What Comics Can Teach Us About Black History…
…turns out, a lot! We pick the (Mega)Brain behind Megabrain Comics, Jean David Michel
From the moment you step in the door of Megabrain Comics or visit the website, you know you’ve landed somewhere special. Jean, the owner, has been reading comics since before he could read; his passion is infectious. Enter with caution or your kids might come out enthusiastic readers—hands full of graphic novels and new releases!
In fact, it’s hard to imagine Jean ever not owning a comic book shop in the heart of Rhinebeck or Rhinebeck existing without Megabrain as a refuge and watering hole for Hudson Valley readers and fans.
Long ago, before opening Megabrain, Jean worked in an office. He and his colleague bonded over comics and decided to make their own comic. They had early success and got up to two issues before life took over. They both had families and responsibilities. Fast forward to 2017 when Jean’s wife had a brilliant idea and suggested that Jean open a comic book shop in Rhinebeck. He began writing his business plan that night and opened four months later.
As a resident of Rhinebeck for ten years (and across the river in Kingston before that), Jean felt a strong connection to the business community and was already a familiar face in the village. “We all look out for each other. Everybody’s invested in everybody else’s wellbeing and welfare,” Jean says of Rhinebeck.
And Jean is invested in his customers. His intention has always been to create a place where people feel they belong. “There are comic books out there no matter who you are — somebody out there is telling a story for you.”
From day one he created sections in the store and on the website to make it easy for people to find themselves reflected in the stories – there’s a BIPOC section and an LGBTQ section filled with unique stories.
To celebrate Black History Month, Jean has curated a selection of stories. His recommendations include Monster (the graphic novel), Black Gold, and The Wash Day Diaries.
“Walter Dean Myers's Monster is a multi-award–winning, provocative coming-of-age story about Steve Harmon, a teenager facing prosecution for armed robbery and murder. As Steve acclimates to juvie and endures his trial, he envisions the ordeal as a movie.”
“From writer Jamila Rowser and artist Robyn Smith comes a captivating graphic novel love letter to the beauty and endurance of Black women, their friendships, and their hair. Wash Day Diaries tells the story of four best friends—Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie—through five connected short story comics that follow these young women through the ups and downs of their daily lives in the Bronx.”
“This lyrical picture book is a joyous, poetic, celebration of Black children and a reminder of the Universe’s unconditional love in stunning verse and captivating collage. Laura Obuobi’s empowering, whimsical text and London Ladd’s lustrous, captivating illustrations will inspire children to love themselves exactly as they are.”
He gravitated to comics shops as a teenager because he found them to be safe spaces where people could have a passionate debate without feeling judged or ostracized. “A huge part of growing up is learning how to have a healthy dialogue with humans,” and Jean extends that opportunity to the patrons of his shop. It’s more than a place to buy comics, it’s a place that brings people of all ages with shared interests together to engage and connect. You have an opportunity to explain why Superman is more amazing than Batman and actually be heard.
Right now Megabrain Comics is in the midst of a transformation. Soon the back room will go from being an arcade to a game lounge. “The kids need to have a place in town to land and hang out after school,” Jean explains. By mid to late spring the shop will offer a table top lounge with cards, dungeons and dragons, snacks, refreshments, and a place where kids know they are welcome.
Upstate Down Q&A
With Jean David
What’s your favorite farm or farm stand in the Hudson Valley?
Greig Farm. Amazing staff. I take my twins there all the time to feed the goats.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
Terrapin. The food is fantastic and I used to work there for years, so it’s like an extended family to me.
What do you love most about your home?
The potential! There’s so much we can do in terms of renovations and improvements to the land and yard in the years to come to fit our family of five. We love our neighbors. We’re five minutes from the village.
