How DC Comics is celebrating Black History Month

DC honors Black creators and characters through a new collection of comics, books, and merchandise

How DC Comics is celebrating Black History Month

DC Comics is celebrating Black History Month this February by honoring the artistic expression and contributions of Black comic creators, artists, and characters through an incredible collection of comics, books, and merchandise, plus an initiative that aims to inspire a new generation of comic book professionals.

DC Black History Month comics and books

In collaboration with Milestone Comics, DC celebrates powerful Black superheroes in titles Static: Season One, Hardware Season One, and Icon and Rocket Season One, which are now available at participating comic book stores and digital platforms.

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DC also puts the limelight on Black creators and characters in comic books I Am Batman, penned by John Ridley; NAOMI Season Two, co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker, with art by Jamal Campbell; Nubia and the Amazons, by Stephanie Williams with art from Alitha Martinez; and Aquamen, by Chuck Brown, Brandon Thomas, Sami, Basri, and Adriano Lucas. Also available for purchase are the comics Green Lantern, by Geoffrey Thorne, Tom Raney, and Marco Santucci, and Suicide Squad by Robbie Thompson, and Eduardo Pansica.

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On the graphic novel front, DC dropped Milestone Compendium One, REPRESENT!, and Batwing: Luke Fox earlier this month. All of them are now available for purchase on Amazon.

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In addition to these three titles, other recently released graphic novels featuring Black superheroes include The Other History of the DC Universe by John Ridley, Andrea Cucchi, and Giuseppe Camuncoli; Green Lantern John Stewart: A Celebration of 50 Years; Mister Miracle: The Great Escape by Varian Johnson and Daniel Isles; and Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smith.

A free selection of curated titles spotlighting Black DC superheroes will also be featured on the DC Universe Infinite digital subscription platform, which fans can check out here.

DC Black History Month merchandise

As part of DC’s celebration of Black History Month, DC Shop dropped a new merchandise collection inspired by DC superhero and flagship Milestone Comics character, Virgil Hawkins, aka, Static. The said line of merch includes tees, hoodies, and sporting goods highlighting Static’s electromagnetic powers. DC Shop is also the exclusive retailer of a brand-new $99 skate deck featuring Static.

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Other merchandise that arrived on the DC Shop this month features the all-new DC Black History Month logo and key art by artist Alitha Martinez, as well as the returning Juneteenth key art by Milestone co-founder Denys Cowan.

DC Black History Month initiative

As announced during DC FanDome 2021, DC and Milestone Media, along with Ally Financial Services, created The Milestone Initiative, which aims to identify, develop, and mentor aspiring comic book professionals of color. Applicants selected for the Milestone Initiative Development Program receive both in-person tutelage from working comic book professionals, in addition to virtual education through the prestigious Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. After the study, attendees are paired with other comic book professionals to create new, original stories within the Milestone Universe.

“Continuing our rich history of amplifying Black stories and talent, the launch of our Black History Month selection of new comics, books, and merch celebrates the Black visionaries amongst us and collectively promotes and supports the telling of stories from the Black perspective,” said Anne Leung DePies, senior vice president and general manager of DC. “Focused on boosting representation of aspiring comic book professionals of color and introducing them to positive apprenticeship in the art, The Milestone Initiative will pave the way for change by creating a place for individuals to be supported by mentors and connect over a shared love for comics.”