Keep an open mind when reading Black Rainbow Comics. Image by artist Kiiya Muses.
When I asked friends what they thought of Black Rainbow, most said it was weird and disturbing. Most found it somewhat humorous and clever while others leaned towards dark and provoking. I agree with all of the above. When I look back to my childhood, my choice of comics were Archie and Family Circus. I usually kept it very light, simple, and wholesome. So when Jeff introduced his comic strips to me, they were definitely out of my comfort zone. At times, I wanted to voice my objection to potentially offensive and adult oriented themes but chose to stay quiet. Instead, I try to focus on the creativity behind the work. I had to remind myself that doing something different is a challenge and my support is the best thing I can offer.
Perhaps there are people out there who may be able to identify with the stories. Hopefully, as the characters develop, people will come to appreciate their faults and strengths and want to follow their weekly misadventures. Since one of Black Rainbow’s influences comes from the psychiatric ward, I hope it can also increase the importance of mental health awareness. Through humor, Black Rainbow may be able to confront behaviors and ideas that are taboo and rarely addressed.
