The Other History of the DC Universe writer John Ridley revealed how his personal connection to Black Lightning helped shape the series.
The Other History of the DC Universe promises to shed light on untold moments featuring DC’s heroes of color. The first issue will focus on Black Lightning, and writer John Ridley revealed his personal history with the character made Jefferson Pierce the perfect hero to kick off the first issue.
“So for me personally, when I was a kid Black Lightning was the first character of color that I was not only aware of [having], but in the DC Universe, that had his own series,” Ridley told Polygon. “And to have a character that looked like me, to have a character who was a teacher, like the way that my mother was a teacher; to have a character that, in his personal life, was just a teacher trying to make a difference, a street level hero, who initially had a power belt and then had his own powers? It was just a really interesting experience for me to finally have a hero that had something different about him. That was actually, for me, not different.”
Ridley also said that although Green Lantern John Stewart was the first African American DC superhero, his personal connection to Jefferson Pierce won out. “So, for me when it came time to do The Other History; yeah, John Stewart predated Jefferson Pierce, but there were things about Jefferson Pierce that were powerful to me when I first read the comics,” he added. “There were things about him as a father; as a guy who was, in some ways, maybe a little bit more conservative as a Black man, in terms of some of his values — that made him really interesting. So he felt like the absolute right character with which to begin this story.”
THE OTHER HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE #1
- written by JOHN RIDLEY
- art by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI and ANDREA CUCCHI
- cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL
- cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI and MARCO MASTRAZZO
- 1:25 variant cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL
- PRESTIGE PLUS FORMAT
- RESOLICIT | ON SALE 11/24/20
- $6.99 US | 48 PAGES | 1 OF 5 | FC
- 8.5″ x 10.875″ | BIMONTHLY | NO ADS
- DC BLACK LABEL | AGES 17+
- Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Let It Fall) examines the mythology of the DC Universe in this compelling new miniseries that reframes iconic moments of DC history and charts a previously unexplored sociopolitical thread as seen through the prism of DC Super Heroes who come from traditionally disenfranchised groups.
- This unique new series presents its story as prose by Ridley married with beautifully realized illustrations by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Andrea Cucchi. Issue #1 follows the story of Jefferson Pierce, the man who will one day become Black Lightning, as he makes his way from being a young track star to a teacher and, ultimately, to his role as a hero. Future issues focus on characters such as Karen and Mal Duncan, Tatsu Yamashiro, and Renee Montoya.
- Extensively researched and masterfully executed, The Other History of the DC Universe promises to be an experience unlike any other. You may think you know the history of the DC Universe…but the truth is far more complex. The Other History of the DC Universe isn’t about saving the world—it’s about having the strength to simply be who you are.
The Other History of the DC Universe will be published under DC’s Black Label imprint, and features art by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Andrea Cucchi. Other characters explored in the book include Renee Montoya, Katana, Bumblebee and Mal Duncan.
The Other History of the DC Universe #1 goes on sale Nov. 24 from DC.
About The Author