An Interview with Ariell Johnson, founder of Amalgam Comics: “Everyone has the right to have their story told”

Maybe you’ve heard of Ariell Johnson and Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse in Philadephia, PA. Since opening last year, Amalgam has gotten plenty of press coverage as a comic book store/coffee shop owned and operated by a colorfully loc’d Black woman (and fellow Storm fan, OF COURSE!). She’s doing work many of us have dreamed of — owning our own spaces and showcasing Black art. We caught up with her in the midst of her busy schedule to talk fandom, snacks, and how to create a clean, well-lit place for comics and events.

Black Nerd Problems: Let’s get the important stuff out of the way first: Who’s your favorite comic book character? Is it still Storm, as you note in your IgnitePhilly talk? What about her do you love? Ariell: Yes! Of course! I’m loyal, lol. Storm is my first love when it comes to comics. I love everything about her, she is such a robust character. She of course piqued my interest when I first encountered her because she was the first Black woman superhero that I’d ever come across…the first superhero that looked like me. She made me feel that I was no longer on the sidelines watching the action unfold, I was a part of it. She’s strong, powerful, smart, beautiful and a leader. What’s not to love? BNP: In your IgnitePhilly talk, you speak so passionately about the importance of representation in the media we love. When/how did you first come to realize that comics mattered? Ariell: Honestly, I didn’t think about it too much when I was younger. I thin…