Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Artist's Depiction Of Popular Cartoon Characters As Black Is Stirring Controversy

Artist's Depiction Of Popular Cartoon Characters As Black Is Stirring Controversy
@studio_total_onyx_/Instagram

It's no secret that we don't have enough representation of people of color in our modern arts, including in cartoons.

Most characters on TV are white or are drawn/played as if the character is culturally white.


So when Tyron Handy grew dissatisfied with the lack of people like himself on TV, he took matters into his own hands.

Handy said:

"There weren't a lot of cartoons that I felt represented me much growing up—most black characters in cartoons and tv shows were stereotypical side characters and the best friend of the white main character."
"Black kids need to be able to see more representations of themselves in media."

For the past two years he's been posting his reimaginings on Instagram.

Check them out below.

Handy did his version of The Powerpuff Girls...


...and Hey Arnold, which he renamed Hey Andre...



...and the Griffith family from Family Guy...



Handy says what sets him apart from other artists is that he recreates characters that "look like they could be parallel versions of themselves," rather than just slapping some designer clothing and jewelry onto the models that already exist.

At times, he also changes the characters names, like when The Simpsons became The Blacksons.



Rick and Morty retained their names, but got a brand new look.



Handy also tackled The Goofy Movie.



Handy says he wants to pave the way for the next generation of black artists and illustrators.

He said:

"I hope that one day I can run my own animation studio. I want to create more cartoons with black lead characters that will better represent the black experience."

Many of his reimaginings involve the icons of many people's childhoods.

Like Rugrats...


...and Ed, Edd, 'n Eddy.


Handy also has a weekly comic entitled "Apple Dapple Tactics" which follows a guy named Ty and delves into his various relationships and crazy love life.

Handy's Instagram has over 24,000 followers.

But people's reactions to his reimaginings have been mixed.



Instagram


Instagram


Instagram


Instagram


Instagram

But Handy's work is important to many who do not feel represented, and as such, he continues to draw.

We hope he achieves his goal and a whole new generation of POC artists get the chance to shape kids' futures.

H/T: BoredPanda, Buzzfeed

More from Trending

John Mannion; Mike Lawler
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Dem Rep. Unloads On GOP Colleague In NSFW Rant On House Floor Over Padilla Incident

New York Democratic Representative John Mannion criticized his Republican colleague Mike Lawler, telling him to "get some f**king balls" during a blowup confrontation on the House floor after California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's press conference and handcuffed.

Padilla said he had "questions for the secretary" at Noem's press conference addressing President Donald Trump's deployment of members of the National Guard, and later the Marines, to stop protests in Los Angeles against the Trump administration's immigration raids.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cole Escola; Nicole Scherzinger
Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Cole Escola Shuts Down Speculation Around Their Joke About Nicole Scherzinger's Tony Win

Actor Cole Escola has spoken out about the controversy that was sparked when they made a silly, innocent political joke at the Tonys on Sunday.

Escola, the genius behind the Broadway hit Oh, Mary!, made history Sunday when they became the first nonbinary actor to win the award for Leading Actor in a Play.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Alex Padilla getting arrested by officers and Padilla during MSNBC interview
@CalltoActivism/X; MSNBC

Dem Senator Speaks Out After He Was Thrown To Ground And Handcuffed For Questioning Kristi Noem At LA Press Conference

California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla spoke out after disturbing footage showed him getting dragged out of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's press conference in Los Angeles yesterday for trying to ask a question—only for law enforcement to shove him to the ground and handcuff him.

Padilla introduced himself and merely said he had "questions for the secretary" at Noem's press conference addressing President Donald Trump's deployment of members of the National Guard, and later the Marines, in response to protests in Los Angeles against the Trump administration's immigration raids.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carnie Wilson and Brian Wilson
KMazur/WireImage for The Recording Academy/Getty Images

Carnie Wilson Shares Heartbreaking Tribute To Dad Brian Wilson After His Death At 82

Beach Boys founding member Brian Wilson died on Wednesday at the age of 82. Tributes from friends, fellow musicians, and fans referred to him as a musical genius for his songwriting, musical composition style and innovative recording techniques.

He's also patriarch to a musical dynasty, with his daughters, Carnie and Wendy, and granddaughter, Lola, following in his footsteps. Carnie and Wendy Wilson formed Wilson Phillips with their childhood friend Chynna Phillips—whose own parents are Michelle and John Phillips of '60s super group The Mamas And The Papas.

Keep ReadingShow less
JD Vance
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Vance Tried To Make A Joke About Seeing 'Les Misérables' At The Kennedy Center—And It's Peak Cringe

Vice President JD Vance had people groaning after he made a bad joke about the production of Les Misérables he and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, attended at the Kennedy Center with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

The musical, set in 19th century France, tells the story of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who is released from prison for stealing a loaf of bread. The story touches on timeless themes such as justice and mercy—and also happens to be about people resisting an authoritarian takeover, which many find ironic given the Trump administration's response to protests in Los Angeles.

Keep ReadingShow less