Media personality and author Charlamagne tha God is stepping into the realm of comics with original properties Darkstorm and The Vindicators that may be the start of the next big superhero universe. In an exclusive with Variety, Charlamagne revealed details on the graphic novel he has coming to his imprint, Black Privilege Publishing, and a new comic series in collaboration with AWA Studios. The books appear to be just the start of what Charlamagne hopes will be a more diverse world of superheroes.
Though widely known for his syndicated radio show, The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne tha God has also penned several books such as Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It and Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me. In 2020, Charlamagne founded Black Privilege Publishing, an imprint under Simon & Schuster's Atria Books. Per the imprint's page on the Simon & Schuster website, Black Privilege Publishing was created "to be a safe place where unapologetically Black voices tell their unapologetically Black stories—with freedom, bandwidth, and power".
Charlamagne is continuing his mission with the creation of brand-new graphic novel and comic book. Variety reported that Charlamagne tha God has brought the creative team of Kevin Grevioux and Ken Lashley together to create Darkstorm, described as "a reluctant superhero with PTSD who is seen as an anti-hero except to those who know him best." Also coming soon from Charlamagne and AWA Studios is The Vindicators, "a diverse superhero team and a relatable origin story set in a bleak dystopian future." The coming series are an achievement for Charlamagne, a lifelong comic fan, who says that "this new universe, filled with Black and brown god-level superheroes is a dream come true."
Though Charlamagne was tight-lipped and didn't give away too many details from the upcoming series, he stressed what having such a diverse, new superhero universe meant to him. Charlamagne discussed how Black superheroes were often relegated to street-level when he grew up and that rarely saw heroes of color who were as powerful as some of the bigger names. Books like Darkstorm and The Vindicators can hopefully change that and allow newer generations to see themselves in, as Charlamagne says, "god-level" heroes.
The new series comes as comic books as a whole are beginning to create more opportunities for creators of color and amplify Black voices. DC has resurrected its Milestone imprint, bringing heroes such as Static, Icon and Rocket back to a general audience. In addition to the books, DC launched a new initiative aimed at "creating the next generation of Black and diverse comic book creators." These recent pushes are a great way of providing content for a traditionally underserved audience in the comic book realm.
Though it may be a while before fans see them realized, The Vindicators and Darkstorm seem to be the change that Charlamagne tha God wishes to see and kickstart a beloved universe of powerful, Black heroes.
Source: Variety