Midnight Mystics
An Anthology of Fantasy Comics by Black Women
Synopsis
Midnight Mystics is a graphic novel collecting ten fantasy comics from the minds of Black women from across the spectrum of Black womanhood. Edited by Sarah A. Macklin (The Violent Vixens Ride Again, Soul Food Wars) and with a host of professional and brand new talents, you will be transported to new worlds of magic and adventure. Midnight Mystics will feature works from Stephanie Williams (Nubia and the Amazons, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur), Saly Lockheart (Image, DC, Marvel), Phoebe Holmes (High Spirit, webcomic), Toshi J (Midnight Comics), Ryan Oakley (contributing artist Won’t Back Down), and many more!
Burning Phoenix Press launches its first project on Kickstarter with a $25k goal. This is the first all-Black women fantasy graphic novel anthology featuring all Black women creatives to launch on the platform.
Columbia, SC (July 14, 2025) – Burning Phoenix Press, the creative brainchild of Sarah A. Macklin (The Violent Vixens Ride Again, Soul Food Wars), launched the first all-Black Women graphic novel fantasy anthology now live on Kickstarter! The impressive lineup roster includes Stephanie Williams (DC Nubia and the Amazons, Marvel Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur), Ignatz-nominated Ryan Oakely, Saly Lockheart, (Image, DC, Marvel)
Phoebe Holmes( High Spirited, webcomic), Toshi J.(Midnight Comics), and more to produce ten epic and original fantasy comics. These stories range from themes including high fantasy, low fantasy, romantasy, and mythology.
Holmes explains why she feels the campaign will resonate with comic book lovers. “Midnight Mystics stands out in terms of diversity of themes and concepts. The stories within the anthology vary from romance to dystopian, and there’s really something for everyone.”
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With less than a week to go, the campaign continues to gain supporters and has been shared by notable creators such as comic writer, Alex de Campi (Dracula, Motherf**ker!), NY Times Bestselling Author, John Jennings (Kindred, Parable of the Sower) and more. Even Isis Asare, founder of Sistah Scifi–the first Black-owned bookstore specializing in science fiction and fantasy, jumped at the opportunity to back the graphic novel project. “I couldn’t miss the opportunity to support Black women creating comics. Black women are gifted and natural storytellers and I can’t wait to see the stories and visuals these creatives make.”
Macklin wants supporters of this campaign to know that the $25k goal is to set the standard of paying Black women creatives their worth. “As you can see, there is no slice for the editor. That is intentional. I didn’t form this press with dreams of it becoming a quick payday.
Macklin has revealed that the bulk of the money raised will go strictly to the creatives and printing costs. “Burning Phoenix was created with a singular mission in mind: to be a place where Black women in comics can flourish, have their stories told authentically and undiluted, but, most of all, be paid for their creative work. If you believe in this mission as well, we hope you’ll join us on this adventure.”
ABOUT BURNING PHOENIX PRESS
Burning Phoenix Press is a micrographic novel publisher that focuses on the visual narratives created by Black women creatives. Founded by Sarah A. Macklin, Burning Phoenix Press was formed to increase the presence of Black women in the comic industry.
ABOUT SISTAH SCIFI
Started in 2019 by Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi is the first Back-owned bookstore focused on science fiction and fantasy in the US, as validated by the American Booksellers Association. Located primarily in cyberspace, Sistah Scifi launched three Sistah Scifi Book Vending Machines at Chapter 510 located at 546 9th St, Oakland, CA 94607, and Northwest African American Museum and Distant Worlds Coffee in Seattle, WA in 2022. more at www.sistahscifi.com.
