Pete Brown collection of Native Americans in comic books
Collection
Identifier: Ayer-Modern-MS-BrownP
Scope and Content of the Collection
The collection consists of comic books, graphic novels, dolls, DVDs, and promotional ephemera produced by various companies. The collection spans from the late-1930s to 2015 with the strongest representation in the years 1970-2010. The comics are from both major publishers such as DC and Marvel and independent publishers such as Dark Horse. The collection includes some comic books produced specifically by the Canadian government for First Nations communities and by tribal governments or members themselves. Individual series that are well represented include Alpha Flight, Coyote, Gen 13, G.I. Joe, Jonah Hex, Lone Ranger, New Mutants, Weird Western Tales, and X-Force.
Dates
- 1937-2015
Creator
- Brown, Pete (Person)
Language
Materials are primarily in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The Pete Brown collection of Native Americans in comic books is open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
See the Newberry Library’s “Access to Culturally Sensitive Indigenous Materials” page.
See the Newberry Library’s “Access to Culturally Sensitive Indigenous Materials” page.
Ownership and Literary Rights
The Pete Brown collection of Native Americans in comic books is the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.
Biography of Pete Brown
American businessman, teacher, and collector.
Pete Brown is originally from Detroit. His research interest in the historical representation of Native Americans in popular culture started in 2001 when he began work as an elementary school teacher in Three Rivers, Michigan. He was interested in how the depiction of Native Americans, especially around the Thanksgiving holiday, influenced his students. Aware that most of his students didn't self-identify with any specific tribal affiliation or have any personal understanding of Native cultures, he was curious about the influences shaping their understanding of Native American identities and cultures. Their introduction to Native Americans came primarily through cartoons, comic books, video games, and toys.
Several years later, as the Public Programs Manager for the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Brown was able to invest significant time on this project—researching, collecting, and conducting outreach. Over a three-year-span, he amassed a large collection of Native American-themed pop culture items. He spoke regionally on the topic, interacted with Native and non-Native writers and artists, and created several public programs devoted to the subject of Native American representation in popular culture.
Today, Pete Brown owns a multimedia production company in Indianapolis called ASH Interactive and teaches at the University of Indianapolis.
Pete Brown is originally from Detroit. His research interest in the historical representation of Native Americans in popular culture started in 2001 when he began work as an elementary school teacher in Three Rivers, Michigan. He was interested in how the depiction of Native Americans, especially around the Thanksgiving holiday, influenced his students. Aware that most of his students didn't self-identify with any specific tribal affiliation or have any personal understanding of Native cultures, he was curious about the influences shaping their understanding of Native American identities and cultures. Their introduction to Native Americans came primarily through cartoons, comic books, video games, and toys.
Several years later, as the Public Programs Manager for the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Brown was able to invest significant time on this project—researching, collecting, and conducting outreach. Over a three-year-span, he amassed a large collection of Native American-themed pop culture items. He spoke regionally on the topic, interacted with Native and non-Native writers and artists, and created several public programs devoted to the subject of Native American representation in popular culture.
Today, Pete Brown owns a multimedia production company in Indianapolis called ASH Interactive and teaches at the University of Indianapolis.
Extent
9.7 Linear Feet (9 boxes)
Abstract
Comic books, graphic novels, and pop culture ephemera with Native American themes, characters, and imagery produced in North America from the years 1937 to 2015.
Arrangement
Collection arranged alphabetically.
Collection Stack Location
3a 57 1
Provenance
Purchase and donation, Pete Brown, 2016, with subsequent donations by others.
Processed by
Matthew P. Messbarger, 2017.
- Action figures
- Alternative comics
- Brown, Pete
- Comic books
- Comic books and children
- Comic books and teenagers
- Comic books, strips, etc.
- Comic books, strips, etc. -- Social aspects
- DC Comics, Inc
- Dark Horse Comics, Inc
- Graphic novels
- Image Comics, Inc
- Indians in popular culture
- Indians of North America -- Attitudes
- Indians of North America -- Comic books, strips, etc.
- Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Marvel Comics Group
- Western comic books, strips, etc.
Creator
- Brown, Pete (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the Pete Brown collection of Native Americans in comic books, 1937–2015
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Matthew P. Messbarger
- Date
- ©2017.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org