The success of the films developed from comics over the last ten years has created a huge interest in comics with the potential to become successful films. And with the phenomenal success of Black Panther, it would not be inconceivable for DC to be looking into its not unimpressive back catalogue of black characters for movie hits.
This is not to knock Marvel, which I grew up reading, but the fact is that in this area, DC has far outstripped Marvel with a pretty impressive array of black super characters. But even this fact was lost on me for a long time as someone growing up in the UK, where strangely, these comics were more difficult to find. But in the USA they have been able to enjoy superheroes of colour for nearly twenty years.
It’s with this in mind that I want to give a shout out to some of the black graphic novels that I think should get some love here and elsewhere.
1. Bitter Root, Vol 1 - David F Walker
The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s is renowned for the explosion of African Diaspora arts and music which drew people from all over the country. Bitter Root is set in this particular moment of black creativity in US history, juxtaposing events in Harlem with the horrific attacks on black communities in the southern states.
Add to this a horde of demons feeding on the racial hatred and violence, sprinkle with the infighting of a dysfunctional family of monster hunters and you have Bitter Root, a great tale of family feuds, racial politics and supernatural malevolence. What’s not to like?
2. Black - Kwanza Osajyefo
Osajyefo's Black reflects what many of us who grew up on comics felt; where am I? But he delivered on that question with a brilliant one; In a world encumbered with hatred and bias, what if the only people with superpowers were Black? Then he delivers brilliantly on that.
Beginning with the unlawful shooting of a young man by police officers, Black touches on aspects of fear and loathing, not just in Las Vegas but of black people everywhere (see what I did there?). The young victim survives the shooting and, as a result, stumbles upon the biggest lie in history, one that people are willing to kill to keep secret.
3. Black Sands- The Seven Kingdoms Vol 1
Black sands follows the epic adventures of the young Prince Ausar as he and his friends are caught in the middle of a battle between the seven kingdoms. Ausar sets out to prove that he is worthy to become the Pharoah and he and his friends find themselves in conflict with gods and man alike.
Through great graphics and story, this series brings to life a time of ancient kingdoms and long-lost civilizations. The authentic depiction of people of the time is a testament to the attention to detail of the series creator.
If you haven’t got it already this is a highly recommended addition to your collection!
4. Val-Mar, Gifted, and Cursed, No.1 - Gray Williamson
When the God-King of paradise is murdered, his son is cast out of the realm and lands in New York’s Times Square. Here he faces a desperate fight for survival and to find out the truth of what happened.
Williamson has not stuck to traditional comic book format here but it works so well you don’t care. The artwork is excellent. Dialogue is minimalistic, which makes the weight of every word that much more significant. Published over five years ago, it is not exactly new but it may be new to some of you so check it out.
5. (H)Afrocentric - Juliana Smith
(H)afrocentric will ring true for some of us, although not all. It features the trials and tribulations of people navigating their years at university. It will definitely resonate with those who have experienced life on an apparently progressive, but not-so-much, university campus.
Our hero, Naima Pepper, is an outspoken radical Black activist while her brother, Miles Pepper, is pretty apathetic in the face of everything that is going on. The central theme relates to the dynamic nature of identity and our understanding of who we are.
6. Excellence, Kill the Past, Vol 1 - Brandon Thomas
Spencer Dale’s father belongs to a secret group of black sorcerers who have dedicated themselves to aiding the deserving people in their community in order for them to achieve their potential. Late to his power and at odds with his father, Spencer thinks the old ways are outmoded and need changing.
Mix an intergenerational conflict with some magic and race politics and what have you got? An excellent character-driven graphic novel with some outstanding artwork. If you see it, grab it.
7. Kwezi, Issue 1-3 - Loyiso Mkize
A young man, Kwezi, discovers he has superhuman abilities. And, like any young man his age, he uses them to bolster his social status. But one day he is approached by three people with similar powers.
Kwezi is faced with a choice; continue as the superpowered but feckless loafer concerned only with his own self-aggrandizement or serve a higher cause and try to find out what his true purpose in life is.
Set in the fictional Gold City, Kwesi delivers nicely on its South African contemporary roots and the mythological traditions of Africa.
8. The Wilds (1-5) - Vita Ayala
The Wilds is the story of Daisy, a messenger, delivering goods and people between outposts in a post-apocalyptic landscape.
Outside the outposts, there are there still remains remnants of the ‘old’ world worth scavenging, as long as you are willing to contend with wild animals, dangerously dilapidated buildings and abominations – people who have been affected by a plague that has wiped out much of the global population.
A ten-year veteran, Daisy is an expert at navigating the wilds. But when her lover goes missing she finds she has to venture deeper into the wilds and also navigate the dangers of life within the outposts themselves.
9. The Antagonists – Tyler Martin
The Antagonists are a married super-powered couple who have decided to retire after achieving their ambitious global takeover. Settled into domesticity to raise their superpowered children, both deal with everyday issues of parenting and racism in quite different ways.
Calvin Eval’s cool-headed approach is the opposite of his wife, Tonya’s, way of dealing with things. When she says you’re toast, you literally are toast.
Working in the corporate world Tonya Eval faces the double problem of sexism and racism while her husband, Calvin, a high school principal, faces the challenge of dealing with a problem child – his superpowered daughter.
10. Tatashe, #1 - Cassandra Mark
Set in a fictional universe, this graphic novel recounts the adventures of Tatashe and her pet dragon. Tatashe battles strange creatures, as she goes in search of a mystical place called Eden and her long-lost mentor and teacher.
Replete with Nigerian pidgin slang and references to African food, this comic will make your ears sing and your mouth water.
11. NIOBE: She is Life #1 - Sabastian A. Jones
Niobe Ayutami is an orphaned wild elf teenager and the potential savior of the unstable land of Asunda. But she is on the run, from a prophecy that weighs too heavily on her young shoulders and the devil himself who will do everything possible to stop her from fulfilling her destiny.
But, as they say, you can’t outrun who you are and whilst hiding among her mother’s people Niobe finds herself drawn into an increasing spiral of violence. As tensions and conflicts heat up she is faced with the inevitability of a war that will tear apart the whole nation.
12. Killadelphia, Vol.1: Sins of the Father - Rodney Barnes
When small-town beat cop, James Sangster, returns to Philadelphia to bury his much-admired father, Detective James Sangster Snr, he finds much more than he bargained for.
His hometown has become a run-down slum riddled with soaring crime and higher corruption. And then there’s the problem of the vampires! For those who like a touch of the ghetto gothic, this is right up your street. Just make sure it’s a well-lit street.
13. JAYCEN WISE – Uraeus (Richard G Tyler II)
Jaycen wise is an African immortal who has dedicated his life to knowledge and justice. He reclaims stolen treasures of antiquity to return them to their sacred places and original owners.
Wise uses not only knowledge that extends over thousands of years but also access to the memories of his ancestors to outsmart his enemies.
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