Episode 3!
A very special episode of The Chop Up called: How to Spot a Grifter in Black Comix.
I really feel like we're building the foundations of a golden age for Black comics, with more creators than ever doing amazing things and building a vibrant, powerful industry. But as we climb, we gotta continually check the baggage we're bringing with us, because not all of it is positive.
Grifter /ˈɡriftər/ - A grifter is a con artist or swindler who obtains money or property dishonestly through deceit, charm, or fraud, rather than force.
We got a grifter problem in Black Comix.
A straight-up koon and grifter problem that threatens to undermine everything we're trying to build. Some people won't like this conversation, but it's one we should have, because this isn't a new phenomenon; it's a systemic issue that has historically happened in the community. From the Black church to Black music to more recently financial, self-help, and other forms of podcasting. It's now happening in Black comics. These comic book internet-evangelists get up and preach prosperity, promising healing and success while continually asking for money, yet unlike the televangelists who at least offered prayer cloths, these grifters give nothing in return. Even the comics they supposedly create are at best weak representations of the culture, maga adjacent bullshit, or just plain unfulfilled. We've seen this pattern before—the flash and dash with nothing to show for it—just look at TLC, we thought they were millionaires, finding out later that Pebbles (allegedly) left them with like $20 in their pockets. (The Chili to maga pipeline is apropos too but I digress lol) This same exploitation is now running rampant in the Black indie comic space, and it's time we called it out for what it is.
I’ve been paying attention to a few Black comics groups as of late and the grifters have an uncomfortable amount of enablers too. Some are younger (in the game) creators. This new Fraudhood comics crashout is just one in a line of grifters being put on blast. I hope folks are paying attention to the output (content, products, and fulfillment) verses the online flexing of these Black comic grifters. You can post pics of money and fake figures all you want, but your output tells the tale.
Supporting these grifters perpetuates a cycle of exploitation that damages our entire creative community. They manipulate your anxieties and aspirations, using unverifiable claims and industry jargon to build a false legitimacy while preying on your vulnerabilities. When you give them money or attention, you're funding a pattern of unfulfilled promises and enabling their toxic behavior—whether it's squandering supporters' funds, exploiting cultural identity for commercial gain, or publicly disparaging fellow creators. By withdrawing your support, you not only protect yourself from being deceived but also help create a culture that values genuine craftsmanship and integrity over empty hype.
Feel free to repost our handy infographics lol:
Let’s chop it up.
Find us:
Brian lambert/Wingless Comics: Winglessent.com
Jason Reeves/133art Publishing: 133art.com | Substack: 133artpublishing.substack.com
Tune in, spread the word, and let’s keep building—together.
#CreatorScams #KickstarterScams #ComicBookScams #SupportRealCreators #ExposingGrifters
