Off-Campus Tidbits | New Book Explores the Cultural Convergence of Hip-Hop and Comics
Dr. Sheena Howard, whose academic career began at Howard University, is set to release Hip-Hop and Comics, a new edited volume that examines the longstanding relationship between the two cultural forms. The forthcoming book builds directly on her dissertation about The Boondocks, the groundbreaking comic strip and animated series known for its hip-hop sensibility, and political commentary.
The book gathers contributions from scholars across the globe and includes two chapters by the Howard (as editor) herself—featuring interviews with DMC of RUN‑DMC and Eric Orr, creator of the first hip‑hop comic book in the 1980s. According to Howard, the project highlights the creative potential that emerges when artistic mediums intersect.
“I’ve wanted to publish Hip-Hop and Comics for at least 10 years,” she said, noting that the idea began after she participated in a Hip-Hop and Comics panel at New York Comic Con. After years of suggesting that others explore the topic, Howard chose to lead the effort herself, citing its value to literature, academia, and the broader creative community.
The book extends questions Howard first explored while writing her dissertation from 2007 to 2010. She describes The Boondocks—both the comic strip and the television series—as deeply rooted in hip-hop culture, with shared themes of message, soul, and cultural critique.
Alongside Hip-Hop and Comics, Howard is also developing Survive the Gap, a narrative nonfiction work offering strategies and mindset tools for readers navigating the difficult period between pursuing a goal and achieving it. The book draws on her personal experiences and is designed for readers who feel close to success but uncertain about next steps.
"I have at least 6 projects in different stages of development, mostly books, but also one documentary film about my experience as a PhD student at Howard University and how my Boondocks dissertation led me to becoming the first Black woman to ever win an Eisner award at San Diego Comic-Con. Planning to do a festival circuit run, press, tour, and overall outreach to get visibility for the film when it's released," says Howard.
With multiple books and a documentary underway, Howard continues to build a body of work centered on culture, creativity, and interdisciplinary storytelling. Hip‑Hop and Comics is expected to contribute significantly to ongoing dialogue about the evolution and intersection of contemporary art forms.
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Dr. Sheena Howard can be reached on Instagram, where she freely shares her insights, thoughts, and upcoming projects. Her Patreon community, Howard Village, is raising $2500 to fund micro-grants to creators all around the world. It's also the place where she helps creators, academics and solo-preneurs turn their ideas into assets. In addition, She has a book called Academic Branding that graduate students and PhDs would benefit from, it teaches experts how to build brands to support their work and research. Finally, her most popular book is Why Wakanda Matters, and it was a clue on Jeopardy, which can be bought directly from her here.