Hey, let me ask you a question. As a Bahamian when was the last time you read a comic book by Bahamians that features Bahamians? You’ve been waiting a while, huh?
Through out the years, we’ve seen various countries such as China, France, Korea, and of course, America and Japan tell their stories and make their marks in the comic industry.
But, doesn’t it leave you wondering, “Where’s our stories? Where’s our mark of blue, black, and gold?”
Well, you might not have to think about it much longer. Let me introduce you to the group that may just give you your next binge read.
Imagination Ink, founded in 2022, is a Nassau-based non profit 40-member group that seeks to platform Bahamian comic book and manga artists.
Initially a comic artist and enthusiast group between friends, the Imagination Ink founders Whitney Cartwright, Emerald ‘The Painted Chiq’ Sands, Jordan Harvey, Alrica ‘Lady Reptar’ Bain, and Santana Sweeting expanded the group as they noticed that there was a lot of talent being discouraged and untapped, particularly with aspiring anime and comic artists, that needed to be encouraged and seen.
Following in the footsteps of Staniel Russell, the creator of the comic magazine ‘YeaBey!’, the group created their own anthology named ‘Pulse’ that features work from Bahamians that are reminiscent of those Miguzi afternoons, Anime Unleashed evenings, and Toonami late nights – think Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, Tenjho Tenge, and My Hero Academia.
Steadily, the anthology has been gaining attention both in The Bahamas and internationally. It’s even made its way into the hands of RDCWorld’s Mark Phillips and popular YouTuber JiDion.
Though Imagination Ink focuses on comic and anime art, the group has also made a point to act as bridge for other enthusiasts and aspiring creatives to connect and thrive together.
Through its three year run, the group has done community work through school outreach programs, artist panels, art competitions, and in-person and digital art classes to further push the medium.
It’s also made it a point in welcoming enthusiasts with interests in other mediums such as 3D modelling, voice acting, special effects, make-up, tapestry, cosplay, photography, and cinematography who seek to collaborate with one another.
Currently, Imagination ink is preparing to release pulse 4 of their anthology as well as their first partnered exhibition with the Grand Bahama Artists Association in Freeport early next year.
With all of this in mind, I’m excited to see what’s in store for Imagination Ink. I can’t wait to be awed their art with pulse 4 in my hand, dog eared from all the reading.
Their initial mark may not be that big just yet, but that blue, black and gold sure is shining through.
For more information, updates, or ways to join Imagination Ink yourself, feel free to follow and contact their IG page @imaginationink_art or their Facebook page, Imagination Ink.
Pulse #1, Pulse #2, and Pulse #3 are all available for purchase on Amazon.com. Get yourself a copy!
