We were able to briefly visit the "Out of Sequence" exhibition and program at the Krannert Museum in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. It is curated by Damian Duffy and John Jennings and focuses on the impact and works of under represented illustrators and cartoonists. They also created a catalog that features the entire exhibition which is great for teachers, creative professionals, and students.

Onli is leading the students in a meditative appreciation of his characters Malcolm-10 and Sustah-Girl. His students were impressed to find out their instructor is a real artist. John Jennings and Damian Duffy dropped by during this whirlwind visit while the students were checking out the poster montage created by Mshindo, "The Master of the Black Age".

Yaounde' Olu was the winner of our exciting raffle of the Black Panther T Shirt at Afri-ware.

"BLACK AGE XI" folks get political: http://www.austinweeklynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=43&ArticleID=1963&TM=82151.96

Several serious collectors were on hand to learn about Dreadlocks and other Black Age characters. They were excited to see the range of books available at Afri-ware. Black Age indie products are very collectable because of the subject matter and the fact they are rare. This is a combination that will give them increasing value over time. These collectors came to shop and learn!

At the Afri-ware Bookstore in Oak Park IL "BLACK AGE XI" presented a panel discussion, signings, vending, and a raffle of a Black Panther and Dreadlocks tee shirt. Tim Jackson was set to go and folks loved it. Afri-ware will be offering a DVD of the presentation in the near future.


Nzingah Nommo and Yaounde Olu were having a moment of appreciation. Nzingah is the owner of the store which is over ten years old. She regularly features programs there to explore and promote the positive aspects of Black and African culture to the wider community. Yaounde is a former gallery owner, artist, and pioneer publisher creator of Black Age materials. She gave Turtel Onli his first exhibition in 1971 and co-published a 'zine in 1980 called "PAPERS"

Onli moderated the panel. Here we have Tim Jackson holding up one of Yaounde Olu's publications with Andre Batts of "Dreadlocks" fame outta Detroit checking it out. Folks were amazed to learn about how much has been going on in the Black Age movement since 1980. They promised to spread the word.

Andre, Tim and LaMorris circulated to mix with folks and families who were there. It was all so very positive. This scattered site approach of "BLACK AGE XI" worked well to take us and our products out to the people. No admission charges. No single physical plant to promote. No travel complications. Just the Black Age appearing at a place near you. BAMN!!!!!

This is the main reason why we do it!!!!!!!

The day before "Los Ninos Mesarinas" were with us at the South Side YMCA in Chicago all day. Nino has been rolling with us for a few years now and folks love his work on the incredible "Laundry Detergent Man". His son sold a few drawings of his own too.

This mother brought her son in to meet us since he is very creative. He later explained that he would later hit us up looking for a deal since we were publishers. He felt that meeting us made his efforts that much easier.

LaMorris worked the panel well. He even explained the creation of "Jigaboo Devil!!!!

BLACK AGE FOREVER!!!!!!

It was all a great day in the Black Age.

Oct. 2008: This month long exhibition showcased a wide range of illustrations, posters, and artwork created by many of the great and important artists working in the Black Age.

Muhammed Ali, Pedro Bell, Mishindo, Ashley A. Woods, Christian St. Pierre, Barbara and Rod Jenkins, and Andre Batts along with many others are included in the exhibition.

Dr. Royster, the Director of the African American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, introduced Onli. His lecture focused on the value of the Black Age movement and its need to grow its own independently loyal and active fan base and market share.

Later Dr. Royster offered to explore hosting a national Black Age symposium at UIC in a year or two.

Tim Jackson and others were on hand selling and signing books during the evening of the opening reception.

Of course the talented and prolific Ashley A. Woods was there showcasing her growing line of books and related products. How many indie-books do you read, collect, or give as gifts??

Rhakel represented ONLI STUDIOS distribution experiment the next day at the Southside YMCA. Other vendors there were LaMorris Richmond, Tim Jackson, Nino Mesarina, Andre Batts, and Ashley A. Woods. This way we took the Black Age movement and its products to the people in search of more fans, customers, and sells. Every book we sell is a book the mainstream does not sell. Long Live the Black Age!!!!! Indie forever!

"BLACK AGE XI"
This was a successful scattered site event that brought
the Black Age to a place near you.

Afri-Ware Store .
Time: 2pm until 5pm
266 Lake Street in Oak Park IL 708-524-8398,
will host Turtel Onli , "The Father of The Black Age"
Theme: The history and value of the Black Age of Comics. Plus additional guests: Andre Batts of "Dreadlocks and Urban Style Comix" fame along with Yaounde Olu of Uniphysics. Signings, vending, panel, & learning opportunities.


AZIZI Bookstore: Book signings, readings, artists, & writers.
134 Lincoln Mall, Matteson IL 708-283-9850
Kiss Me Comix, featuring Barbara & Rod Jenkins along with Rob Boyd. Nino Mesarina and the "Incredible Laundry Detergent Man."
Plus Ashley A. Woods of "Millennia Wars" fame.

Great for fans , parents, students, and teachers.

Interested fans and participants should contact Onli Studios at onli@sbcglobal.net .
Participants will be taken on a first come first served basis. We have limited places to complete.

"BLACK AGE XI" was part of Chicago Artists Month, the thirteenth annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant visual art community organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and is made possible through the Presenting Sponsorship of 3Arts and the Lead Sponsorship of the Sara Lee Foundation. For more information, call 312/744-6630 or visit http://www.chicagoartistsmonth.org/ .

Onli speaking about the Black Age Movement, its creators, and its potential. He asked, "Why are you so committed to the characters of your grandparents' youth when you could embrace someting as new and fresh as the Black Age of Comics movement?"

Onli started this movement in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. Just around the corner from the home of President Obama.

Scroll down to see the details.

Featuring Artists, Writers, Graphic Designers who create Graphic Novels, Games, Comic Books, & their products.

ONLI STUDIOS was on display at the University Park Library's "Crawl into Comix" on July 26th, 2008. This was an opportunity to sell books like Song of Songs, Grafenveer, Galaxia Force, Tales From the Kids, Paka & Shujaa, 5-Shots!!!, NOG IS BACK!!!!, Team BLANGA, Malcolm-10, the Grammar Patrol, and other titles. Creators or companies like Kiss Me Comix, Jason Hunter, Nino Mesarina, David Gruba, and Rene Castellario were there as well.

Ms Kelley Nichols , the Librarian in charge, was a very enthusiatic hostess for the well attended event. That same day the Chicago Tribune Newspaper ran a major story supporting comic books as the "new literature".

Another positive moment for the Black Age movement.

The library purchased a rack full of Black Age comics from ONLI STUDIOS for the folks that come through the library to use its resources.

The AZIZI Books store 134 Lincoln Mall in Matteson Illinois also has a spinning rack dedicated to Black Age products.

Afri-Ware at 266 West Lake Street in Oak Park Illinois features a similar rack as well. We encourage your support of these stores along with the Black Age of Comics Movement.

Click on images to enlarge them.

Scroll to the bottom and review the archive listings.

BLACK = Independent creativity.

AGE= A prevailing period of time.

Do the math!!!!!!!

Copyright 2007 Turtel Onli

"Da BLACK AGE" is the most independent movement in comics, graphic novels, animation, games, and indie-creativity.

"BLACK AGE FOREVER!!!!!!!!"

This amazing movement got its start in the Hyde Park area of Chicago just like President Obama!!

Now it is spreading. Resistance is futile!!!

"Artists, Writers, and designers, oh my!!!!"

Get with us any way you can.

http://www.ecbacc.com/

http://www.sustah-girl.com/

http://www.ashleyawoods.blogspot.com/

http://www.onli.blogspot.com/

www.onlistudios.com

www.myspace.com/alfunz

http://www.blacksuperhero.com/

www.inter-fan.org

www.eyetrauma.net

www.kam.uiuc.edu/pr/outofsequence/checklist.cfm

www.cuip.net/~tonli/wit2002

"BLACK AGE XI"
The poster illustration featured above is Copyright 2008 Ashley A. Woods.

"BLACK AGE XI" is part of Chicago Artists Month, the thirteenth annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant visual art community organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and is made possible through the Presenting Sponsorship of 3Arts and the Lead Sponsorship of the Sara Lee Foundation. For more information, call 312/744-6630 or visit http://www.chicagoartistsmonth.org/ .