NATIVE REALITIES Think Comics. Books. Interactive. Native American authors and artists.
Think Indigenous Comic Con.
I am excited to introduce to you — Dr. Lee Francis IV and his publishing house – NATIVE REALITIES – an indigenous imagination company dedicated to producing high quality media that dramatically changes the representation of native and indigenous people through popular culture.
A literary superhero himself and an indigenous legendary comic creator, a proponent of Native Pop Culture, Dr. Lee Francis IV is the creator of a new Native publishing venture –Native Realities. Their books and comics are AMAZING.
NATIVE REALITIES publishes books and comics featuring superhero tales of Indigenous icons, First Nations freedom fighters, Aboriginal astronauts, and Native American superheroes. In addition to editing and contributing a story to the graphic anthology Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers, Dr. Lee Francis is the author of the comic Sixkiller and the illustrator of Native Entrepreneurs.
Also — Dr. Lee Francis is also the founder of Indigenous Comic Con, now an annual event that was held this summer in Denver, Colorado. Indigenous Comic Con highlights and celebrates the imaginative new pop-literature being created by young Native artists and authors. Literature presented in comics is accessible, fun, surprising, and challenges past stereotyping. NATIVE REALITIES has brought the indigenous experience to the world of popular culture — and to readers of all ages.
Want to learn more? Take a look at these links: https://www.bookologymagazine.com/article/native_realities/
Dr. Lee Francis IV carries on the spirit of his family in many ways, especially innovative ways that speak to young readers. I was fortunate to meet with Lee at Red Planet Books and Comics and ask him a few questions:
What was the passion that gave you the courage to form a brand new press?
The passion was really about my students. I wanted them to have dynamic and positive representations of Native people in the media they were engaging in. I wanted them to see themselves in the comics they were reading. I wanted to cultivate their imaginations and I was tired of waiting around for some one else to do it. So I started publishing.
Dr. Lee Francis describes a few of his recent publications and why they are unique:
Deer Woman: An Anthology is the only graphic anthology completely created by Native women. Native Entrepreneurs is a fun comic and entrepreneur workbook rolled into one. Ghost River (December 1 release) is an incredible history and teaching graphic novel about the massacre of the Conestoga people in Pennsylvania. Very proud of all the things we have worked on over the years.
How does one order books from Native Realities?
Easy! Through Red Planet Books and Comics (www.redplanetbooksncomics.com). You will find many great titles with Native-authored content (books and comics) – fun reading for all ages.
Lee Francis IV was born in New Mexico, one of five children – a remarkable family – who were and continue to be leaders and activists in politics, culture, and literary arts. Lee’s father, Elias Lee Francis III, was the founder of the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers and also served as lieutenant governor of New Mexico. Lee’s mother, Ethel Haines was of Laguna Pueblo/Anishinaabe and Scottish descent. An older sister of Lee’s father, Paula Gunn Allen, was a scholar of both English and American Indian literature, a professor at UCLA, and one of the foremost voices in Native American literature. And Leslie Marmon Silko is Lee’s Laguna cousin
See also —
Interview: Lee Francis IV on Native Publishing, Bookstores & Indigenous Comic Con