I ran across two stories this week dealing with African-American comic-book creators, one meant to make me laugh, the other designed to tug at my heartstrings. The piece that wanted to move me succeeded, the other … not so much.

The supposedly funny skit appeared as part of the Chocolate News TV series on Comedy Central. I’m a big fan of David Alan Grier, and have been ever since In Living Color. I like him still. Only what I tend to enjoy most about the new series is the personality he lets shine through during his monologues, rather than the skits, which can be hit and miss.

The bit on Blomicon 2008, The Black Comic Con, was one of those misses. It could have been funnier. It should have been funnier. Here it is for those of you who might not have caught it when it aired. Maybe you’ll find it funnier than I did.

Then there’s the recent Washington Post article, “Comic Book Hero” written by David Rowell, which follows Andre Campbell as he navigates the 15th Annual Pittsburgh Comic Con. Campbell is a legally blind artist who has created more than 500 characters and hopes to someday make it as a comic-book creator. I wish him well.