Black History Month Spotlight: 9 Months (Urban Comic)

Writer: Jorge Vega

Artist: Jeff McComsey

Publisher: Two Fisted Press

Issues:  9

9 Months follows Thomasina (Tommy) Biggers, a rising high school track star from a conventional Christian home whose life took a turn for the worst after making a couple of ill-advised decisions. Ultimately ending up in a abusive relationship with a 30 something year old man. Thomasina then learns that she is pregnant and is forced to kill him in the act of self defense. However her nightmare  was only just beginning9 Months was a indie Comic that I picked up a few years ago at New York Comic Con.  My initial reaction after seeing the cover art, was “That’s some shit”. Mr. Vega went on to laugh hysterically. Keep in mind, this was 7 or 8 years ago.  My exposure to indie comics was fairly new. The image was darker and different than anything else I’ve ever come across. I suppose it was done that way to hint the kind themes that would surface throughout this story.

I was intrigued.  How messed up of a situation would a pregnant woman have to be in for her to hold someone at gunpoint, with her other hand clutching on to her unborn child. Blood splatter everywhere. I just had to find out what was going on. So I purchased the first issue.

The female lead was Black which also served to peak my interest. The representation was cool but more importantly, Thomasina was a real person with real problems. The story wasn’t a fairytale or story about a super hero and his damsel in distress.  Granted she could probably be considered a damsel in distress given her situation but there had been no prince charming to save her. Tommy was forced to pulled herself from the ashes. And at times, like everything else in life, giving your all doesn’t always prove to be enough. And at this point, One can either give up or dust yourself off and try again.
That particular sentiment was what resonated with me the most.