Orrin C. Evans

All artwork used is copyright of legal rights holder and/or estate of Orrin C. Evans. Used for educational purposes only

Orrin C. Evans was born in 1902 in Steeleton, Pennsylvania. The eldest son of George J. Evans, Sr. [who worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad] and Maude Wilson Evans [the first black graduate from Williamsport Teacher's College]. His first job was at 17 years old, working for Sportsman's Magazine and at the Philadelphia Tribune (which gave him his first newspaper experience). He became the first black writer covering general assignments for the all-white Philadelphia Record, where in 1944, he wrote about segregation in the armed services in a series of articles, which ended up being read into congressional record and had a hand in ending the practice. He won honorable mention in the Hayword Hale Broun award that same year. Unfortunately, criticizing the government during wartime made him unwelcome in some instances: he received death threats to the point of getting 24 hours a day protection from his friends; at the Philadelphia Police Precinct at 55th and Pine, an officer pulled his revolver and ordered Orrin out of the station--believing that any black man hadn't the right to be on the front side of the bars (the we all belong in jail mentality); and finally Charles Lindbergh had held up his press conference about his kidnapped son to have Orrin removed because of his skin color.

After WW II, the Philadelphia Record had shut down and Orrin was unemployed. By 1947, his writings were appearing in the Chicago Defender, the Philadelphia Independent, the Public Journal, American Music, and The Crisis, the NAACP journal. It was during this time that he had been seriously thinking about the possibility of reaching a wider audience with a comic book. An avid reader and collector, with a library which reflected his varied interests, as well as being (with his wife) long time supporters of the NAACP and the urban League, he wanted to produce a comic which would reflect his values. Arraigning a partnership between himself; his editor at the Record, Harry T. Saylor; his friend and sports editor, Bill Driscoll; and others, he wanted the book should be "of high moral and educational standards." Entitled All-Negro Comics -- cover dated June 1947, He co-created the features with the artists: his brother George J. Evans, Jr., two Philadelphia cartoonists -- John Terrill and Cooper, and Baltimore artist Cravat; the artists possibly also wrote the scripts with editorial input from Bill Driscoll. Orrin was involved in every aspect of the book's production, even being able to secure a bullpen/production area in another building. This was the first comic of original material to be marketed to the black community, as well as created by blacks and featuring an all black cast in lead heroic roles. Unfortunately, there is no information concerning the distribution or press run, but it may have been distributed outside the Philadelphia area.

A second issue was planned as well as artwork being completed, but was never published; due to his source nor any other vendors would sell him newsprint. His belief was that the bigger publishers and distributers was putting pressure on the newsprint wholesalers, simply to block any intrusions to their established territories. In Spring 1947 and Summer 1948, Parent's Magazine had published two issues of Negro Heroes, which reprinted stories from their Calling All Girls, Real Heroes, and True Comics. Fawcett publications published three issues of Negro Romance (the second issue was reprinted by Charlton as Negro Romances number 4 dated June - October 1950 and May 1955, respectively); they also published a series of sports hero comics in 1950 starring Jackie Robinson and Joe Lewis. Some Caucasian companies had designed and distributed tabloid-sized inserts of comics and general interest material into black newspapers. Orrin returned to the newspapers, where he was editor at the Chester Times and the Philadelphia Bulletin. He was also director of the Philadelphia Press Association, and officer of the Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia, and in 1966, he won the Inter Urban League of Pennsylvania Achievement Award. He covered more National Urban League and NAACP conventions than any other reporter. The month before he joined the ancestors, he was honored in a resolution at the annual NAACP convention in Minneapolis and a scholarship was created in his name. His brother artist George J. Evans, Jr. joined the ancestors in July 1996 at Howard Hospital in Maryland.

Orrin C. Evans: the first black publisher, an exceptional intellect from outside the comic book field who saw great potential in comic books as a medium fro both entertainment and education, and who had the determination to see his dream through to reality.

Opening editorial of All Negro Comics Issue 1	Ace Harlem by John Terrell -- first feature
The Dew Dillies by Cooper-- second feature	The third feature is called Ezekiel's Manhunt
Lion Man by George J. Evans, Jr.	Hep Chicks on Parade by an artist signing by the name of Len
Lil Eggie by John Terrell	Sugarfoot by Cravat
A public service announcement