In addition to effectively balancing past and present, there’s another tentpole of good sci-fi: openness. That idea that, at least theoretically, the future-obsessed genre can help facilitate a world that’s more welcoming and inclusive in general. But that new world, as it were, doesn’t come without ample effort, and that’s exactly the effort behind the forthcoming anthology We Belong.
Organized by Stacked Deck Press and the non-profit group Prism Comics, We Belong features a bevy of all queer black creators, including Jay Hero, C.A.P. Ward, Ajuan Mance, and many more. The 100-plus-page collection, under the guidance of organizers Viktor Kerney (StrangeLore) and William O. Tyler (Theater of Terror: Revenge of the Queers), expertly demonstrates that “despite what the landscape of popular fiction says, Black queer people have and do exist everywhere, in every time and space.” Be it tales of witches or mermaids, We Belong proves just that for this suite of inventive writers and artists (and many others).
We Belong is currently crowdfunding via Zoop. To get a better idea of the title and the stories within, we recently caught up with editor Kerney. He addressed, among other topics, the true face of inclusion, what makes these stories so compelling, and why the book demands to be read by everyone.
AIPT: What was the genesis for this project?
Viktor Kerney: The lack of representation. I wanted to see more stories from Black queer artists and creators in comics. There are so few of us, and we don’t get the opportunities as our white counterparts in the comics world. So, I reached out to William (co-editor of We Belong) and talked about creating this book and getting it out there.
AIPT: I feel like there’s quite a few really talented black queer sci-fi and fantasy creators (in comics and general fiction). Why is this group of people drawn to this specific genre — is it looking toward the future and/or maybe some outsider status?
VK: It’s all of those things. The idea of being limitless is not only attractive, but liberating. We can see ourselves in ways we never imagined. And as creators, we have the power to develop stories that include our perspectives and our experiences. We also can create possible futures and worlds free from oppression, and the horrors or racism.
AIPT: What do these creators bring to the realm of sci-fi storytelling? What makes these stories novel or unique or different somehow?
VK: These stories are told from a Black queer perspective. Each of our creators and artists bring a strong sense of self and identity in their stories. It has been refreshing to see how they approach storytelling, and how the art reflects their visions.
AIPT: Why do other groups of people need to be exposed to these stories? It has to go beyond just mere representation, right?
VK: Yes, of course. It is imperative for others to be exposed to diverse storytelling from a myriad of viewpoints. The way a Black queer person tells a story will not only be vastly different from a white queer perspective, but different from each other. That exposure pushes our imagination beyond the status quo, and hopefully challenges us to seek more.
AIPT: Why hasn’t the sci-fi community done more to accept/integrate/etc. black queer creators? Maybe it’s my own pie-in-the-sky attitude, but this genre’s always been about openness and embracing the big, wide universe.
VK: Not necessary… We have seen so many of these so-called fans declare war because a new Black/non-white character is introduced. Then, they bully the creators to the point of no return. In a genre with six-armed aliens and talking clouds, you would think a Black woman commanding a spaceship would be okay… Nope. There are still overwhelming amounts of gatekeeping in this genre. Sadly, some within the community aren’t ready to move forward.
AIPT: In terms of editing and organizing this anthology, what were some of the logistical challenges? Or, perhaps more positively, the unique opportunities?
VK: William and I were fortunate enough to work with such talented people. Their ideas were so unique and provocative. We felt bad limiting their page count, because we could envision these stories continuing on to multiple issues and graphic novels. Also, a few of the creators haven’t worked with an editor before. With that said, William provided the care and grace needed to complete the task. Again, we were very fortunate.
AIPT: How much thought was given to the voices and the stories here? By that I mean, did you try to present a smorgasbord of voices or find creators with similar tones, styles, etc.?
VK: Yes, we wanted to wow the audience with an array of amazing storytellers for We Belong. We are not a monolithic group, so William and I wanted to provide a wide range of voices in this anthology. Lucky for us, our group of creators and artists understood the assignment.
AIPT: Is this project also maybe a way to get sci-fi “unstuck?”? I feel like I’ve read enough novels and comics lately that, across the board, the genre feels a little stale.
VK: I think so. We Belong gives the reader unlimited possibilities through the stories and perspectives of the creators. We truly believe that fans of the genre will greatly benefit from reading this anthology.
AIPT: Do either of you have a favorite or standout story here? Maybe something that might speak to the anthology as a whole?
VK: All of the stories are fantastic and wonderful in their own right. The creators and artists knew what we needed, and did their damndest to make it happen.
AIPT: Why should anyone support this book’s campaign?
VK: If they want to see diverse stories, and support Black queer creators, We Belong is for them. We Belong provides the opportunity for Black queer voices, art, and perspectives to be heard and seen. The art is amazing, the storytelling is incredible, and the energy behind this book is inspiring. It is the first of its kind, and if the campaign is successful, it won’t be the last.
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