Graphic Novel Reviews: Black Volume 1

Black: Volume 1 collects issues 1-6 of this graphic novel about the appearance of unique powers in people of African ancestry. Osajyefo, Smith, Ingle, and other talented creators tell the story that from the outset merely looks like a superhero story with an all-Black cast – but it is so much more!

Black begins with the death of 3 young Black men at the hands of the police. One of the victims, Kareem Jenkins, awakens from the ordeal and is ushered to a secret facility to learn the truth about himself and his people. It turns out that people of African ancestry began exhibiting supernatural powers long ago and as a consequence they have been enslaved, colonized, disenfranchised, and been victims of systematic racist structures ever since. It turns out that Kareem is unique even amongst his superpowered brothers and sisters – his genetic make-up has never been witnessed before and that makes him valuable to many players in this world. There are those that want to take his power, those that wish to use his power to further their agenda, and those who wish his help to protect, save, and train others like him.

I cannot think of a more-timely graphic novel to add to library collections than this one at this very moment. The commentary on the situation of the lives of Black men and women in American and across the globe is needed. The experience of reading this graphic novel is not comfortable no matter your racial or cultural background; but the discussion of race needs to be real and not sugar-coated. The material in this graphic novel is powerful and thought and emotion provoking.

This book is for older young adults, new adults, and adult readers.