Ariell Johnson is pushing the limits of comic-book culture as the owner of a newly opened shop that caters to authors of color whose books will be sold right next to mainstream titles.

She is also making history as the first African-American woman to open a comic-book shop on the East Coast.
Johnson's Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse opened in Philadelphia and many are excited about seeing Johnson's passion come alive. She told Colorlines recently that her goal was to create a space that promoted diverse voices that are often overlooked and separated from white, male comic creators.
"I saw the differences in who’s on these covers, what stories we’re telling, and realizing that, despite the fact that I love this medium, I don’t see myself or people other than the heterosexual white male stereotype. Like, there are less of us, but we’re out here reading it," said Johnson.
A lover of comic books, Johnson also felt there was not a space for other comic fanatics like herself to hang out and enjoy their stories. Now they do. 
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(Photo: Stephen Barnes/Demotix/Corbis)