James Spooner
James Spooner 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.
Early life and education
James Spooner was born in 1976 in Jersey City, New Jersey. His father, of Saint Lucian descent, was a professional bodybuilder and former Mr. America, while his mother was a special education teacher.He grew up in Apple Valley, California and later in New York City. He attended Apple Valley High School and later LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.
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.
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.He also worked as a host at On!, a late-night event in New York City.
In 2021, he appeared in the Broad’s documentary series Time Decorated: The Musical Influences of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Film & Afropunk movement
Spooner directed Afro-Punk, a documentary exploring race, identity, and punk subculture among Black Americans. The film premiered at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival. In the spirit of DIY principles, Spooner toured the film extensively, screening it over 300 times at colleges and festivals across the U.S.Following the documentary, Spooner co-founded the Afropunk Festival in 2005 with Matthew Morgan in Brooklyn. The festival expanded internationally, with editions in Atlanta, London, Paris, and Johannesburg.
In 2008, Spooner departed from the festival, citing philosophical and creative differences over its evolving direction.
He also directed the narrative film White Lies, Black Sheep, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Writing & graphic novel work
In 2022, Spooner published his first graphic memoir, The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere. ''The Washington Post'' named it among the "10 Best Graphic Novels of 2022." The memoir explores themes of identity, alienation, race, and the formative influence of punk culture in Spooner’s adolescence.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, while The Comics Journal praised its exploration of alienation and identity. ComicsBeat described the book as “an absolutely gorgeous memoir.”Spooner also co-edited the anthology Black Punk Now with Chris L. Terry.