DC celebrates Black History Month with Milestone, series of comics

For Black History Month 2022, DC, according to a statement by the publishing company, will be celebrating “its rich legacy of Black Super Heroes and creative talent with an incredible selection of comic books, collected editions, original graphic novels, variant covers, plus a new initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of storytellers of color.”

The Milestone Initiative

During DC FanDome 2021, DC and Milestone Media, along with Ally, announced The Milestone Initiative, a program created to “identify, develop and mentor aspiring comic book professionals of color.”

According to DC, applicants selected for the Milestone Talent Development Program will 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 study, attendees will be paired with other comic book professionals to create new, original stories within the Milestone Universe.

Black History Month Variant Covers

DC has collaborated with digital artist and illustrator Alexis Franklin to produce a series of variant covers celebrating several of DC’s Black Super Heroes. Fans can check with their local comic book shop for availability.

“Green Lantern” no. 11 (on sale now)
“I Am Batman” no. 6 (on sale February 8)
“Nubia and the Amazons” no. 5 (on sale February 15)
“The Flash” no. 779 (on sale February 15)
“Action Comics” no. 1040 (on sale February 22)
“Aquamen” no. 1 (on sale February 22)

DC and Milestone Comics (available at participating comic book stores and digital platforms)

“Green Lantern,” by Geoffrey Thorne, Tom Raney, and Marco Santucci (issue no. 11 on sale February 1)
“Suicide Squad” (featuring Amanda Waller) by Robbie Thompson and Eduardo Pansica (issue no. 12 on sale February 1)
“I Am Batman,” by John Ridley, Ken Lashley and Rex Lokus (issue no. 6 on sale February 8)
“Icon and Rocket Season One” (issue no. 5 on sale now, issue no. 6 on sale February 15)
“Nubia and the Amazons,” by Stephanie Williams and Alitha Martinez (issue no. 5 on sale February 15)
“Aquamen,” by Chuck Brown, Brandon Thomas, Sami Basri and Adriano Lucas (debuting Feb 22)
“Static Season One” (issue no. 6 in stores March 1)
“Hardware Season One” (issue no. 4 on sale 1/25, issue no. 5 on sale February 22)
“NAOMI Season Two,” co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker, with art by Jamal Campbell (issue no. 1 on sale March 8)

DC Books for Young Readers, Original Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

“Milestone Compendium One” (on sale February 1)
“REPRESENT!” (on sale February 1)
“Batwing: Luke Fox” (on sale February 15)
“The Other History of the DC Universe,” by John Ridley, Andrea Cucchi and Giuseppe Camuncoli (available now)
“Green Lantern John Stewart: A Celebration of 50 Years” (available now)
“Mister Miracle: The Great Escape,” by Varian Johnson and Daniel Isles (available now)
“Far Sector,” by N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell
“Nubia: Real One,” by L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smith (available now)