This Black History Month, Tulane Libraries invites you to explore new dimensions of Black creativity through "Outta This World: Black Sci-Fi, Horror, and Futurism," a curated book display celebrating the rich tradition of speculative storytelling from the African diaspora.

The display features a dynamic collection spanning science fiction, fantasy, horror, and Afrofuturist works that challenge conventional narratives and reimagine possibilities for Black identity, culture, and futures.

Featured Selections

Joplin's Ghost is a supernatural novel by Tananarive Due that blends horror, romance, and historical fiction, following R&B singer Phoenix Smalls as she is haunted by the ghost of ragtime composer Scott Joplin, who seeks to continue his legacy through her, forcing her to confront his tragic past and her own artistic future. The story explores themes of creativity, racism, and the struggle for artistic integrity.

Black Panther #1 by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2016) launches the groundbreaking "A Nation Under Our Feet" storyline, in which T'Challa confronts violent extremism and political upheaval that threaten Wakanda's monarchy. This critically acclaimed run redefined the superhero narrative, centering questions of leadership, governance, and the complexities of power.

Janelle Monáe's Queer Afrofuturism: Defying Every Label by Dan Hassler-Forest examines one of the twenty-first century's most fascinating artists. This provocative study explores how Monáe's work from albums like The ArchAndroid and Dirty Computer to films like Hidden Figures and Antebellum, reshapes discourse around race, gender, sexuality, and capitalism, imagining Afrofuturist and postcapitalist futures while remaining grounded in Black women's lived realities.

The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin transports readers to a world where gods and mortals collide in deadly political intrigue. Following Yeine Darr's navigation of a treacherous power struggle for the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, this fantasy series has captivated readers with its imaginative world-building and complex exploration of divinity and mortality.

In the Black Fantastic by Ekow Eshun presents a richly illustrated exploration of Black art and culture through myth, fantasy, and speculative fiction. Created to accompany the Hayward Gallery exhibition in London, this book showcases how artists from the African diaspora draw on African-originated knowledge systems, folklore, and spiritual traditions to move beyond Western narratives and reimagine race, gender, and identity. The book brings together work by such leading artists as Kara Walker, Chris Ofili, and Ellen Gallagher; explores the groundbreaking films Black Panther and Get Out.

The display is available throughout February at Tulane Libraries. Students, faculty, and community members are encouraged to visit and explore these extraordinary works.

For more information about the display or to request specific titles, contact Tulane Libraries at library@tulane.edu.