'My Super Hero Is Black' Shines Spotlight on Black Creators and Characters Through Marvel Comics History

As revealed on EW earlier today, #1 New York Times best-selling author John Jennings and acclaimed producer Angélique Roché are teaming up for My Super Hero is Black, a non-fiction, prose project, illuminating some of the most important Black creators and characters through Marvel Comics history. The project, with cover art by Natacha Bustos, will be available wherever books are sold on October 11, 2022 — pre-order the title now!

From the introduction of Black Panther in the 1960s and publisher Stan Lee’s early efforts at addressing systemic racism, to the groundbreaking work of creators like Billy Graham, Christopher Priest, Reggie Hudlin, and Ta-Nehisi Coates, My Super Hero is Black offers a rich examination, celebration, and historical overview of Marvel’s Black characters and creators. It also includes accounts from prominent Black creators and luminaries about their personal relationships with Marvel Super Heroes.

My Super Hero is Black is the next title in the brand-new collaboration between Marvel and Gallery Books Group, a division of Simon & Schuster, publishing new premier non-fiction Marvel titles. These new titles will launch under Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and focus on the storied history of Marvel Comics through today and the cultural impact of some of the world’s most iconic super heroes.

[RELATED: 'Marvel's Voices' Celebrates Marvel's Legacy in New Spotlight Series]

"My Super Hero is Black follows the journey of the industry on its path to the modern Black super hero, one of the grandest examples of our modern mythology," Roché tells EW. "The medium of comic books allows us to escape, dream and imagine the possibilities of our world. Who we choose to be, our heroes shows what we value as a society. When I was first approached to be a co-author of My Super Hero is Black with the incredible John Jennings, I immediately said yes. I knew that this story was one that needed to be told. The narrative of the Black super hero, its impact on individuals, and how it has evolved as our country—and around the world—tells not an amazing entertaining narrative of fictional stories but reflects the real-life complexities of Black representation in media. As life-long genre fans, John and I have taken great care to craft not just a historical reference but a narrative that highlights a journey of Black super heroes, past, present, and future."  
 
"Marvel Comics is one of the most dynamic and iconic narrative universes ever created," adds Jennings. "As a publishing institution, its innovative explorations into the full potential of the comics medium have transformed the pop culture landscape and inspired millions of creators and fans alike. I am one of those fans and one of those creators. It is both my honor and privilege to be able to present this historic book to the world. Angélique and I have endeavored to create a love letter to the characters we hold dear, a celebration of Black characters and creators in the vast Marvel Universe, and a document for future generations to come. One of Marvel Comics’ core mantras is that they want their comics to show 'the world outside your window' and that is exactly what they have done over the last eight decades. My Super Hero is Black is not just a reference book but it shows the potential of these amazing Black characters through new windows and new vantage points. We hope that audiences are as thrilled to experience the spectrum of representations of Blackness in My Super Hero is Black via the lens of the universe that is Marvel Comics as we are."

Presented by John Jennings—the notable comics scholar, illustrator, editor, writer, teacher, publisher, and #1 New York Times best-selling author—and Angélique Roché—the acclaimed content creator, producer, and the popular host of the Marvel’s Voices podcast—this milestone work is destined to become a classic and will speak to generations of comics fans and storytellers.

My Super Hero is Black is available October 11, everywhere books are sold!

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