Top 10 Black Comic Book Writers You Need to Read Now

Posted on February 14, 2024

by Eric S

When you think about it, it’s kind of odd (maybe “disappointing” is the word?) that historically, comics, especially of the superhero variety, have lacked representation when it comes to not only the characters they depict but the creators who have worked on them. Many iconic writers and artists of the Golden and Silver Age of comics were second and third-generation Jewish immigrants. Early Superman comics portrayed the Man of Steel fighting for social justice, in which he upheld a form of “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” that belonged to all Americans. Even early Wonder Woman comics took a shockingly feminist point of view (seriously, check them out). In the Silver Age, the X-Men were a very intentional metaphor for the struggles of those who were seen as different, while heroes like the hyper-intelligent, regal Black Panther began to push back against the idea that comics were only a place for white men. In my experience as a 30+ year reader of comics, I suspect that the comic book readership is much more diverse than most realize. That being said, there is still an impressive group of talented, influential Black creators who have made important artistic contributions across all genres of comics. We’ve selected 10 of our favorites to provide a starting point for anyone looking to see how Black writers have left their mark on the medium. Also, don’t forget to look at some of our favorite Black artists.