Support the movement by using #dcsowhite on social media because it has been
DAYS
since DC Comics published an ongoing comic book for a Black character in their mainline continuity.
I Am Batman #18 was published on February 14th, 2023...
"BUT WHAT ABOUT..."
ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN:
This is a title in the absolute universe. It is not a story set in the mainline continuity. While the work of writer Al Ewing, as well as the different pencilers, inkers, colorists, and editors who have worked on this title, it is not a mainline continuity title and perpetuates a narrative that black characters need the cultural impact of “ABSOLUTE” to be successful.
MINI/LIMITED SERIES VS ONGOING SERIES:
A mini series or limited series is classified as a comic series with a predetermined endpoint. Whether it be 3, 5, 6, or 12 issues, if it has a predetermined endpoint and is not going to continue as an ongoing with room for new story arcs and potential for new creative teams to take over, it is NOT an ongoing series. Here is a list of every mainline solo black mini-series DC has published since 2000:
Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle (2005-2006)
DC Presents: Cyborg (2008-2008)
Vixen: Return of the Lion (2008–2009)
Black Lightning: Year One (2009-2009)
Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands (2018)
Batman and the Signal (2018)
Naomi: Season 1 (2019)
Aquaman: The Becoming (2021-2022)
Black Manta (2021-2022)
Naomi: Season 2 (2022)
Mister Miracle: The Source of Freedom (2021-2022)
Nubia and the Amazons (2021-2022)
Nubia: Queen of the Amazons (2022)
Cyborg (2023-2024)
Steel Works (2023-2024)
Green Lantern: War Journal (2023–2024)
Black Lightning (2025)
Mr Terrific: Year One (2025)
BLACK COMICS DON’T SELL:
This is a misleading statement. While DC Comics can point to the sales charts and say “This book didn’t sell well”, they orchestrated the factors that led to its poor sales. This isn't just an issue that affects black characters, but all marginalized characters. These factors are:
Lack of disclosure of how “Sales” work: What is tracked as sales is the ordering of the single issues by your local comic book shop. NOT your sale. The comic book store owner is left in charge of what is ordered based on their observed supply and demand. What DC, as well as many publishers, don't inform you as a consumer of is that your PREORDER is the only thing that can change what is ordered beyond what the store owner chooses to order. So effectively. Something that isn’t ever bought by a fan but is bought for the shelf, but ends up in a back issue bin is also considered a sale.
Lack of Promotion: DC has not moved fully into the digital age. They still struggle with promoting their titles, even moreso when it comes to their marginalized characters. From a lack of social media presence to a lack of partnering with influencers. This is the biggest obstacle hurting DC for every title except for Batman and the ABSOLUTE Universe.
Digital: DC and subsequently, other publishers do not value digital sales. Whether it'd be from Amazon, Neon-Ichiban, or Global Comix, or whatever platform you prefer, these are not being utilized to track sales and readership, despite how advantageous it would be for fans who don’t have local comic shops. They don’t even use the readership of DC INFINITE as a metric!
Trade Paperbacks/Collected Editions: DC has a repeated pattern of cancelling black ongoings or mini series with the potential for more like 2025’s Black Lightning, before they can get to trade. Trader Paperbacks/Collected Editions are an easier way for fans to purchase stories and are seen as a larger form of entertainment compared to single issues. Unless they are preordered, their sales are not tracked.
MILESTONE:
Milestone’s involvement cannot be understated. The creations of Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, Derek T. Dingle, and their collaborators are some of the greatest works in the history of comic books. However, it has not always been a part of continuity.
The original 93 ongoings were in their own universe because they were only published by DC.
Static would eventually have an ongoing series in the main continuity in 2011, but it only ran for 8 issues.
They would then have another run of titles with MILESTONE RETURNS in 2021, but even these titles were victims of DC’s lack of promotion, issues with distribution, as well as the fans not knowing how “sales” work.
"HOW CAN DC COMICS STOP THE CLOCK?"
Announce 1-3 solo ongoing titles starring black characters. These titles should have black creative teams to tell authentic narratives.
Allow these titles to have immunity from cancellation for 2 years to allow them to enter the cultural zeitgeist and have trade paperbacks and collected editions available for fans who purchase in that format.
Update and utilize new forms of promotion, such as social media and influencers, to promote not just their black titles, but their titles across the board to elevate the medium.
Release educational information on how “sales” work so the misleading of fans ends and full transparency begins.
If these series perform well, continue them and greenlight a Power Company book to highlight minor black characters to give them a chance to find new fanbases.
“Escape is impossible until one perceives all of the barriers.”
-Dwayne McDuffie (Hardware #1)
