Last month, DC Comics announced the beginning of their new initiative aimed at helping Black and other underrepresented creators succeed in the comic book world.
Known as “the Milestone Initiative,” the 10-week program gives the winners the ability to work with a mentor to bring their ideas to life. They’ll also be able to meet other prominent creators and, after they’re done creating the work, will be aided in their next projects.
The program is a tribute to Milestone Comics, the first diverse universe of superheroes that developed from the minds of four Black creators who were angered by the lack of Black creators in mainstream comic companies. “The Milestone Initiative” was made to continue their work and add more representation to comic books. The program acknowledges that the best people to tell these stories are the people who are being excluded from the comic book world.
While steps are being taken, there are still more efforts to be made to diversify the comic book world.
To help support Black comic creators, here are five comic series available to read.
Bitter Root: Made by David F. Walker and Sanford Greene, the creators of Power Man and Iron Fist, along with writer Chuck Brown, the story is set in the 1920s during the Harlem Renaissance. A family of monster hunters, the Sangeryes, must come together to save the human race from turning into creatures driven by the prejudice of the time. The comic book series, now being adapted into a film, is a comment on systemic racism, family and responsibility. To read it, the creators of Bitter Root offer the first edition online for free on Image Comics. The other editions are available on Amazon for $19.99.
Prince of Cats: Based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” this comic places Tybalt, also known as “the Prince of Cats,” front and center in the 1980s Brooklyn hip-hop scene. Created by artist Ronald Wimberly, the story follows Tybalt as he leads the Capulets throughout multiple street battles against the Montagues. The comic book is an eclectic mix of a futuristic 1980s Brooklyn scene, Shakespeare language and samurai fighting. In 2019, it was announced that it was also being adapted with Spike Lee attached as the director. The comic books are available in print at Barnes & Noble for $17.99 or online at Google Books for $13.99.
Is’nana the Were-Spider: Created by writer Greg Anderson Elysee, the comic draws on Elysee’s Haitian roots and African folklore. In the story, the child of Anansi, the Akan spider god who’s known for his tricks, needs to battle villains from another world after he mistakenly allows them access from their world to this world. Is’nana goes through his own personal journey and tries to find himself as he goes through his mission with help from his father. To read it, the books are available on Amazon for $27.35.
Hawi: Created by Beserat Debebe, the comic brings together superhero, Ement Legesse, and Ethiopian history after a visit to the country starts a search for her mother’s kidnapper and a discovery of the past. Praised as the comic that features Ethiopia’s first woman superhero, the comic’s story is heavily inspired by Queen Gudit, otherwise known as Queen Yodit, who led Ethiopia in 10 A.D. Debebe is the creator of other series, including Jember and Zufan. Physical copies of his comic books are available on the Etan Comics site for $9.99 each.
Excellence: Made by illustrator Khary Randolph and writer Brandon Thomas, the comic follows Spencer Dales, the son of a magician and a magician himself. His father is part of the Aegis, an underground group of Black magicians whose purpose is to better the world. When it comes time for Spencer to join, he realizes that there are issues inside the group, unintentionally starting a war between the group and himself. The comic features pop culture references and commentary on social justice issues. The first issue is available to read online on the Image Comics’ website. The other volumes are available on Amazon for $14.99 each.
