"...you have some people who can dress as your character but to truly understand the meaning behind the character, to understand Auset and Heru, Ptah, and Ma'at that was everything to me. "


Andre Batts

Motor City Black Age of Comics Creator/ Artist/ Writer

How many years of ECBACC: 15

Favorite Mainstream: Walking Dead, American Gods, Watchmen, Lovecraft Country, Game of Thrones, Afro Samurai

Favorite Character: Dreadlocks

But wait, there's more: Motor City Black Age of Comics

How did you get involved with ECBACC?

I was working at Wizard World one year, and a brother named Stacy happened to come by and tell me I should be at the Black Age of Comics going on at the same time. I didn't know anything about it. I told my two partners who were with me, Kevin Hallman and Chris Irvin, to hold down the fort while I to go up to Temple University. I got in and got a little table real quick. I sat on a panel and from then on, they received my support.


Oh wow so the year you found out about it is the year you actually participated in the event?

Yes, I ended up showing up every year. I even created an event after ECBACC, the Motor City Black Age of Comics here in Detroit.


Do you have a cherished memory from ECBACC?
I actually met Dwayne McDuffie there one year. He was two tables away from me. I met the brother who did Bruce Leeroy in The Last Dragon [Taimak]. I met a very positive brother, William Foster, the comic book historian. Then there was the year I met the brother who cosplays my character, Dreadlocks, Farugh Maat. When I met him that was really a game-changer for me. Seeing someone cosplay my character was one of the best things ever.


Can you expand a bit more on meeting Farugh Maat?

First off, Yumy called me and told me he knew of a brother who was interested in cosplaying my character, Dreadlocks. He sent me a picture, and I thought it was great. He looks really good. When I came to Philadelphia that year, I ended up meeting him and we instantly clicked like we'd known each other all our lives. Farugh was able to embody my character and the Kemetic legacy. It was a big thing. You have some people who can dress as a character, but to truly understand the meaning behind the character, to understand Auset and Heru, Ptah, and Ma'at, that was everything to me.