“As a kid growing up I was so much into comic books. I would get out of school rush to the store in my neighborhood to pick up the newest editions of the different Marvel comic characters such as the Avengers, X-Men, Spiderman, Doctor Strange and a host of others. But as years past by the Images in the Comic industry were dominated by the same majority race. Only a few images looked like myself and my surroundings. Then in the early 1990′s there was the explosion of Black Characters and companies such as Milestone Media, Tribe and last but not least Big City Comics creation of Brother man. This explosion inspired me but it did not motivate me. I tried to become a part of the Group that created tribe but they weren’t feeling my ideas or art. My motivation I feel came after the let down by the Brothers that created Tribe. My inspiration came after meeting an actual independent Artist/Creator, the Creator of Brother man . I met him briefly at the Million Man March and just seeing this brother made me realize that I did not have to get down with mainstream Comics in order to become successful. This is when I started going full force with my own line of characters and eventually my own company Urban Style Comics.”

Urban Style Comics was born in his basement with partner Kevin Hallman in 1994. Although his characters have strong Afro-centric themes that are similar to the current Afro-futurism movement popular in a lot of “underground” comic book creators he feels that anyone who enjoys the genre will enjoy his work as Andre explains.

“We must remember that our ancestors never separated themselves from nature or those that did not look like them. That was something done by our Imperial/Colonial masters. This type of Ideology prevails in mainstream comics even to this day whether they want to acknowledge it or not . It is what it is! I feel that I am a part of a revolutionary approach to comics. My character Dreadlocks is written with a lot of Afro centric presence in the story ,but, he has an appearance that appeals to everyone that doesn’t have a fear of a black character looking as powerful as he does. All my stories are from my point of view as other stories written by others is from their point of view. The future takes place now with ancient ideas being new to the readership whose only been exposed to mainstream comics.”

When asked if he thinks the mainstream industry will ever accept his style of work, and does it matter to him, Andre offered this reply. “When they’re ready for it ,yes. It matters if you’re in it only for financial gains. If you’re in it for the love of comics and Black culture, it doesn’t matter because those in the underground are going to continue to support your idea, which is more important to me.”

Andre goes on to explain his vision for Urban Style.”My ultimate goal for my company is to become a conglomerate like Marvel or D.C. but with a different ideology in my characters. I want the world to know about Urban Style Comics as well as its creations (Dreadlocks, Blackwatch, Jihad a.d., Sachiko, Night Flyers Nubian x and a host of other characters.) I want Urban Style Comics to be on the big screen live action and animated. Just to see this happen I would be happy.”

Urban Style Comics are available locally at Detroit comics and online directly from the company.

June 12, 4:52 PM Detroit Comic Books Examiner Oz Wilson Jr.

“The Watchmen movie had an impact in my mind about motion comics. Not only was it a Hollywood blockbuster it also seemed to be a success on “You tube” with its motion comic book movie I saw it as a way of making my character Dreadlocks come more to life on screen, especially for those that do not read books. This avenue will put the imagery of my comics on their television screens where they may become more involved in the story by reading or even listening to the voice over dialogue.”

Examiner.com asked Andre if all comics books should be done this way? “I think it’s a good idea, but I do not think that it should be the only way to produce your comic book story. There are still hardcore readers that are still interested in the book format only.”

A key component in both animation and digital comics is the vocal performance of the cast. Examiner.com asked Andre about the voices used in his production. “If the budget was there, I would love to hire actors and actresses, but right now our staff does the voice overs so that our ideas are still conveyed to our readership.”

Continuity is also a major factor in the comic book industry. Story arcs have to be maintained religiously or readers will lose interest. Examiner.com asked Andre how great an impact it’ll have on the production of the digital series. “Some stories will have continuity and others will not.”

Andre had this to say about the ultimate goal of Urban Style’s digital division.
“Our goal is to continue to get more people into reading by exciting them with what’s going on the T.V. screen. This is why the words pop up as the person watches the motion comic.”

Like most comic book entrepreneurs Andre has major targets that he’d like to see his characters achieve via this foray in digital comics, like a full fledged animated series perhaps? “It sure can! This is the first step in that direction.”

July 3, 9:49 AM Detroit Comic Books Examiner Oz Wilson Jr.

After being cryogenically frozen for 150 years Johnny Lucas aka Jihad A.D. is awaken to this new world where survival of the fittest is the only law of the land.

Quickly becoming a drifter he wanders from province to province overcoming struggle after struggle earning his name with blood, sweat and bullets.

He is Jihad A.D.!

The very first beat I played for Poetic Menace seemed very appropriate for the character Dreadlocks with its distinct comic book sound. Poetic Menace quickly came up with lyrics making the song “Coming of the First Born” a reality.

To continue the positive energy from our first project we decided to take the infusion of the character Dreadlocks with the lyrical talents of Poetic Menaces and his music. We decided to do the video “Come feel this” with an inclusion of art and visuals taken from the “Dreadlocks the Revelations” series.

Both projects have been the perfect bridge into the dominant Hip Hop culture of today. Hip Hop and Dreadlocks together is a powerful team, Dreadlocks would not have come as far as it has without Hip Ho. Just like Hip Hop, Urban Style Comics is utilizing similar same tools to reach the masses.

If you liked that track be sure to check out Marc a.k.a. Poetic Menace of R.A.W.D.A.W.G. Records latest CD release “The Dawning of Terror”