Sam Milai
Ahmed Samuel Milai (March 23, 1908 – April 30, 1970), better known as Sam Milai, was an African American[1] editorial and comic strip cartoonist who drew for the Pittsburgh Courier.
Sam Milai | |
---|---|
Born | Ahmed Samuel Milai March 23, 1908 |
Died | April 30, 1970 62) | (aged
Nationality | American |
Area(s) | Editorial cartoonist, comic strip cartoonist |
Notable works | Your History/ Facts About The Negro, Don Powers |
From 1940–c. 1971, Milai illustrated Your History (later known as Facts About The Negro), written by Joel Augustus Rogers. Patterned after the look of Robert Ripley's popular Believe It or Not cartoons, multiple vignettes in each cartoon episode recounted short items about African Americans from Rogers' research. The feature began in the Pittsburgh Courier in November 1934, with art by George L. Lee. In 1940, the art chores were handed over to Milai, who stayed with the feature through the rest of its run. Two collections were published, Your History (1940) and Facts About The Negro (c. 1960).[2]
Milai created Don Powers, an adventure strip distributed by the Smith-Mann Syndicate about a superlative athlete, from August 19, 1950, to November 1, 1958.[3]
Milai was the Courier's editorial cartoonist for 33 years.
References
- Sheena C. Howard and Ronald L. Jackson II, editors. Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation (A&C Black, 2013), p. 26.
- Holtz, Allan. "Your History", Stripper's Guide, April 22, 2011.
- Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Don Powers,", Stripper's Guide (Feb. 16, 2012).
External links
- The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum: Sam Milai Collection Guide
- The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum: "Sam Milai of the Pittsburgh Courier" digital exhibit