It was a banner year for Black comics with scores of great books out both mainstream and on the independent front, narrowing things down to a top ten is definitely no easy task. With sincere apologies to a lot of very honorable mentions, here are this writer’s picks for the best books originally released to the public in 2019!
Excellence
Writer: Brandon Thomas
Artist: Khary Randolph
A generational war is ignited in this action-fantasy series. When Spencer Dales inherits his family’s legacy and membership in a secret society of black magicians ordered by their unseen masters to better the lives of others-of higher potential-but never themselves, he sees nothing but a broken system in need of someone with the wand and the will to change it!
Bitter Root
Writers: David F. Walker and Chuck Brown
Artist: Sanford Greene
Soon to be a major motion picture, Bitter Root is set against the vibrant backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance and follows a family of once-great monster hunters, the Sangeryes, who are the only line of defense from an unimaginable evil – an invasion by hideous monsters that were once human beings before they were transmogrified by a supernatural force-feeding off of prejudice, spite, and bigotry.
New Kid
Writer/Artist: Jerry Craft
A wonderful book for young readers of all ages, Jerry Craft’s latest work New Kid is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggles seventh-grader Jordan Banks endures as he finds himself torn between two worlds.
Far Sector
Writer: N.K. Jemisin
Artist: Jamal Campbell
Take one of the best science fiction writers of all time, (N.K. Jemisin), and one of the hottest comic artists in the game right now (Jamal Campbell) and you have one of the best comics that DC Comics has released this year. Follow the exploits of the Green Lantern Corps newest member, Sojourner “Jo” Mullein, as she patrols the far-flung world of City Enduring in this action-packed adventure.
Mine to Avenge: The Book of Layla
Writer: Robert Jeffrey II
Penciller/ Inker: Matteo Illuminati
Colorist/ Letterer: Loris Ravina
A cyberpunk epic ripped from pages of the real-life horror history of the LaLaurie mansion, Mine to Avenge pits the Retribution Cabal against the reborn LaLauries and their denizens as they seek to obtain ultimate power.
Malika: Fallen Queen
Writer: Roye Okupe
Artist: Sunkanmi Akinboye
Set in fifteenth-century West Africa, Malika Warrior Queen follows the titular royal as she struggles to keep the peace in her ever-expanding empire. When a painful betrayal by one of the people closest to her opens her up to multiple threats, the Warrior Queen must fight to keep her kingdom intact.
Ironheart
Writer: Eve Ewing
Artist: Lucian Vecchio
This one hurts. Canceled this year with issue 12, Ironheart was the ongoing series written by the talented Eve Ewing. Chronicling the exploits of the newest addition to the Marvel Comics Universe, Riri Williams, Ironheart was a stellar series that was canceled WAY before its time. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.
Turnkey
Writer: Dedren Snead
Artist: Ar En
A Dungeons and Dragons inspired tale that tells the story of a human ranger named Darrus found guilty of treason by the prince of the 5 Ring Kingdoms and sentence is to become the Turnkey, a jailer of the kingdom’s infamous mystical dungeon called The Mount right as the world is on the brink of a great war.
Ret:Con
Writer: Robert Jeffrey II
Artists: Jordi Perez & Paris Alleyne
In a future where artificial intelligence governs the remains of the world and time/space is being ravaged by violent ruptures, the RET:CON Agency is created to stop reality from falling into entropy in this exciting comic from 133art.
Marassa
Writer: Greg Anderson Elysee
Artist: Antonello Cosentino
A sci-fi adventure comic featuring space pirates, space bounty hunters, and epic space opera adventures from a diverse crew with lots of explosive action and high drama.
Nia Caler
Writer: Dorphe Jean
Artist: Julie Anderson
Dorphise Jean and Julie Anderson are two of the most talented creators on the black indie comics front. Check out Jean and Anderson’s work on Spirits Destiny for further proof. Their latest effort, Nia Caler is a reflection of that talent. From the comic series pitch, “A government experiment gone wrong. A father mysteriously abducted. Nia Caler has to figure out who is the real him as secrets unravel.”
Naomi: Season One
Writers: Brian Michael Bendis and David Walker
Artist: Jamal Campbell
One of the lead series’ from DC’s Bendis-led Wonder Comics imprint, Naomi is the story of titular star Naomi and her quest to uncover the last time a super-powered person visited her home—and how that might tie into her own origins and adoption.
Scorpio
Writer: John Robinson IV
Artist: Cezar Oliveira
From the mind of creator John Robinson, Scorpio is the story of a young millionaire reluctantly dragged into a secret war over 12 magical Zodiac empowered relics.
Livewire
Writer: Vita Ayala
Artist: Raul Allen
We’ve covered Livewire a number of times here at BlackSci-Fi.com. Vita Ayala and Raul Allen continue to kick butt on this series of Amanda McKee (Livewire), Valiant Comics resident psionic teletechnopath.
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Honorable Mentions: I told you it was hard to narrow down this list to just the ones above and as a way of showing that there are a few titles that, for various reasons, just missed the cut.
Living Heroes
Writer: Stephanie Williams
Artist: O’Neill Jones
Living Single meets Marvel Comics. ‘Nuff said. Please support this stellar webcomic here, and stay tuned for more webcomics from this talented team.
Crescent City Monsters
Writer: Newton Lilavois
Artist: Gian Carlo Bernal
Scratched on a technicality as it was originally released in webcomic form prior to 2019, this New Orleans based neo-noir horror comic is easily one of the best books you can grab with a soulful story and some of the best artwork out there.
The Search for Sadiqah: Issue Zero
Writer: Greg Burnham
Artist: Shannon Sapenter
Set in the early 1920s and following a young girl on a quest to find a mythological place, this historical action-fantasy tale is a wonderful book for young readers and old alike!
Swag Patrol
Writer: Rubyn Warren
Artists: Mark and Marvin Marvida
Much in the vein of classic X-Men, Swag Patrol follows the adventures of a trio of teen heroes who gain extraordinary abilities and embark on a superhero journey protecting Kongo City with the help of their high school science teacher, Dr. Tre.
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William Satterwhite is the creator of the superhero webcomic Stealth and a freelance designer, internet consultant and illustrator living in Douglasville, Ga. His professional website can be found at www.williamsatterwhite.info.
This article was originally posted on https://blacksci-fi.com/top-black-comics-of-2019/
