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The Black Comics You NTK Besides 'The Black Panther'

These Black comic books definitely deserve their own movies, too.

Crossing the $1 billion mark in worldwide sales, it's no secret Marvel's Black superhero Black Panther took the Black community and the world by storm!

From breaking box office records to trending on social media for weeks, the power of the Black dollar cannot be ignored. So much so, a sequel has been confirmed. Wakanda fovever!

There’s no denying Black Panther was a key contributor in showcasing the need for diversity in the world of comics, but can we do more? Always!

As the first Black woman to own a comic book store on the East Coast, it’s no secret Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse owner Ariell Johnson’s stance on diversity and inclusivity in the colorful pages of comics.

“Why is it that we’re always looking for ourselves in this medium? It’s because we long to see ourselves being amazing. We like to see pieces of greatness acted out and we want to be a part of it. Not the sidekick, or the peripheral character that’s there for laughs, we want to be the hero sometimes too,” Ariell said during her Ignite Talk.

“When especially children, but adults too, are denied those narratives, it weighs on one’s understanding of self-worth, and even the belief in yourself to concur the unthinkable.”

“While I must agree, we are moving in the right direction, when even the comic giant Marvel has recognized the need for diversity, and decided to change up their roster, a bit, we must also acknowledge that we still have a long way to go before we have true diversity,” she added.

Preach, sis! We couldn’t have said it better.

In efforts to showcase diversity as we gear up for this year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego, we’ve decided to enlist the help of Ariell to share with us her must-read comics highlighting powerful Black characters.

Keep scrolling to see the Black comics you need to know besides “Black Panther” — even if you're not a self-proclaimed Blerd (Black nerd).

  1. Harriet Tubman Demon Slayer (Created & Written by: David Crownson | Art by: Courtland Ellis)

    (Photo: peepgamecomix.com)

    peepgamecomix.com

    (Photo: peepgamecomix.com)

    Harriet Tubman Demon Slayer features a sword-wielding Harriet Tubman battling witches, werewolves, vampires, demons and slavery. This is bound to be a page turner!

  2. Tuskegee Heirs (Created by Marcus Williams & Greg Burnham)

    (Photo: marcusthevisual.com)

    Photo: marcusthevisual.com

    (Photo: marcusthevisual.com)

    Get ready to go on an adventure with Tuskegee Heirs! Building on the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, five young Black aviators protect the planet from superpowered robots bent on destroying civilization -- 80 years in the future!

  3. Dayblack (Created by Keef Cross)

    (Photo: Amazon)

    Photo: Amazon

    (Photo: Amazon)

    Dayblack chronicalizes the life of a former slave-turned-vampire-turned-tattoo artist whose way of life is about to be threatened by someone from his past. Prepare yourself to be wowed.

     

  4. Excellence (Written by: Brandon Thomas | Art by: Khary Randolph, Emilio Lopez)

    (Photo: imagecomics.com)

    imagecomics.com

    (Photo: imagecomics.com)

    Excellence is an action-fantasy series that takes place in a world of magic where Black magicians reign supreme! The storyline is sure to leave you enchanted!

  5. Abbott (Written by: Saladin Ahmed | Art by: Sami Kivela)

    (Photo: Amazon)

    Amazon

    (Photo: Amazon)

    Taking place in 1970s Detroit, chain-smoking hard-nosed journalist Elena Abbott investigates horrific murders that have ties to supernatural forces being controlled by a secret society of the city’s elite. These crimes have been ignored by police, but don’t worry, she’s on the case.

  6. Black (Written by: Kwanza Osajyefo | Art by: Jamal Igle)

    (Photo: Amazon)

    Photo: Amazon

    (Photo: Amazon)

    What if only Black people possessed superpowers? In the comic Black, a young man miraculously survives being gunned down by police, and learns that he is part of the biggest lie in history. Will he keep it a secret or tell his truth? Find out for yourself. 

     

  7. Niobe (Written by: Sebastian A. Jones & Amandla Stenberg | Art by: Ashley A. Woods)

    (Photo: Amazon)

    Amazon

    (Photo: Amazon)

    Co-written by Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg, Niobe follows orphaned wild elf teenager Niobe Ayutami’s journey as the would-be savior of the vast and volatile fantasy world of Asunda. Get ready for fun with this fantasy comic featuring Black mythical creatures.

     

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