Magical Nigerian warriors, Anansi the West African folk hero, and Storm from the X-Men – all of these and more are celebrated in Black Superheroes, an animation festival taking place at Leytonstone Library. 

The festival will feature a variety of themed cartoons and films which tell tales of the heroic black men and women featured in stories, books and comics, and there will also be examples of new superheroes, cartoons and movies that are due out soon.

Tony Walker, from Stratford, is the man behind the festival, now in its fifth year. 

“The first festival was so popular I was asked to repeat it,” says the management consultant who specialises in diversity. “It provides visual evidence of African superheroes in print and broadcast media.“
The festival is timed to coincide with Black History Month, with a programme of events to celebrate significant people and events in the history of the African diaspora.

“Every character mentioned has a historical connection,“ explains Tony, “and we also highlight the history of Africa before the European invasion and the creation of mainstream media.

“There is institutional racism in the comic, video game and movie industry,“ he continues. “It’s all white writers, directors, producers, and there’s a restriction of employment of black writers, producers and directors.“

Tony – whose top five black superheroes are Black Panther, Blade, Icon, Green Lantern (John Stewart not Hal Jordan), and Storm – hopes visitors to Black Superheroes will leave with the knowledge of where to get hold of books, comics and videos about black superheroes, and a valuable lesson in history. 

Black Superheroes with Tony Walker is at Leytonstone Library, 6 Church Lane, Leytonstone E11, on Saturday, October 18 from 10am to noon. Details: 020 8496 3000, walthamforest.gov.uk, wflibraries.eventbrite.com