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This Artist Reimagined 10 Cartoons With Black Characters, And The Result Triggers Some People
Reimagined cartoon characters are a dime-a-dozen these days, how many more times can Disney princesses take on a different guise? That’s not to say it’s easy though. While some artists give a change of outfit or maybe a new hairstyle, capturing a uniquely different ‘feel’ of a popular cartoon character can be a real challenge.
Artist Tyron Handy has managed to do just that, giving famous cartoons like The Simpsons And Family Guy black characters, and doing it so well that people are calling for the animated series to be made in real life. “Most recreations that I see are just people putting designer clothes and jewelry onto the characters and changing their skin color. My recreations really look like they could be parallel versions of the characters,” he told.
“There weren’t a lot of cartoons that I felt represented me much growing up — most black cartoon characters and tv shows were stereotypical, slightly racial discriminating side characters and the best friend of the white main character. Black kids need to be able to see more representations of themselves in media.”
These cartoon reimaginings are a side project to Tyron’s weekly comic. ‘Apple Dapple Tactics‘ is based around the main character Ty, a systems engineer for Coca-Cola (although his mama says he ain’t got no job) and his complicated relationships. Check it out!
Scroll down below to see Tyron’s work for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!
More info: Instagram
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This is Tyron Handy, a Cartoonist, Illustrator and Comic Artist from Philadelphia
He has reimagined some of his favourite cartoons with black characters
He started posting on his instagram 2 years ago and now more than 19 000 people love his work
He told BuzzFeed: “There weren’t a lot of cartoons that I felt represented me much growing up”
“Most black characters in cartoons and tv shows were stereotypical side characters and the best friend of the white main character”
“Black kids need to be able to see more representations of themselves in media”
Handy wants to inspire the next generation of black artists
“I hope that one day I can run my own animation studio. I want to create more cartoons with black lead characters that will better represent the black experience”
Handy also has his own weekly comic, Apple Dapple Tactics
Not everyone accepted Handy’s message, some even thought it was racist
But others defended him and said what he was doing was good
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What do you think ?
Robert Kienbaum III 7 years ago
As a Caucasian American who loves these shows, I AM INCENSED! Not by the Blackification (is that a word? Screw it; it is now!) of these cartoons. They're awesome. I'm pissed at the racist a******s that find these images so offensive. FFS people, who cares?? First off, 100% of these characters are FICTIONAL. Secondly, the world is a rainbow. You can either accept it and enjoy it or keep staring at the storm clouds in misery.
Person2638 7 years ago (edited)
I love how well he nailed the art styles and I know that my sister would be happier if she had colored (especially Indian) cartoon people. For me, it was more books. Growing up, I only ever found one book with an Indian main protagonist, everyoone else was white (and occasionally black). I needed more of those. I think representation does matter a lot and this guy is not racist.
Amanda Panda 7 years ago
I always kinda thought Goofy and Max and Roxanne were black. Was I wrong?
Stille20 7 years ago
I think I always thought of Roxanne as being Hispanic... but you are right. I defiantly has a perception about a cartoon character's race... how weird.
Load More Replies...
Rich Auntie Skeleton 7 years ago
Some of the younger members of the site may not remember but back in the 90's black Simpsons shirts were all the rage among black Americans.
Sarah 7 years ago
I love these. Wonder Woman is my favorite, for many reasons. We need a black Captain America. Black Americans fought (and continue to fight) in every major conflict.
Jason Goldman 6 years ago
DC Comics already had Black versions of Wonder Woman in the comics. Did you ever of Nubia? She is Wonder Woman's Black twin sister.
Load More Replies...
Darrell Edson 7 years ago
Just as this artist drew ALL of these characters black, the original (probably white) artists drew them all white. It isn't racism. It's just that people tend to draw and represent themselves. I mean, is this artist racist for not drawing them Asian? Middle Eastern? Native American?...you see?
Ellis 7 years ago (edited)
The Simpsons are white? Perhaps Im colour blind, but I thought they were yellow... Never thought of them as having any specific race, so why give them one?
Load More Replies...
Angi Jiles 7 years ago
I would love to see the black Ed, EDD & Eddy. Also, black Wonder Woman could be awesome!
Robert Kienbaum III 7 years ago
As a Caucasian American who loves these shows, I AM INCENSED! Not by the Blackification (is that a word? Screw it; it is now!) of these cartoons. They're awesome. I'm pissed at the racist a******s that find these images so offensive. FFS people, who cares?? First off, 100% of these characters are FICTIONAL. Secondly, the world is a rainbow. You can either accept it and enjoy it or keep staring at the storm clouds in misery.
Person2638 7 years ago (edited)
I love how well he nailed the art styles and I know that my sister would be happier if she had colored (especially Indian) cartoon people. For me, it was more books. Growing up, I only ever found one book with an Indian main protagonist, everyoone else was white (and occasionally black). I needed more of those. I think representation does matter a lot and this guy is not racist.
Amanda Panda 7 years ago
I always kinda thought Goofy and Max and Roxanne were black. Was I wrong?
Stille20 7 years ago
I think I always thought of Roxanne as being Hispanic... but you are right. I defiantly has a perception about a cartoon character's race... how weird.
Load More Replies... Rich Auntie Skeleton 7 years ago
Some of the younger members of the site may not remember but back in the 90's black Simpsons shirts were all the rage among black Americans.
Sarah 7 years ago
I love these. Wonder Woman is my favorite, for many reasons. We need a black Captain America. Black Americans fought (and continue to fight) in every major conflict.
Jason Goldman 6 years ago
DC Comics already had Black versions of Wonder Woman in the comics. Did you ever of Nubia? She is Wonder Woman's Black twin sister.
Load More Replies... Darrell Edson 7 years ago
Just as this artist drew ALL of these characters black, the original (probably white) artists drew them all white. It isn't racism. It's just that people tend to draw and represent themselves. I mean, is this artist racist for not drawing them Asian? Middle Eastern? Native American?...you see?
Ellis 7 years ago (edited)
The Simpsons are white? Perhaps Im colour blind, but I thought they were yellow... Never thought of them as having any specific race, so why give them one?
Load More Replies... Angi Jiles 7 years ago
I would love to see the black Ed, EDD & Eddy. Also, black Wonder Woman could be awesome!
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