feature: meet ariell r. johnson, owner of the east coast’s first black female-owned comics and coffee shop

Photo by Charles Fox for Philly.com

“I got the idea for the shop about 12 years ago, when I was still attending Temple University. My favorite coffee shop was directly across the street from my comic book store of choice. So, each Friday, I would buy my books at Fat Jack’s, go across the street to Crimson Moon, and read everything I bought,” Ariell R. Johnson, owner of Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, Inc., the first black female-owned comic books and coffee shop on the East coast, told Philly.com

“I just loved the vibe of the coffee shop…and I loved being able to indulge my comic-book obsession in a comfortable environment that wasn’t my house,” Johnson continued. “When the coffee shop closed its doors, I was devastated. That’s when the idea came to me.”

Amalgam’s mission is not solely to provide a place for people to geek-out on comic books while getting hopped up on caffeine (although, that’s fun, too). Amalgam is committed diversity and inclusion. “But, in addition to those usual suspects, we want to showcase diverse comics, creators, and characters. We think that comics are for everyone and anyone that loves comics-women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community. We will actively look to stock titles that showcase people in these groups, right long with Superman, Batman, Captain America, and Thor.”

To read Johnson’s full interview with Philly.com, click here. In Philadelphia? Visit Amalgam in person at 2578 Frankford Ave.

By Erin White, AFROPUNK contributor