Reading is FUNdamental
Reflecting on this article I came to the realization that I have experienced the growth of Negro History week into Black History Month, the introduction of Black characters into mainstream comic books and the development of Black comic book writers during my six decades of life. In the beginning, there was all whiteness. When I began reading comic books in 1964, I had zero Black superheroes in comics, television, and movies. The Black writers I read in elementary and Jr High School were mainly poets like Dunbar and Hughes then it became Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin and Sam Greenlee At that time there were only a handful of Black characters so you know there were no Black comic book writers.
When Christopher Priest was hired as the first African-American writer-editor to work for a mainstream American comic book publisher (Marvel) in 1979, I was married and into my 1st career life causing my interest in comic books to be focused on what I read – no new titles. I am happy to have so many choices now. This blog features the mainstream Black comic book writers that I am currently reading or have recently read their works. I am working on a separate blog post to highlight the independent Black writers that I am supporting. Checkout my YouTube channel – The Original Black Nerd for story breakdowns of current comic book storylines.
John Ridley
Future State The Next Batman #3
Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale Date: February 02, 2021
The adventures of the next Batman continue! Batman has captured a pair of murderous fugitives, but he faces a tough decision: leave them for the Magistrate troops, which means certain death, or risk his life and fight his way through Gotham City to deliver them to the GCPD for trial. He’s Batman…so there’s only one choice!
And in “Outsiders,” Katana has reunited with Black Lightning, but her old friend and ally has changed…big time! Now composed of literal black lightning, Jefferson Pierce arrives with a dire warning about Duke Thomas and his mission to liberate Gotham from the oppression of the Magistrate. They’ll have to work together—and we really mean together—to have any hope of defeating the forces working against them!
Other History of the DC Universe #3
Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale Date: March 30, 2021
1983 Japan. Tatsu Yamashiro’s life has been taken from her. Her home, her children, her husband are all gone. With nothing left but a burning pain and the sword that stole her family from her, Tatsu begins a long journey of healing, self-discovery, agency, and rebirth. This is the story of Tatsu Yamashiro, the woman known to many as Katana’s hero who became more than the world ever intended for her, ultimately making a family of like-minded Outsiders who rally together for the common good amidst xenophobia and oppression. The long-awaited miniseries written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Let It Fall) and beautifully illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Andrea Cucchi continues to look at the mythology of the DC Universe as seen through the prism of DC Super Heroes who come from traditionally disenfranchised groups
Far Sector #10
Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale Date: February 02, 2021
N.K. Jemisin
Christopher Priest
Vampirella #17
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
On Sale Date: February 10, 2021
Vampirella #17 ‘1969’ As Vampirella searches for a way to return to Drakulon in order to save her mother, she reflects on her first days on Earth as a newly arrived extraterrestrial lost in a bustling New York City, where she becomes the target of predators both human and supernatural and finds her first friend– a mysterious young woman who can transform herself into a Panther.
Sacred Six #7
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
On Sale Date: February 17, 2021
Our second story arc begins with our women of the evening, having lost the woman who’d drawn hem together, Lilith of Drakulon, but discovering a new and more powerful incentive to stay and defend the peaceful vampires of Ashthorne: cold, hard cash. Plus the non-team gets one and one-half new recruits-and they don’t even realize it! Bonus: our new Chastity microseries, drawn by fan favorite artist Stephane Roux begins here!
L. L. McKinney
Nubia: Real One
On sale February 2, 2021
Can you be a hero…if society doesn’t see you as a person?
Nubia has always been a little bit…different. As a baby she showcased Amazonian strength by pushing over a tree to rescue her neighbor’s cat. But, despite Nubia’s similar abilities, the world has no problem telling her that she’s no Wonder Woman. And even if she was, they wouldn’t want her. Every time she comes to the rescue, she’s reminded of how people see her: as a threat. Her moms do their best to keep her safe, but Nubia can’t deny the fire within her, even if she’s a little awkward about it sometimes. Even if it means people assume the worst.
When Nubia’s best friend, Quisha, is threatened by a boy who thinks he owns the town, Nubia will risk it all––her safety, her home, and her crush on that cute kid in English class––to become the hero society tells her she isn’t.
From the witty and powerful voice behind A Blade So Black, L. L. McKinney, and with endearing and expressive art by Robyn Smith, comes a vital story for today about equality, identity, and kicking it with your squad.
Geoffrey Thorne
Truth & Justice #1
Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale Date: February 16, 2021
The DC Universe is synonymous with two words: Truth and Justice, and in the first issue of this new anthology series, Vixen takes center stage. Mari McCabe is many things: superhero, model, activist, but can she add godkiller to the list? Vixen teams up with Dr. Mist and Impala of the Global Guardians to face down an ancient deity thatâs taken over the body of a scientist investigating powerful magical artifacts. Vixen will need to dig deep and use all the abilities in the animal kingdom to face down this powerful primeval threat!
Green Lantern #1
Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale Date: April 06, 2021
As this new Green Lantern series begins, the newly formed United Planets and the Guardians of the Universe hold an intergalactic summit to decide who can best serve and protect the cosmos from danger. With the majority of Green Lanterns called back to Oa, John Stewart arrives alongside Teen Lantern Keli Quintela, whose powerful gauntlet could be one of the most powerful and unstable weapons in the universe. With the entire landscape of the universe in flux, is this the end of the Green Lantern Corps…or a new beginning
Rodney Barnes
Killadelphia #12
Publisher:Image Comics
On Sale Date: February 24, 2021
END OF STORY ARC! ‘BURN BABY BURN,’ Conclusion-The smash-hit series from RODNEY BARNES, the writer behind such hit shows as Marvel’s Runaways and STARZ’s American Gods, and JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER, the artist who redefined SPAWN, reaches its shocking second-arc conclusion! Jupiter and Abigail have decimated the city of brotherly love, and as their reign of terror reaches its climax, things look bleak for our heroes. If Philadelphia stands any chance of survival, James Sangster Sr. and son will have to reach out to the one person they’d never ally themselves with, or else no one will survive the night. But will that be enough to save them, or will the casualties continue
King in Black Planet of Symbiotes #3
Publisher: Marvel Comics
On Sale Date: March 10, 2021
A DARK SHADOW LOOMS OVER CLOAK AND DAGGER! PLUS: THE RETURN OF TOXIN! Rated T+
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Champions #4
Publisher: Marvel Comics
On Sale Date: February 17, 2021
Guest-Starring CYCLOPS and the MARAUDERS! Avast, ye! CHAMPIONS ON THE HIGH SEAS! NOVA, IRONHEART, MILES and MS. MARVEL have narrowly escaped C.R.A.D.L.E. for now with the help of their old teammate, but it’s out of the frying pan and into the…ocean. Rated T
Eve L Ewing
Brandon Thomas
Excellence #10
Publisher: Image Comics
On Sale Date: February 17, 2021
Spencer Dales: Agitator? As Raymond Dales is dragged into questioning by The Aegis, the only question on his mind: ‘What has my boy done now?’
Future State Aquaman #2
Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale Date: February 23, 2021
Andy Curry, daughter of Arthur and Mera, has had a pretty terrible month. Jackson Hyde, a.k.a. Aquaman, won’t stop calling her Aqualass when she’s told him a thousand times it’s Aquawoman. She’s manifested a new power that scares the absolute hell out of her. Oh, and she and Jackson just got ripped apart during a cosmic space ocean and she can’t find him anywhere! For the first time in her 14 years, Andy’s all alone and it’s going to take her wits, her will, and every single lesson Jackson ever taught her to survive.
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Captain America #27
Publisher: Marvel
On Sale Date: February 17, 2021
HOW CAPTAIN AMERICA GOT HIS MOJO BACK! Rated T+
Black Panther #23
Publisher: Marvel Comics
On Sale Date: February 24, 2021
THE POWER OF THE NAMELESS! The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda turned their legendary king into a slave. Now the king is restored – and after years of effort, the gates of the Empire will swing wide open as the Black Panther makes one final attempt to free the ranks of the Nameless across the five galaxies. Rated T+
Vita Ayala
New Mutants #16
Publisher: Marvel Comics
On Sale Date: February 24, 2021
TO BE REBORN… In the Wild Hunt, someone is looking for friends in all the wrong places. Someone else is missing without a trace. And plans which have long been in motion begin to unfurl. Rated T+ TO BE REBORN… In the Wild Hunt, someone is looking for friends in all the wrong places. Someone else is missing without a trace. And plans which have long been in motion begin to unfurl. Rated T+
James Bond #4
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
On Sale Date: March 11, 2020
Agent 007 is a loner, by nature. But finally, he accepts that he needs help. But will trusting someone else help his mission or lead to the deaths of innocents? By VITA AYALA (Morbius, Gamora), DANNY LORE (Queen Of Bad Dreams) and ERICA D’URSO (Captain Marvel).
Danny Lore
King in Black Captain America #1
Publisher: Marvel Comics
On Sale Date: March 03, 2021
Captain America is in a brutal battle to win the streets of Manhattan back from Knull’s forces, aided by the Winter Soldier and the Falcon but there’s a darkness inside Steve that he’s struggling to shake. Can his closest friends help him through, or will he succumb to the shadows? Danny Lore (IRONHEART 2020) and Mirko Colak (DEADPOOL, PUNISHER) join forces for a twisted and terrifying story at the heart of the war against Knull! Rated T+
Truth & Justice #3
Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale Date: April 20, 2021
What kind of man is John Constantine? Mage, con man, and a few other choice descriptors not fit to print but sometimes, he tries to be a good guy. When he tries to stop a young teenager from getting in deep with Papa Midnite, he is faced not just with the past as he would like to remember it, but with exactly the kind of wizard he really is. Can John help, or is he going to drive someone else into the very shadows he wanted to save them from?
Bryan Edward Hill
Chariot #1
Publisher: ARTISTS WRITERS & ARTISANS INC
On Sale Date: March 03, 2021
The Chariot was a Cold War-era secret government project to provide its star agent with a weapon unlike any other in the form of a supercharged muscle car. It sank into the ocean decades ago, and the agent along with it. Now, a petty criminal looking to reform his life has stumbled upon the Chariot, and he’s about to find out that the agent’s consciousness is still controlling it in this synthwave thriller.
Batman & the Outsiders Vol 03 the Demons Fire TPB
Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale Date: March 02, 2021
Ras al Ghul has had everything taken away from him. His League of Assassins, his power…even his family. All he has left is his mission to bend the world to his will and save it from itself. He’s more dangerous than ever, and it will take the combined full might of the Outsiders team to take him down! Did Batman choose the wrong allies to assemble to fight Ras? Or did those allies make a mistake in believing in Batman? It’s the concluding volume of the critically acclaimed series! Collects Batman and the Outsiders #13-17
Tartarus #10
Publisher: Image Comics
On Sale Date: March 17, 2021
END OF STORY ARC! ‘THREADING THE INFINITE’-Surka and Hisa must achieve the impossible, getting along, to perform a literal miracle: a return to Tartarus. Don’t miss this unforgettable second arc finale!
Johnnie Christmas
Bitter Root #11
Publisher: Image Comics
On Sale Date: March 24, 2021
NEW STORY ARC! 2020 Ringo Award-winning artist SANFORD GREENE and his co-creators/co-writers DAVID F. WALKER and CHUCK BROWN return in BITTER ROOT: LEGACY, the third arc of the Eisner and Ringo Award-winning series! As Earth is overrun by hideous creatures fueled by racism, a new evil force known as the Tree of Hate has literally taken root. The Sangerye family of monster hunters once again finds themselves divided, and fighting each other, as they confront their most dangerous threat ever. Family dysfunction meets steampunk during the Harlem Renaissance, and life on Earth will never be the same in BITTER ROOT: LEGACY!
David Walker
Kwanza Osajyefo
White #1
Publisher: Black Mask Comics
On Sale Date: April 14, 2021
The team that asked, ‘What if only Black people had superpowers?’ is back with the sequel to the critically acclaimed series, BLACK. It’s been three years since the world learned only Black people have superhuman abilities, and the United States has responded by electing Theodore Mann to the presidency. The only person standing in the way of his policies to control empowered Blacks are Kareem Jenkins and his allies. WHITE comics are limited to 2,500 copies each, grab them before they sell out!
