Watch Podcast Episode on Youtube
Listen to the Podcast Episode with _
Shomari Simmons (@illyworld) Shomari joins us on the Black Superheroes Matter Podcast. Shomari is the creator, writer and self publisher of his web comic strip “Lil Shu n’ Them” as well as a senior graphic designer. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, he has always had a passion for creativity whether he’s creating experiences or being inspired by the creativity of others. Shomari Simmons talks about his coloring book titled “Lil’ Shu n’ Them” and how meaningful it is to have kids see themselves represented in the artwork they love. “I visited a school during Black History month and did a reading and that was a wonderful experience because the kids were just so happy to see kids that looked like them in a coloring book.”
Notes from podcast:
4:52-5:20 “I visited a school during Black History month and did a reading and that was a wonderful experience because the kids were just so happy to see kids that looked like them in a coloring book”
8:15-8:33 “It’s a different avenue, especially for Black creators now, you can’t go through the traditional means, trying to go through stores sometimes because of the overhead or the things that you have to produce, or the on demand printing and what they require.”
8:38-8:49 “Schools just define your audience. What I’ve noticed with the audience sometimes is that your audience may not be on the same channels as the mainstream comics”
11:35-11:54 “You can look at traditional characters like Batman, I mean you’ve got people who don’t even read the comic who are fans of the character, you know? And that says a lot about that particular character. There’s people that identify with these characters that don’t even really know anything about them just because of the way the characters embedded into the culture.”
20: 24-20:58 “Just the power of art and when I started seeing books like Brother Man when I was a kid and just seeing different Black characters out there, I would get fascinated. And then when I saw the people behind it that looked just like me and that was impactful. I think it’s important, representation is just important.”
25:50- 26:13 “Keep doing it and doing it and learning from your mistakes and getting better. If you write you just have to keep writing, you have to keep coming up with ideas, you just have to hone in on your craft and really practice. It sounds so simple when people say it but it’s a hard challenge”
29:03-29:30 “You feel that frustration as a creative and everything and then it’s almost like you jump into something and punish yourself because you want to do it and you get frustrated with yourself but then you go right back to it because you love it and it’s just like I want it to be right, I’m challenging myself”
Bio
Shomari Simmons is the creator, writer and self publisher of his web comic strip “Lil Shu n’ Them” and also a senior graphic designer. He has recently self-published a children’s coloring book en title “Lil Shu n Them Coloring Book” available for purchase through Amazon. Shomari was born and raised in Atlanta Ga. He began drawing seriously in the 5th grade and was accepted in the Magnet Visual Arts Program at Tri-Cities High School. Shomari later attended and graduated from Atlanta College of Art, now renamed as SCAD Atlanta, with a degree in electronic arts/computer animation. He is married to Denita Simmons and they are raising 3 wonderful and loving children. When Shomari is not working on his comic strip IP (intellectual property), or graphic design projects he likes watching movies, reading comics, listening to music, family time, drawing fan art, traveling and engaging with social media art challenges. Shomari has always had a passion for creativity. Whether he is creating experiences or being inspired by the creativity of others. You can see more of his work and follow him on Instagram at illyworld.
What do you do?
Full time graphic designer. Creator and writer of the Lil’ Shu n’ Them web comic strip
How did you get started?
Years back I did some drawings developing the Lil’ Shu n Them Characters. I wanted to create a story that was a representation of black children. I think representation is important and it’s really hard to find stories of black children in the mainstream. especially back in the late 90s early 2000. back then it went by a different name. I was looking to make it into animation at some point. Being that I didn’t have a budget or the time to make it into the full animation I put it on the Shelf. Some personal things happen in my life and I just didn’t proceed any further. As time went on I started to draw more again. So I pulled these old characters out and started thinking. Webcomics are still popular and some of my friends and peers are making webcomics and comic books. So I started thinking maybe this would work better as a web comic then animation. I really wanted to create and work out the ideas I had over the years for this project. It was frustrating me not to be able to complete it. So I started re working the character designs and developing strip ideas. I had to find a way to make the project work with my life schedule. I am married with a family and a full time design job. So I have to think realistically about how much time I could afford to put into the project and handle my other responsibilities. So a web comic strip made more sense. Then I just started creating and publishing the strip on the web.
How has COVID-19 affected you?
COVID-19 has affected my whole family. We are doing school from home. I have been blessed to be able to work from home with my design job. Prior to COVID-19 I had the opportunity to do a book reading at an elementary school in Tallahassee, FL and I had plans to do more school readings of my published Lil’ Shu n’ Them coloring book, but the closing of the schools prevented those opportunities. I can’t really do any in person promoting for my coloring book.
Has it been difficult trying to find success as a Black creator in the industry?
Not sure if it has been difficult. Yes a challenge when it comes to marketing and producing a self published IP on your own. I think it depends on how you view or measure success.
How would you describe your creative style? What/who was your biggest inspiration?
I see my style for my webcomic with a blend of anime and American comic strip and cartoon influence. Sometimes I like to draw more in line with an anime slash American comic book fantasy style as well. Somewhat cartoony. My biggest influence has been the peanuts, The Boondocks, Brotherman, Skootie Young’s OZ graphic novels, everything from Hayo Miyazaki, Jim Lee, Odd World, Rug Rats, Hilda, Invader Zim, Loud House, Bebe Kids, Dofus, Todd McFarlane, Mshindo Kuumba, Tekkonkinkreet and too many more to name.
What was your favorite superhero growing up?
Batman when I was really young then Brotherman and Xmen as a teenager.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on my web comic strip Lil’ Shu n’ Them and promoting my self published coloring book featuring the entire cast of the Lil’ Shu n’ Them comic strip that is available on Amazon for sale.
Why do Black Superheroes Matter?
Because representation matters. Seeing a character that looks like you that is positive, strong and admired and loved for just being a hero and saving the day is cool. It inspired me when I was young. It wasn’t a lot as it is now but when I could see a character or creator that looked like me it made me feel good and that I could have a place in the world as a creative person.
Follow Shomari Simmon’s Work at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illyworld/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shomaridesigns
Deviant Art: https://www.deviantart.com/illyw0rld
Lil’ Shu n’ Them Webcomic: http://bit.ly/lilshunthem
Lil Shu n’ Them Color Book on Amazon: http://bit.ly/lilshunthem_coloringbook
Online Stores http://bit.ly/2vNvW0d | http://bit.ly/2AITFAG
Hey, this is Steve. I played football at Oregon State University and University of Hawaii. Now I doodle cartoons and blow stuff up on camera. I also make web comics too. Hopefully I can make this whole thing a full time gig so I can make the big bucks to pay for Medical School! (Fingers Crossed) If you would like more thought-provoking content or a quick laugh consider supporting me on Patreon, checking out my webseries Eyelnd Feevr, or checking out links to my other projects below:
Eyelnd Feevr Webseries | PDX Black Rose Podcast | Stuck E Podcast | Black Superheroes Matter | Artist Portfolio | DIY Arts Tutorials & Blog |