.deviantart.com/.

Last but not least, this piece is by the incomparable Mike Thompson aka Mike T. This gentleman has created some of the best illustrations for major companies, hip hop, video games, etc.

He was Illustrator of the Year in 2007, check out his slammin’ rendition of J Dilla that has been circulated many times and please peep his website: http://www.miketartworks.com/.

Samax has some pretty dope-jestic illustrated gems. Be sure to hit up the ghettoManga site if you’re an aspiring artist with some great illustration skills.

Here are some of his pieces and his website links are as follows:

http://ghettomanga.blogspot.com/

http://www.ziontific.blogspot.com/

(this site is an online gallery featuring some of his art amongst other upcoming projects he has in store).

Personal site: http://www.samaxamen.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ghettoManga

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghettoManga