Art
Orrin Cromwell Evans: The Pioneer of African American Journalism and Comics
Orrin Cromwell Evans was a remarkable figure in the history of African American journalism and comics. Born in 1902 in Steelton, Pennsylvania, he overcame racial complexities and challenges to become a groundbreaking journalist and the driving force behind the publication of All-Negro Comics, a significant milestone in African American comic book history.
By Tamara Shiloh
Orrin Cromwell Evans was a remarkable figure in the history of African American journalism and comics. Born in 1902 in Steelton, Pennsylvania, he overcame racial complexities and challenges to become a groundbreaking journalist and the driving force behind the publication of All-Negro Comics, a significant milestone in African American comic book history.
Despite leaving school at a young age, Orrin Evans’ determination and talent led him to The Philadelphia Tribune, a highly respected Black newspaper, when he was just a teenager. By the early 1930s, he had become the only Black reporter on the staff of The Philadelphia Record, a mainstream white newspaper. He covered critical race issues during World War II, making him one of the first Black reporters on general assignment for a white publication. His fearless reporting often put him in difficult situations, including being denied entry to a press conference on Charles Lindbergh, a pioneering aviator.
Evans’ work was not confined to one newspaper; his reports were featured in other notable publications, including the Chicago Defender, The Philadelphia Independent, and The Crisis, the NAACP’s official magazine. His popularity as a journalist convinced him that he could reach an even broader audience through a different medium: comic books.
In 1947, Orrin Evans, along with his partners Bill Driscoll and Harry T. Saylor, founded All-Negro Comics, Inc. They published the groundbreaking All-Negro Comics, the first-known comic magazine entirely written and illustrated by African American writers and artists. This 48-page comic book featured glossy covers and newsprint interiors. While the exact number of copies produced remains unknown, it was a significant achievement in a time when Black-themed comics were limited to segregated Black communities.
Orrin, alongside artists like his brother George J. Evans Jr., John Terrell, Cooper, and Cravat, co-created the comic’s features. These characters, including “Ace Harlem,” a Black police detective, aimed to inspire African Americans and represent their cultural heritage positively. Although Evans attempted to publish a second issue, he faced obstacles, including difficulties in obtaining the required newsprint, possibly due to opposition from white publishers entering the Black-themed comics market.
Orrin Evans’ contributions to journalism and comics did not go unnoticed. He received numerous awards and tributes during his lifetime, including recognition from the Urban League of Pennsylvania and the NAACP. A scholarship was established in his name, honoring his commitment to journalism. In 2011, he and his brother were posthumously awarded the ECBACC Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award for their role in creating All-Negro Comics. Three years later, Evans was elected to the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame, a testament to his pioneering work as the president of All-Negro Comics.
