James Spooner

James Spooner
Spooner in [add context if known, e.g. at event]
Born1976 (age 48–49)[1]
Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.[1]
Occupations
  • Film director
  • Tattoo artist
  • Graphic novelist
PartnerLisa Nola[1]
Websitespoonersnofun.com

James Spooner (born 1976) is an American film director, tattoo artist, and graphic novelist. He is best known for directing the 2003 documentary Afro-Punk, co-founding the annual Afropunk Festival, and authoring the graphic memoir The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere (2022).[2][3]

Early life and education

James Spooner was born in 1976 in Jersey City, New Jersey.[1] His father, of Saint Lucian descent, was a professional bodybuilder and former Mr. America, while his mother was a special education teacher.[1]

He grew up in Apple Valley, California and later in New York City.[4][5] He attended Apple Valley High School and later LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.[6]

In his youth, Spooner was drawn to punk rock—listening to bands like the Sex Pistols, Black Flag, and Misfits—and started exploring the subculture at a young age.[7]

Career

Early artistic & musical ventures

Spooner founded the record label Kidney Room Records, which released several records including Frail’s Idle Hands Hold Nothing, a split single by Elements of Need and Jasmine, and a single from Swing Kids.[8]

He also worked as a host at On!, a late-night event in New York City.[9]

In 2021, he appeared in the Broad’s documentary series Time Decorated: The Musical Influences of Jean-Michel Basquiat.[10]

Film & Afropunk movement

Spooner directed Afro-Punk (2003), a documentary exploring race, identity, and punk subculture among Black Americans. The film premiered at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival.[11][12] In the spirit of DIY principles, Spooner toured the film extensively, screening it over 300 times at colleges and festivals across the U.S.[13]

Following the documentary, Spooner co-founded the Afropunk Festival in 2005 with Matthew Morgan in Brooklyn.[14][15] The festival expanded internationally, with editions in Atlanta, London, Paris, and Johannesburg.[16]

In 2008, Spooner departed from the festival, citing philosophical and creative differences over its evolving direction.[17][18]

He also directed the narrative film White Lies, Black Sheep (2007), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.[19][20]

Writing & graphic novel work

In 2022, Spooner published his first graphic memoir, The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere.[21][22] The Washington Post named it among the "10 Best Graphic Novels of 2022."[23] The memoir explores themes of identity, alienation, race, and the formative influence of punk culture in Spooner’s adolescence.[24][25]

Reception

The High Desert received positive reviews from both mainstream and comics-focused outlets. The Los Angeles Times highlighted its depiction of cross-racial experiences in California and New York,[26] while The Comics Journal praised its exploration of alienation and identity.[27] ComicsBeat described the book as “an absolutely gorgeous memoir.”[28]

Spooner also co-edited the anthology Black Punk Now (2023) with Chris L. Terry.[29][30]

Personal life

Spooner practices a vegan lifestyle and is known for pioneering vegan-friendly tattoo methods at his tattoo studio, Monocle Tattoo.[31] He lives in Los Angeles with his partner, Lisa Nola, and his daughter.[1]

Filmography

Feature films

Year Title Director Writer Producer Cinematographer Editor
2003 Afro-Punk yes no yes yes yes
2007 White Lies, Black Sheep yes yes yes no yes

Publications

Books

Title Year Notes
The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere. 2022 Graphic memoir
Black Punk Now (co-edited with Chris L. Terry) 2023 Anthology of essays and stories

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Nwangwa, Shirley Ngozi (June 18, 2022). "An Illustrated Life". Departures. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  2. ^ Boyer, Maurice (April 20, 2022). "Afropunk Goes Graphic Memoir: 'PW' Talks with James Spooner". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  3. ^ Ogbunu, C. Brandon (June 17, 2022). "Afropunk pioneer James Spooner explores 'The High Desert' of his origins". Andscape. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  4. ^ Yu, Mallory (May 31, 2022). "New graphic memoir shows how punk rock helped a young Black man find his identity". NPR. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  5. ^ Britt, Bruce (August 25, 2022). "The graphic memoir of an Apple Valley 'Afro-Punk' mirrors cross-racial journeys like mine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  6. ^ "06 James Spooner – Tattoo Artist / Afropunk Founder / Filmmaker / Cartoonist". Killed by Desk. November 3, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  7. ^ "How Afropunk Became a Full-Blown Movement". Racked. August 20, 2015. Archived from the original on June 29, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  8. ^ Kendrick, Monica (August 7, 2003). "Music Notes: say it proud—I'm black and I'm loud". Chicago Reader. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  9. ^ Owen, Frank (June 1, 1999). "Followers of Fashion". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  10. ^ Ray, Lexis-Olivier (March 2, 2021). "How Music Steered the Art of Jean-Michel Basquiat". Hyperallergic. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  11. ^ Tillson, Tamsen (August 14, 2003). "Toronto fest clocks 'Time' world preem". Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  12. ^ Harvey, Dennis (September 18, 2003). "Afro-Punk: The 'Rock N Roll Nigger' Experience". Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  13. ^ Brown, August (July 9, 2006). "Outsiders, not entirely by choice". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  14. ^ Maloney, Devon (August 21, 2013). "Afropunk Started With a Documentary. Ten Years, Two Websites, and Eight Festivals Later..." The Village Voice. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  15. ^ Giorgis, Hannah (August 26, 2015). "Gentrifying Afropunk". The New Yorker. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  16. ^ Holley, Santi Elijah (August 15, 2019). "'We still need to be seen': behind the rise of black punk culture". The Guardian. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  17. ^ "Looking for the Punk That's Gone Missing from Afropunk". Nylon. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  18. ^ Josephs, Brian (August 17, 2015). "Is Afropunk Fest No Longer Punk?". Vice. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  19. ^ Tillson, Tamsen (August 15, 2007). "Toronto sets international debuts". Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  20. ^ Harvey, Dennis (September 18, 2007). "White Lies, Black Sheep". Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  21. ^ Reid, Calvin (May 4, 2022). "Panel Mania: The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere. by James Spooner". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  22. ^ Britt, Bruce (August 25, 2022). "The graphic memoir of an Apple Valley 'Afro-Punk' mirrors cross-racial journeys like mine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  23. ^ Cavna, Michael (November 17, 2022). "The 10 best graphic novels of 2022". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  24. ^ Brown, Kevin (April 30, 2024). "The High Desert review". The Comics Journal. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  25. ^ "Graphic Novel Review: The High Desert is an absolutely gorgeous memoir". ComicsBeat. June 10, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  26. ^ Britt, Bruce (August 25, 2022). "The graphic memoir of an Apple Valley 'Afro-Punk' mirrors cross-racial journeys like mine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  27. ^ Brown, Kevin (April 30, 2024). "The High Desert review". The Comics Journal. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  28. ^ "Graphic Novel Review: The High Desert is an absolutely gorgeous memoir". ComicsBeat. June 10, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  29. ^ "Black Punk Now". Soft Skull Press. December 14, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  30. ^ "Black Punk Now — Beyond Bad Brains: An Interview with James Spooner and Chris L. Terry". Air/Light Magazine. Air/Light Magazine. September 20, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  31. ^ Scardelli, Larell (September 6, 2016). "Did Your Tattoo Come With A Hidden Side Of Animal Suffering?". Rodale's Organic Life. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
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