BHM Spotlight: The Grade 'A' Art Of Ashley A. Woods

by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

In celebration of Black History Month, PREVIEWSworld asked multiple creators within the comics industry to talk about their personal history with Black History Month and their personal history with comics. In our final spotlight, we talk with Ashley A. Woods, who graces the cover of Black Comix Returns but is also the artist behind Dark Horse's Tomb Raider, and more! 

Give us the rundown on a recent comics project you're excited to be working on.

Well, I just completed providing pencils and inks for the current arc in the "Tomb Raider" comics. That was a big deal to me because I've wanted to work with Dark Horse Comics since 2003. I began reading the "Blade of the Immortal" series and I also grew up playing the Tomb Raider games, so I was definitely hyped when I was presented with the opportunity to draw the "Survivor' s Crusade" arc.

When did you become interested in comics?

Early in childhood, I discovered some old comics a few of my family members had collected during the 70s and 80s (X-Men, Cable) in the house where I grew up and was intrigued by the art. Seeing those books inspired me to create my own makeshift comics with copy paper stapled together. The kind of stories I created were either based on my favorite toys -- which were Barbie and Legos -- or original stories set in the Mayan temples and African villages. There were a lot of National Geographic magazines in my house so I'd create stories based on the environments I found within those magazines. I've always loved drawing women so naturally the main characters in my stories were female. As I developed my skills, I began adding male characters. I also remember painting a huge watercolor portrait of Ghost Rider during driver's ed back in high school. Drawing comics in class was something I did all throughout my school years. Some teachers didn't appreciate it and would confiscate my art. But there was one particular teacher that bumped up my grade to an A after I gave her some artwork. Thanks, Ms. P!

How was Black History Month introduced to you growing up?

Nothing was hidden from me in my childhood home and I was raised with the knowledge of the great inventors, literary, and political figures in the African American community. I also learned about racism and watched many movies illustrating what African Americans faced and overcame in the past. In addition, the schools I attended also taught many of these history lessons.

Does that line up with your take on Black History Month in 2018?

For the most part, yes.

If you could work on any comic next, what would it be?

Besides my own self-published comic, "Millennia War", which I'm currently working on issue 7 during my downtime, I would LOVE to work on a comic featuring Cassandra Cain, Storm, Wonder Woman, JEM, or Betty and Veronica from Archie. There's definitely more but those come to mind first.

What comics are you reading right now?

Right now I'm reading the zombie manga, "I Am A Hero", by Kengo Hanazawa. The main character, Hideo, is a bit of jerk but I'm surprised to say that I still relate to him in some ways. I can see myself making the same decisions as him should a zombie apocalypse ever fall upon us. I think I'd be a bit quicker and smarter, though.

Why Black History Month?

Why not?

Give us a quick rundown of your upcoming con appearances.

I just had a guest spot at Cedar Rapids Comic Con at the start of February. So far, my upcoming con appearances are C2E2 and Heroes Con. 

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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the Consumer Marketing Digital Editor for PREVIEWSworld.com and Diamond's pop culture network of sites. His comics work includes BAMN, Fight of the Century, and the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics.