“So how cool is it that through animation you can re-create that apartment — 17C — and show that this family, three generations later, still lives in 17C?”
— Ranada Shepard, executive producer and showrunner of Netflix’s Good Times.
J.J. Evans: The Art of Comics and a Billion-Dollar Legacy
We all remember J.J. as the Dyno-Mite character who brought endless laughs and energy to the Evans family on Good Times. But after the series ended, J.J. didn’t just fade into the background. He built an empire — an empire that fused his artistic passion with his love for storytelling, and in doing so, became one of the most iconic figures in both the comic book and art worlds.
The Creation of Dyno-Woman
It all started with Dyno-Woman, a character that was near and dear to J.J.’s heart. Modeled after his sister Thelma, Dyno-Woman was a superhero who represented strength, beauty, and perseverance. When J.J. pitched Dyno-Woman to a comic book publisher, they recognized her potential immediately. They bought the rights, and J.J. walked away with a healthy check that would change his life forever.
But Dyno-Woman was more than just a sale. She became an instant hit among inner-city youth. Kids looked up to her. She was someone who fought for justice, while staying true to her roots. Soon, Dyno-Woman merch exploded in popularity. From action figures to backpacks, lunchboxes, and posters, her image was everywhere. So much so, that Dyno-Woman merchandise eventually surpassed annual sales of top Marvel and DC characters, making her one of the most popular comic book characters of the era.
J.J.’s Passion for Painting
With the money from the Dyno-Woman sale, J.J. was finally able to pursue his true passion: canvas painting. Over the course of a year, he created 72 original paintings, drawing inspiration from his muse, Chicago news anchorwoman Tonya Jones, who would later become the love of his life.
His paintings were bold, striking, and full of life. Much like his comic book creations, J.J.’s artwork told stories — stories of the Black experience in America, stories of joy, pain, and triumph. His works captured the attention of the art world, with collectors and critics alike praising his unique perspective.
Enter Sweet Daddy
As Dyno-Woman continued to soar in popularity, J.J.’s old nemesis turned supporter, Marion “Sweet Daddy” Williams, re-entered the picture. Sweet Daddy, ever the opportunist, convinced J.J. to start his own comic book publishing company. He even offered to bankroll the venture with a cool $35,000. J.J., recognizing the potential, took him up on the offer and launched J&F Publishing, named after his parents, James Sr. and Florida Evans.
Under J&F Publishing, J.J. created a series of new characters, including the top-selling Kid Dynomite. With only a limited print run of 2,500 copies of Kid Dynomite Issue #1, each comic cover was personally signed by J.J. and included an original sketch. Today, only 302 copies of that first edition are known to exist, making it one of the most sought-after comic books in history.
Hollywood Comes Calling
It wasn’t long before Hollywood came knocking. J.J. was approached by an up-and-coming producer named Mike Marsili, who wanted to license one of J.J.’s paintings, Pool Shark, for a film starring none other than Richard Pryor. The movie was a hit, and at the wrap party, Pool Shark was auctioned off for a jaw-dropping $380,000. That sale was just the beginning of J.J.’s meteoric rise in the art world.
A Record-Breaking Exhibition
The buzz surrounding the auction propelled J.J. into the upper echelons of the art scene. He was soon invited to hold his own exhibition in Chicago. The event was a celebration of J.J.’s artistic
genius, with all of Black Hollywood showing up in support. The night was a historic one. The auction house raked in a staggering $15.9 million, with J.J.’s signature piece, Black Jesus, selling for $3.3 million to businessman Reginald Lewis.
The entire Evans family was there to witness the event: Michael, Thelma, Florida, Willona, Penny, and Keith. It was a night that cemented J.J. Evans as not just a comic book creator, but as a world-class artist.
A Family Milestone
Sadly, six months after the exhibition, the family lost their beloved matriarch, Florida Evans. But not before she got to hear the news of J.J.’s engagement to Tonya Jones, the Chicago news anchor who had been his biggest supporter. Florida, always looking out for her children, made sure J.J.’s future was secure in more ways than one.
With the help of Michael Evans, now a successful lawyer, Florida had managed to secure the rights to Dyno-Woman back to J.J. in secret. What none of them knew was that Marion “Sweet Daddy” Williams had played a major role behind the scenes. Using his underworld connections, Sweet Daddy convinced the original publisher to return the rights, knowing that he stood to gain from his 10% stake in J&F Publishing.
The Team-Up of the Century
With the rights to Dyno-Woman securely back in his hands, J.J. was ready to make history. The comic book world had been eagerly awaiting the team-up of Dyno-Woman and Kid Dynomite, and in their first crossover, Team Dyno #1 was released. It was the first independent comic to be shipped in a sealed polybag, with 1 in every 50,000 copies featuring an original sketch by J.J. himself. Collectors estimated that a signed copy of Team Dyno #1 with the sketch could fetch upwards of $70,000 at auction.
A Billion-Dollar Empire
Through his lawyer brother, Michael, J.J. was able to buy out Sweet Daddy’s 10% stake in J&F Publishing for $7 million. Sweet Daddy, meanwhile, went on to become one of Chicago’s most respected real estate developers, building affordable housing for low-income families — a legacy of giving back that was inspired by the Evans family.
J.J.’s publishing empire continued to grow, with the Kid Dynomite comic book series reaching astronomical sales figures. Kid Dynomite went on to become a blockbuster movie trilogy, taking in more than $4 billion at the box office. And with the comic book world firmly under his control, J.J. was ready for his next big step: marriage.
A Family Affair
J.J. and Tonya Jones’s wedding was a small, intimate affair, shared with close family and friends. Michael was J.J.’s best man, and Thelma, who had always been J.J.’s inspiration, served as maid
of honor. In a touching twist, Thelma and her husband, Keith, paid for the entire wedding. Keith, never forgetting how J.J. had risked everything to help his sister have her dream wedding, saw this as his way of giving back.
Breaking Records and Leaving a Legacy
As J.J.’s art continued to break records at auction, his net worth skyrocketed. (Fun Fact: Michael and Thelma own three of J.J.’s paintings, which they bought for $10 each. J.J. insisted on giving them away, but his father’s lessons about earning one’s keep made them insist on paying!)
The Legacy of J.J. Evans
Today, J.J. Evans is more than just a name. He is a billion-dollar brand, an icon in the art world, and a philanthropist who, along with his wife Tonya, gives back to inner-city youth and small businesses across the country. With a net worth of $9.5 billion, J.J. has built a legacy that goes far beyond the Chicago projects — a legacy that embodies the resilience, creativity, and values instilled in him by his parents, Florida and James Sr.
Fun Facts
A 9.8 CGC copy of Kid Dynomite Issue #1 recently sold for $307,416 at auction, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a Copper Age comic book.
James Evans Jr. holds the record for the most expensive painting by an American artist, with his piece Cabrini-Green Summer selling for $281,974,197 to David Steward.
“My hustle is writing-I am a writer!”
-Michael Corey Emanuel
