Since the late 1950s in the USA folks have been cast in shade and shame for being into Comic Books or Graphic Novels. Thus this dynamic medium , which is a challenging hybrid of Visual & Literary Art, is marginalized as something restricted to early youth. 

It is often not embraced as literature or art. Yet study after study confirms that folks who tend to read Comic Books & Graphic Novels have high reading comprehension skills based on standardized tests. Vaulted higher ordered cognition and more. Often ridiculed as being those weird lame geeky nerdy kids, they actually are those smarter, intelligent learners.

 This is why I maintain all of the principles of Kwanzaa in my 5 decades long creation, advocacy and publishing of the Rhythmistic Comics from ONLI STUDIOS LLC. I serious appreciate all of y'all for your positive participation. We at ONLI STUDIOS LLC and the growing Black Age of Comics genre could not had done our important work of creativity, culture, content & commerce without you.

 I often ask: How Black was the entire animation, comic book or Graphic Novels industry before we launched the Black Age of Comics in Chicago in 1993 at the historic South Side Community Art Center? As always it is our dreams versus the mainstreams.

Alunta Continua!

 February 2022 will be "BLACK SANKOFA 2.0 time! 

Yes! Last year we not only went virtual to fantastic response and acclaim, but we rebranded our original annual Black Age of Comics Chicago Convention.  Boldly launched in 1993 by ONLI STUDIOS in 1993 with tangible support and coordination with Milestone Media, when the orthodox idealogues and standard bearers in the comics industry and the Afrocentric community insisted calling this amazing force of creativity, culture and commerce, "Black Age" was a bad move. 

Some even said the two words "Black" and "Age" did not belong together.  Then came the folks who wanted it to be exclusively a "Black thing: only.  NOPE!  

This is why we need your luv. money and positive participation whenever and as you can. 

Well fortunately Prof. Onli and his determined associates at ONLI STUDIOS stayed the course.  The Black Age of Comics is open sourced.  It welcomes all positive cool creative folks.  It challenged and inspired the expansion of the entire industry. 

As Prof. Onli often asks: "How much "color" was being promoted in the industry before ONLI STUDIOS produced the world's first annual full service innovative indie Black Age of Comics Convention.  Held in the historic Bronzeville District of Chicago at the iconic National Treasure, the South Side Community Art Center?"

The Black Age of Comics Convention in Chicago was the first to welcome and celebrate Black, Asian, Mexican, African, Queer, LatinX, Femme, Gay, Indie, Alternative, Disabled and otherwise marginalized folks. 

We offered not just a home but a new growing flavor.  We welcomed others to serve it up. The likes of ECBACC, Detroit Motor City, Onyx Con, Pocket Con, MECCA Con, and Afro Con are our ever-loving kinfolks.  We rock. They rock!  We luv! We grow as the new flavor. As we all know. Once you go Black you may never go Black!

The Black Age is a flavor. Like Italian, Thai, or Mexican!

 And you do not have to be one to enjoy it! Welcome!

 

Freshly inspired by his being featured in the 2021 blockbuster group exhibition, "Chicago Comics: 1960 Until Now! curated by Dan Nadel at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, Prof. Onli has released the first hyper dynamic Rhythmistic Graphic Novels from ONLI STUDIOS LLC.

It comes with a Platinum treated cover and over 130 pages of serious Rhythmistic visual Fun. Fire, Funk & Flow. 

 "Where a picture in still worth a thousand words!"  

The reader is invited by sequences of insight, action, passion, drama and conflict to narrate the story in his or her words. They have never experienced a book like this one.  Featuring NOG, Malcolm-10, Sustah-Girl, Sasa and many more characters.  A true creative blending of the reader's interpretations and Prof. Onli's vision. It includes surprise links to experimental animations and more.  

Visit the Graphic Novels page at www.onlistudios.com to place your order. 

Each Order is shipped free, is wrapped in archival plastic including free over-sized trading cards. Currently at the cover price of $20.00!!!  You are highly valued, and this is highly collectible!

Art, Illustration, Music, Spoken Word & Animation!

 

 It is fantastic that the Black Age movement laid such a fertile foundation back in 1993 that anthologies such as this now percolate the literary horizon.  Black Age founder, Turtel Onli, M.A.A.T. contributed a Rhythmistic treatment of his "Malcolm-10" character to the book.  This is a unique collection of art, illustrations and poetry woven to draft on the trending Afrofuturism flow. Over 60 contributing creatives!

 DALLAS, TX.- A frenzy of eager bidders drove Frank Brunner's Doctor Strange No. 1 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1974) to $408,000, and an important collection kept its Promise of spectacular results to lead Heritage Auctions' near-sellout Comics & Comic Art Signature® Auction to $17,823,949 last weekend.

When Doctor Strange was published in 1974, he was not yet a major Marvel character, but he has evolved into a major figure in the Marvel Comics Universe in the nearly six decades since. The Master of the Mystic Arts has solidified his stature through his role in MCU movies, as a character in Strange Tales and ultimately in his own title, with this image fronting the premiere issue.

"For original art from the 1970s to top $400,000 is incredible," Heritage Auctions Senior Vice President Ed Jaster said. "Frank Brunner's Doctor Strange covers set an unmatched standard for the character's artwork."

Promise Collection

Meanwhile, 355 lots from the historic Promise Collection Pedigree found new homes in the Nov. 18-21 sale, reaching a total of $4.69 million. The collection earned its moniker because the young boy who assembled the collection went off to war and never returned. For decades, the books were kept safe by his brother, who promised to protect the collection if anything happened to his brother on the battlefield. The lots in this sale represent the third installment from this extraordinary trove to be offered this year through Heritage Auctions.

CHICAGO - ONLI STUDIOS LLC has confirmed there are only three known copies of the landmark Graphic Novel / comic book. "NOG: The Protector of the Pyramides" in its archives. It is known in collector circles as the book and character that opened the door too the growing indie Black Age of Comics Movement/genre when it was published in 1981. It is experiencing a heightened profile since being featured in the 2021 blockbuster group exhibition, "Chicago Comics: 1960 Until Now".

 RHYTHMISM:  Future-Primitif pathways to creative expressions and processing was branded and launched by Prof. Turtel Onli, M.A.A.T., circa 1970s, as a manifestation of the Kwanzaa Principle of Kujichagulia. Self Determination. 

Unlike a current trending term that was christened by a non-Black or non-African to give a label to the creative expressions of those great people.  Habari Gani??

This unique solo Rhythmistic exhibition, that shows in a retrospective type presentation what Onli calls "Black Male Mojo" in real time and full visual genius, closes Dec. 10th, 2021. It is no accident that Onli's works would be presented in the building named after one of the greatest Balck Male visual thinkers of the 20th Century, the late ......prolific Gordon Parks!

   LINK:

The impressive Future-Primitif Rhythmistic Fine Art &

 NFTS created by Prof. Turtel Onli will be included in 

the Annual PRIZM ART EXPO!

Nov. 30th 2021 Until Dec. 10th 2021 

 MIAMI FL 

 Educators, Curriculum Coordinators, Scholars, Reading Specialists, Students, Coaches, and serious fans of the growing Black Age of Comics movement and the trending Afrofuturism genre will be excited and pleased to learn that ONLI STUDIOS LLC has successfully renegotiated its long productive relationship with the Trading Post Gift Shop of the DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago.  

The DuSable Museum is located at 5700 South Cottage Grove in Chicago near the prestigious University of Chicago campus.

They are selling this expanded line of Rhythmistic Graphic Novels, Comix, and Curriculum Guides which includes activity books on Going Green and being sustainable in the urban setting, horror, conflict resolution, the stimulation of creativity, and historical fiction.  

All books are packaged in archival plastic at no extra charge and many include highly valued, rare, free Rhythmistic Trading Cards at as ONLI STUDIOS' show of appreciation!

All exciting and appropriate for the classroom, library, community center, or home. 

They are highly collectable due to their limited press runs.

The Trading Post Gift Shop of the DuSable Museum, Chicago is the only place in the USA where all of these amazing Rhythmistic Graphics Novels, Comix & Activity books are sold! 

Chicago Public School educators have been pouring through to use their reimbursable funds to purchase this titles for their classes and resource centers adding an intelligent creative boost during these exciting times. 

 Prof. Onli often says: "A positive fantasy life in the foundation to a positive reality!  This includes historical fiction and positive conflict resolution."

 

  LINK to review per RHYTHMISM; Art As Social Change Making solo exhibition at the stately Gordon Parks Arts Hall of the University of Chicago's Laboratory School's Corvus Gallery.  

Insightful Curators, Forward thinking Collectors, Major Art Collecting  Museums and Scholars of Contemporary Art will appreciate this note:

 This is a rare powerful mini retrospective styled visual art exhibition that exudes Rhythmismtic visual artist's Prof. Turtel Onlii creative life of 'winning the peace'.  Which is what he calls taking the narratives in visual art derived from or of the Black American Experience beyond the narrow confines of celebrating suffering, poverty or oppression.  Here Onli shows that Rhythmism in a well though- out, standards' changing genre in the visual arts. 

 Intelligence and talent meets industrious vision and effort sustained over five decades.  

Onli offers the manifestation of self-determination as the foundation to winning the peace. His practice serves notice to many that there is much more going on in the Black American experience than legacies of  oppression or the self-destructive impact of thug-life.

Though Onli has had a dynamic five decades plus practice in Fine and Commercial Visual Art plus Art Education and Therapy mainstream galleries, elite Black Curators and Black Art  gallerists tend to avoid his revolutionary innovatively successful efforts in expanding the canon of the visual arts to accept and invest in a genre named, developed and expressed by an intelligent, gifted, dedicated Black Male.  They are so about protecting the Arts Establishment and serving the needs and dictates of the status quo they will only endorse terms, styles, or artists anointed by their financial handlers or professional superiors. These are the types of folks that would have never given the likes of Van Gogh recognition in his life time! So much for artistic diversity.......as Onli is still winning that peace achieved by so many in the United States of America.

 A simple internet or Wiki search supports this curiosity.

 Link to interview of Turtel Onli on Rhythmism, comix and more.....

 NBC News LINK: Chicago Comics Shows!

  Juneteenth is now a Federal Holiday. Celebrating the word of freedom finally reaching the Slaves in Texas. Ending that system forever! Educators, Curriculum Coordinators, Serious Collectors, and readers will love the books and products being offered starting June 19th at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art.

 Its fantastic and unique historic group exhibition, "Chicago Comics: 1960 until Now!" features an intelligent, well designed, dynamic, and a truly diverse selection of visually charged books and related products that celebrate and explore contributions and creative expressions of Blacks, African Americans, LatinX, LGBTQ, and Asian practicing artists, writers & cartoonists. What a great way to expand positive appreciation and respectful curiosity in students of all levels for these people and cultures that often exist outside of standard curriculum guides and teaching scenarios.

 Did I say "Juneteenth"? What about for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa too. Early gift buying is another way to boost the collections and options for avid or reluctant readers while serving up creative diversity in real time. This historic exhibition runs from Juneteenth until Oct. 13th 2021. Perfect for field trips and educational resourcing. Not to mention great fun and artistic excitement for every one else. See you at the MCA! https://mcachicago.org/.../2021/Chicago-Comics-1960s-To-Now

 

"This Week of Juneteenth finds me sending much luv to the vital South Side Community Art Center in the historic Bronzeville District of Chicago as it explodes with its 80 Years of Service celebrations week!

This registered, former WPA art facility, National Treasure is where we, ONLI STUDIOS, were fortunate to have launched the growing Black Age of Comics genre / movement in 1993. Now I am honored in having my indie character, "NOG: The Nubian of Greatness", published in 1981, that opened the door to the Black Age, by being featured mural sized at the current amazing group exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, called, "Chicago Comics: 1960 until Now!" Curated by Dan Nadel. What a cool timely convergence of creativity, cultures, and commerce."

 Me and all that is the Rhythmistic ONLI STUDIOS are thrilled and honored to announce that the Museum Store of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, will be carrying limited amounts of our specially autographed, highly collectable Graphic Novel, "Tales From The Rhythmic Zone" during the run of their amazing group exhibition, "Chicago Comics: 1960 until Now!" June 19th / Oct. 13th 2021.

This book features extended, fully colored versions of the first two "NOG" stories, ONLI STUDIOS over-sized Trading Cards, some dope Afrofuturist stories and much more. Great honor. Great value!

 The Museum of Contemporary Art is featuring a mural sized treatment of "NOG the Protector of the Pyramides"  by Black Age founder Turtel Onli to promote its fantastic Summer / Fall 2021 group exhibition, "Chicago Comics: 1960 until Now!" 

 NOG was published by ONI STUDIOS LLC in 1981.

ECBACC Panel LINK

 

 

Let's Look At Black Man Magic! Turtel Onli , M.A.A.T. Phd, BFA,  AA

"Why would one think this is important?"

The first Rhythmistic character was created in 1979 and ran as a cartoon strip in the historic Chicago Defender Newspaper.  The Defender was a leading journal in inspiring Blacks to leave the oppression of the American South for better opportunities in the American North.  It championed liberation and prosperity for decades in the 20th Century. This was innovation. A character, style & concept like none other!

"Why would energy be focused on this?"

In 1981 NOG: The Protector of the Pyramides was published as a Rhythmistic Graphic Novel by ONLI STUDIOS. It oozed with the excitement of being the innovative concept and character that would open the door to the growing Black Age of Comics.  Its creator Turtel Onli had been exploring the potential of his Rhythmistic Future-Primitif stylizations in the visual arts in Fine Art and Commercial illustration since 1970.

"On the same wave length!"

ONLI STUDIOS published a 'zine called "Future Funk" in 1982 to celebrate and promote forward thinking artistic practices and related efforts. Onli exuding confidence in reaching into the future. Knowing a path and untapped market was there in the future.  For the emergence of more genre, markets and opportunities for the practice and profitability of Future-Primif and independent Visual Art derived form the Black, African or Urban experience.  He did this without the blessing of any school, group or establishment. 

This was a Black MAN putting his Black Money behind his Black thoughts & creativity. Expressing his Black MAN MAGIC to the benefit of others.

"Did! Not tried!"

Not talking trash and telling lies or wishing upon a star, Onli did it!  Created terms and products along the way to launching the indie movement known as the Black Age of Comics.  A quick Wiki search will yield more information about that history.  The mainstream, the systems of suppressing of denying the brilliance of Black MAN MAGIC along with some serious maladjusted hating,  in-fighting, or orthodoxy in Black circles often  combined to move the narrative and value away from Onli's works and impact.  As seen when a non-Black decides to explain to Blacks for Blacks a term to use for themselves.  Sort of like the discovery of America when it was already there.

"There is no power like an idea whose time has come!"

Summer & Fall of 2021 will see NOG and Future Funk included in the landmark group exhibition, "Chicago Comics: 1960 until now!" Curated by Dan Nadel at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. This show includes better known works such as "Dick Tracy" and "Brenda Starr".  Yet in a wave of rare righteousness ONLI STUDIOS: NOG and Future-Funk were included. with much luv and appreciation for Turtel! Clearly this curator has a brilliant mind and practice of his own.

In this era of racial justice an reckoning Onli's long overlooked yet ever-present BLACK MAN MAGIC deserves your attention, participation, luv and money.  Why keep supporting the mainstream over your dream? ONLI STUDIOS has already been so about you.