NJ Comic Creator’s New Book Honors Local African-American Icon

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Comic book creator Naseed Gifted has deep Newark roots.

The proud product of George Washington Carver Elementary School, Science High School (before it became Science Park) and New Jersey Institute of Technology, Gifted now works for the Newark Public School system. He also publishes and writes “P.B. Solider,” an independently produced graphic novel series that chronicles the adventures of African-American computer hacker Nat Cummings.

Gifted recently reached out to Patch with news about the “All Black Affair” launch party for the latest installment of his graphic novel, “P.B.Soldier Episode 3.0: Seek and You Shall Find, Part 1.”

The public launch party is slated for Saturday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s (NJIT) facility at 100 Summit Street in Newark. RSVP must be made by Aug. 8 here.

The event will include book signings, real-time 3D printing and robotics stations, as well as a special dedication honoring the life and legacy of the late Carl Sharif, Newark’s well-known political power broker, mentor and community organizer who appears on the cover of the new book.

Gifted told Patch more about how Sharif’s legend influenced his creative process.

“Carl Sharif served as a mentor and father figure to me and few of my friends. As we developed the story, the main character needed a mentor and Sharif was the perfect choice because of the knowledge and wisdom he embedded in us… As he always stated, ‘We don't need permission to take back our community.’”

Read more about Sharif’s contributions to the community below.

• See related article: Newark Remembers Carl Sharif and ‘Mootsie’ Middleton

P.B. SOLDIER AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Here’s how Gifted describes his comic book and main character.

“P.B. Soldier is a comic book series based on a futuristic sci-fi adventure that follows a covert operative named Nat Cummings, who carries out missions for a secret government-funded paramilitary organization known only as The Establishment. Cummings is a sniper class agent specializing in hacking, hand-to-hand combat and stealth who one day is confronted with the stunning realization that his work might not be for the greater good when he falters and fails to complete a mission. Now he’s on a quest to learn the truth while coding an elaborate program to divest himself from The Establishment before becoming its next target.”

Learn more about the book here.

Gifted, a NJIT electrical engineering graduate, previously told Patch that he hopes P.B. Soldier will help to promote diversity and teach kids about Science, Technology Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.) programs.

Gifted, a two-time Glyph Comic Awards nominee and founder of the African-American-themed comic book festival “Khem Comic Fest,” stated that a lack of minority characters fueled his desire to inject more diversity in the world of comic books.

“As a robotics teacher, my goal has always been to close the digital divide by teaching STEM to African-American and Latin-American students,” Gifted said. “This comic is simply another vehicle with which to do that.”

Gifted told Patch that he wants readers to see themselves through the artwork of the book.

“It’s important for people to see themselves as heroes/sheroes,” Gifted said. “We want to aspire the leaders of tomorrow.”

• See related article: Black Comic Book Creator Hopes To Promote Diversity
• See related article: Khem Comic Fest 2017 Celebrates ‘People Of Color’ In Essex County

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

P.B. Soldier image used with permission; Carl Sharif YouTube screenshot