COMICS IN COLOR: A CELEBRATION OF BLACK JOY, ART, AND REPRESENTATION
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Cagen Luse, the visionary founder behind Comics in Color, Boston’s premier comic book festival centering Black and Brown artists and storytellers. Now entering its fifth year, this vibrant event continues to grow, and as an artist who has participated every year, I can honestly say—it’s my favorite comic festival. Beyond the art, cosplay, and creativity, Comics in Color is a cultural experience rooted in connection, celebration, and community.
It’s about culture, creativity, and yes, all things “nerdom and blerdom,” because sometimes our imaginations just need space to roam.
When I asked Cagen what the festival means to him, he didn’t hesitate: “Comics in Color is a space to celebrate joy. To honor our children—and the child that still lives inside of us.”
“When I went to the Black Comic Book Festival in Harlem, something clicked. I said—Boston needs this. Our community needs to find that same joy and sense of belonging that I found in those pages growing up.”
It’s like looking through a looking glass, where folks can see themselves reflected in positive, powerful ways.
Walk into Comics in Color, and you’ll feel that vision brought to life—Black joy, Black imagination, and Black artistry in full bloom. From vibrant music curated by a live DJ to kids and adults alike geeking out over new stories, cosplay contests, live art, and panel discussions—it’s more than a festival, it’s a homecoming.
Cagen’s love for comics began in Portland, Maine, where he was often one of the only children of color in his community. “I was always searching for a window into a different world—and comics were that window,” he shared. That yearning for connection carried into adulthood, especially in spaces where representation was scarce.
Photo Credit: Lauren Miller Photography
Now celebrating the fifth year of the event, Cagen reflected on what he learned along the way. “The biggest lesson? Letting go and letting others contribute. I didn’t know what I was doing that first year—I just knew I had to do it. This whole thing was inspired by the little boy in me, the 10-year-old Cagen who would’ve loved a festival like this.” This year’s festival kicks off on Friday, April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. with an opening panel at Roxbury Community College. The main event takes place Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury. Expect comics, panels, workshops, cosplay contests, live art, and more.
For more info, visit comicsincolor.org. Come celebrate creativity, culture, and community—because this festival isn’t just about comics. It’s about us.
ZAHIRAH NUR TRUTH
PAGE LAYOUTS:
Phoebe Delmonte: p.1 Ruby Garcia: p.2,7 Bota Saudabayeva: p.3,4,5 Adrian Alvarez: p.6,8