WEIRDO: A Black Nerd Experience
Joseph Watkins
Tony Weaver Jr. is on a mission. His goal? To encourage everyone, especially those who are Black and Brown, to embrace their weirdness. Whether you're nerdy, awkward, or just an outright otaku, his story serves as both a personal journey and a cautionary tale. Being in the wrong environment can lead to bullying, isolation, or even death—whereas being in the correct one can result in the blossoming of one’s creativity, individuality, and spiritual energy.
In Tony Weaver Jr.'s mangaWEIRDO, his life, struggles, and rise to Super Saiyan embody the saying, 'It takes a village...' as those around him pour their spirit and love into him—someone whom society has deemed an outcast, by both the melanated and non-melanated communities.
Here, we witness the origin story of pop culture’s most famous Blerd. WEIRDO, for some, is the story of a Black nerd finding his "light"—his identity in the world that tried to extinguish his flame. For others, it’s a beacon of hope illustrating the power of embracing one's uniqueness and creating spaces where differences are celebrated.
In the beginning, we are introduced to an NPC-like version of the famed protagonist. As he navigates the perils of middle school, he struggles to find his footing within the famed halls of Chambers Academy. Although he's enrolled in the High Achievers program (salute), his quest to "find his tribe" becomes a tormenting journey as he endures bullying, social media ridicule, and even a failed attempt to dim his own light. His descent into depression is vividly portrayed through the changing color palettes led by Jes and Cin Wibowo, twin illustrators/writers of the graphic novel, Lunar Boy.
Here, our once cheerfully multicolored and vibrant hero is reduced to a singular black-gloss layout, with a white scribbled sketch of his former self. Empty, hollow, and alone..... it was here, I paused reading, placed the book down, cried, and found the courage to continue.....his pain became my pain.
At his lowest point, however, he is rescued by a series of 'lifelines' in the form of family, friends, and mental health professionals. His environment also evolves as he finds himself in an ecosystem where he connects with like-minded individuals—fellow Black and Brown creatives, each equipped with their own quirks, abilities, and personal traumas.
For Tony, his journey extends far beyond the pages of WEIRDO. For those who follow his social media presence and have seen his videos and posts tackling racism, media misogyny, and various forms of discrimination against minority groups in pop culture, he pushes back, battles, and dominates with his words of wisdom for the 'ignorant'... GO TO THERAPY!!! He’s been on the receiving end of social media ridicule, and he’s making sure no one else experiences the same feelings and emotions that almost ended his life.
To the world, he is our own physical and digital Kal-El—Tony Weaver Jr.: Superman.
His work also extends a thank you to the mediums that shaped his life—the magical card games, the 'sacred texts,' and even some of the anime that helped spark and sustain his personal journey. While multiple 'Easter eggs' and anime themes/shows are laced throughout the panels, one theme stands out and deserves special attention, resonating both inside and outside the pages of WEIRDO: The Power of Community.
In the sacred text, he emphasizes the importance of finding communities that not only understand the struggles of being a nerd, weirdo, or otaku, but also support and uplift one another's spirits.
Additionally, in these communities, they provide a safe space where they can fully express their passions, embrace their quirks, and find acceptance without judgment. By connecting with others who share similar experiences, individuals are not only able to navigate the challenges of being "different," but also tap into an oasis of creativity, resilience, and positive energy.
The support and understanding of communities that parallel Tony’s enable their members to transform feelings of isolation into empowerment, allowing them to thrive in both their personal and creative endeavors. This is evident as we see Tony evolve from an NPC (non-playable character) to a hero of his own story saving both himself and his village in their time of need.
In conclusion, being a WEIRDO isn’t just a label—it’s a badge of honor. Tony’s journey through the pages of the same name demonstrates that embracing your quirks and finding community can transform isolation and fear into encouragement; supporting each other through life’s challenges, cosplay discrimination, and negative social media judgement. Whether one is weird, or otherwise, Tony’s contribution to Blerd Culture with WEIRDO has created a space where being different is celebrated, and everyone can become the hero of their own story.
In Tony’s village, no one is left to battle their demons—whether physical or digital—alone.
RESPECT.
