Nilah Magruder is an award-winning American writer, illustrator, comic creator, and storyboard artist whose work spans children’s literature, comics, and animation. Originally from Pasadena, Maryland, she holds a B.A. in Communication from Hood College and a B.F.A. in Computer Animation from Ringling College of Art and Design.
Magruder first gained widespread attention with her webcomic M.F.K., a sweeping desert fantasy adventure that won the inaugural Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics in 2015. The series was later published in print by Insight Comics in 2017. In 2016, she made history as the first Black woman to write for Marvel Comics, contributing the story “Girls Rule the World” to A Year of Marvels: September Infinite Comic #1, featuring Rocket Raccoon and Tippy-Toe.
Her work in children’s publishing includes the picture books How to Find a Fox, a playful guide to spotting a clever fox, and Wutaryoo, a thoughtful exploration of identity and belonging. She has also contributed to anthologies such as All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages, and her short fiction has appeared in outlets like Fireside and FIYAH.
In animation, Magruder has worked as a storyboard artist for major studios, including DreamWorks, Disney Television Animation, and others. Her illustration and storytelling skills have also been sought by publishers like Scholastic, Penguin Random House, Boom! Studios, and Disney-Hyperion.
In 2025, she illustrated and co-wrote the middle-grade graphic novel Creaky Acres with Calista Brill. The book follows a young equestrian navigating change, friendship, and growth in a rural town. Magruder’s art brought authenticity and dynamic movement to the equestrian scenes while also contributing to nuanced themes of class, race, and community.
Outside of her creative work, Magruder enjoys baking, gardening, and caring for a lively household of cats, dogs, and chickens.
