This is Love At the Drawing Board
May 1, 2024
Ray Billingsley, creator of the comic strip Curtis, discusses his journey in representing Black characters authentically in art. He shares insights on the challenges he faced, the development of Curtis comic characters, and addressing social issues like police brutality and the pandemic in his storyline.
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Early Cartooning Days
- Ray Billingsley lived in a rough New York neighborhood while pursuing cartooning.
- He diligently worked on freelance artwork and sketches in solitude.
Dreamt Characters
- Ray Billingsley consistently created comic strip proposals from a young age, facing rejections.
- One night, he dreamt of characters, sketched them in the dark, and discovered Curtis and Barry.
Curtis Comic Strip
- Curtis explores the trials and tribulations of a Black family in the inner city.
- The story unfolds through the perspective of 11-year-old Curtis.