By Zack Quaintance — We recently spent a day on Twitter elevating work by Black comics creators. Books such as Submerged, BTTM FDRS, Nighthawk, Bitter Root, and Power Man and Iron Fist, among many others. The nature of Twitter is such that these type of lists can get lost as rapidly as they get posted. So, with that in mind I wanted to create this landing page for posterity — a list of great recent comics to read by Black creators.

Check out the list of recommendations below…

Comics by Black Comics Creators

Bitter Root
Writers: David F. Walker & Chuck Brown
Artist: Sanford Greene
Publisher: Image Comics
In the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance is in full swing, and only the Sangerye Family can save New York-and the world-from the supernatural forces threatening to destroy humanity. But the once-great family of monster hunters has been torn apart by tragedies and conflicting moral codes. The Sangerye Family must heal the wounds of the past and move beyond their differences... or sit back and watch a force of unimaginable evil ravage the human race.
Why It’s Cool: Bitter Root fearlessly hits in so many timely directions. Set during the Harlem Renaissance, it’s a familial story about generational monster hunters, demons, and manifestations of hate.

Black Panther / Captain America
Writer: Ta-Nehisi Coates
Artists: Various
Publisher: Marvel Comics
A bold new direction for the Black Panther! For years, T'Challa has fought off invaders from his homeland, protecting Wakanda from everything from meddling governments to long-lost gods. Now, he will discover that Wakanda is much bigger than he ever dreamed...Across the vast Multiverse lies an empire founded in T'Challa's name. Readers caught a glimpse of it in MARVEL LEGACY #1. Now find out the truth behind the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda!
Why It’s Cool: Once Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Ta-Nehisi Coates got his feet under him in the comics medium, he ended up telling a truly wild cosmic Black Panther tale with some of the best Afro-futurist artwork to appear in any medium in recent years. Meanwhile, with his work on Captain American, Coates re-envisions Marvel’s patriotic icon as a someone who is misunderstood and repentant, trying to do what’s right for himself and for his country in the midst of powerful forces who want to manipulate the public against him.

BTTM FDRS
Writer: Ezra Claytan Daniels
Artist: Ben Passmore
Publisher: Fantagraphics
When a pair of bohemians descend upon a neglected working-class neighborhood in search of cheap rent, they soon discover something sinister lurking behind the walls of their new home. BTTM FDRS (pronounced "bottomfeeders") offers a vision of horror that is gross and gory in all the right ways. Funny, scary, and thought provoking, it confronts the monstrous forces that are displacing cultures in urban neighborhoods today.
Why It’s Cool: Last year’s original graphic novel BTTM FDRS by Ezra Claytan Daniels and Ben Passmore is a must-read comic, approaching as it does issues related to housing, privilege, and gentrification through a lens that lands somewhere between body and techno horror.

Deathstroke
Writer: Christopher Priest
Artists: Various
Publisher: DC Comics
Deathstroke's latest contract takes him to a war-torn African country, where he finds himself caught in the middle of a disintegrating alliance between a ruthless dictator and a deadly super-villain. With an entire nation at stake, Slade Wilson must choose between fulfilling his contract and saving an old friend.
Why It’s Cool: I loved this run, start to finish. So much so that I actually did a deep dive into some of its themes a little past halfway through. It’s a great, really smart comic that sees writer Christopher Priest expertly-wielding his ample intellect and talent. Now that it’s over, it’s easy to say that this is the definitive Deathstroke run, and perhaps no writer in all of comics can do arrogant bad dudes as well as Priest.

Excellence
Writer: Brandon Thomas
Artist: Khary Randolph
Publisher: Image Comics
Spencer Dales was born into a world of magic. His father belongs to the Aegis, a secret society of black magicians ordered by their unseen masters to better the lives of others-those with greater potential-but never themselves. Now it's time for Spencer to follow in his father's footsteps, but all he sees is a broken system in need of someone with the wand and the will to change it. But in this fight for a better future, who will stand beside him?
Why It’s Cool: Excellence is a great-looking comic from writer Brandon Thomas and artist Khary Randolph. It’s about a secret society of black magicians who use their powers to help others but never themselves. There’s a great plot here about power structures, with a father-son emotional core.

Far Sector
Writer: N.K. Jemisin
Artist: Jamal Campbell
Publisher: Marvel Comics - Young Animal
N.K. Jemisin, the acclaimed, award-winning author of The Broken Earth and Inheritance science fiction trilogies, makes her comic book debut with bestselling Naomi artist Jamal Campbell as they thrust you into a stunning sci-fi murder mystery on the other side of the universe! For the past six months, newly chosen Green Lantern Sojourner "Jo" Mullein has been protecting the City Enduring, a massive metropolis of 20 billion people. The city has maintained peace for over 500 years by stripping its citizens of their ability to feel. As a result, violent crime is virtually unheard of, and murder is nonexistent.
Why It’s Cool:

Ironheart
Writer: Eve Ewing
Artist: Luciano Vecchio
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Riri Williams steps boldly out of Tony Stark's shadow to forge her own future! When one of Spider-Man's old foes holds a group of world leaders hostage, Ironheart must step up her game. But she's thrown for a loop when an old acquaintance from Chicago re-enters her life! Caught between her need for independence and her obligations at M.I.T., Ironheart needs to make some tough decisions! Luckily, Riri has a will of steel, a heart of iron and a new A.I. on her side! Unluckily, the search for a kidnapped friend will send her stumbling into an ancient power - and it's deadly! Plus: When Miles Morales goes missing, who better to search for him than his fellow Champion, Riri - who he's never actually gotten along with that well!
Why It’s Cool: For a fun and really pretty teen superhero comic, I don’t think there’s been a better choice of late than Ironheart. Writer Eve Ewing really took to the medium, and the art team of Luciano Vecchio, Geoffo, and Matt Milla did work so clean and precise that it basically shines.

LaGuardia
Writer: Nnedi Okorafor
Artist: Tana Ford
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics - Berger Books
In an alternate world where aliens have integrated with society, pregnant Nigerian- American doctor Future Nwafor Chukwuebuka, has just smuggled an illegal alien plant named Letme Live through LaGuardia International and Interstellar Airport . . . and that's not the only thing she's hiding. She and Letme become part of a community of human and alien immigrants; but as their crusade for equality continues and the birth of her child nears, Future-and her entire world-begins to change.
Why It’s Cool: LaGuardia is by Hugo and Nebula-Award Winning Writer Nnedi Okorafor and artist Tana Ford, and it flew under the radar on Dark Horse’s Berger Books imprint, but it’s an excellent four-part series about aliens, immigration furor, and protecting your own family within all of that. A really lush and imaginative visual story.

Livewire
Writer: Vita Ayala
Artists: Raul Allen and Patricia Martin
Publisher: Valiant Entertainment
For the first time, Livewire takes center stage! Accomplice. Mentor. Savior. And now, Enemy of the State. Seeking to protect other vulnerable superpowered psiots like herself, Livewire plunged the United States into a nationwide blackout, causing untold devastation. With the whole world hunting her, what kind of hero will Livewire be... or will she beon one at all?
Why It’s Cool: I’ve been saying for a while that the recent Livewire 12-issue run from Valiant — by Vita Ayala and several artists, including Raul Allen and Patricia Martin — is the best solo X-Men comic in like a decade, even if it’s not technically an X-Men comic.

Mosaic
Writer: Geoffrey Thorne
Artist: Khary Randolph
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Meet Marvel's newest, uncanniest Inhuman! Professional basketball player and world-renowned celebrity Morris Sackett has gained extraordinary abilities, but they came at the cost of his own mortal body! Now imbued with the power to jump from person to person like a ghost, he controls the forms and minds of those he inhabits - and inherits their memories and skills! But as Morris struggles to figure out what the heck to do with his new talents, his learning curve is cut short by a mysterious group - and his personal life comes crashing down! Can he master his Inhuman powers in time for a unique team-up with Spider-Man - and his first clash with a costumed villain? And when the collateral damage hits, can Mosaic pick up the pieces? Be here as the sensational saga begins!
Why It’s Cool: A lot of readers missed Mosaic (it was at the tail end of Marvel trying to push the Inhumans as an X-Men replacement amid a dispute over movie rights), but it was a very strong comic, armed with a great concept and stellar artwork by Khary Randolph, who is also on this list with Excellence.

Naomi
Writers: David Walker and Brian Bendis
Artist: Jamal Campbell
Publisher: DC Comics
DC's biggest, newest mystery starts here! When a fight between Superman and Mongul crashes into a small Northwestern town, Naomi begins to uncover the last time a super-powered person visited her home-and how that might tie into her own origins and adoption. Follow Naomi's journey on a quest that will take her to the heart of the DC Universe and unfold a universe of ideas and stories that have never been seen before. Join writers Brian Michael Bendis and David Walker and breakout artist Jamal Campbell in Wonder Comics' massively ambitious new series and star.
Why It’s Cool: Just a few more. Another great teen superhero comic, Naomi. fun air of mystery, but I think the two things that worked real well were the sense of awe at the DC Universe and the stellar Jamal Campbell artwork. Just gorgeous. It was also written by David Walker, with Brian Bendis.

Nighthawk
Writer: David Walker
Artist: Ramon Villalobos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
The Squadron Supreme's Nighthawk is Chicago's dark protector, dispensing decisive justice to those who truly deserve it. But someone even more brutal is targeting the city's shadiest power brokers in a series of grisly murders. As the bodies pile up, Nighthawk must decide whether to hunt this psycho - or leave him to it! And as racial tension grips the city, Nighthawk faces another choice: defend his new home, or watch it burn. With white supremacists on one side and cops out to get him on the other, he's bitten off more than he can chew - and that's before he becomes the new obsession of the elusive serial killer the Revelator! Nighthawk's in for a bloody, life-or-death fight that will define him. Can he save Chicago as a hero? Or does the city require a villain?
Why It’s Cool: Nighthawk is another must-read comic, by writer David F. Walker, artist Ramon Villalobos, and colorist Tamra Bonvillain. It feels especially timely this week with its story of police malfeasance and the spider-web of civic ills related to who benefits and why. Not for the faint.

Postal
Writer: Bryan Edward Hill
Artist: Isaac Goodhart
Publisher: Image Comics - Top Cow
Welcome to Eden, Wyoming-a place founded by criminals, for criminals. A place where, despite its inhabitants, no crime is allowed. Through the eyes of local postman Mark Shiffron, we see a town struggling to keep its fragile peace, a town on the constant brink of chaos. Following the first murder in Eden's history, Mark's need to solve this crime leads him through the darkness to truth about the town he's known his entire life, and the hidden realms of his own psyche. After all, with his mother as the town's mayor and his mysterious father as its cofounder, Eden is his birthright.
Why It’s Cool: A complex, and slow-burning long-form story that really turns into something fascinating as it goes…all of which is brought to life by writer Bryan Edward Hill and artist Isaac Goodhart, who were relative newcomers when this book came out but have gone on to high-profile work for DC.

Power Man and Iron Fist
Writer: David Walker
Artist: Sanford Greene
Publisher: Marvel Comics
The best buddy team in comics, reunited at last! Luke Cage and Danny Rand, the Heroes for Hire turned Avengers, are going back to street-level basics - and there's a mystery to solve that will draw in crime lords, hired goons and old friends! But which of the three pose the most trouble? The Big Apple may end up poisoned by magic unless Luke and Danny can put a stop to whoever is wielding the mystical Supersoul Stone! Business starts to boom, with a flurry of big-hitting, kung-fu-fighting action. But when a second Civil War splits the Marvel Universe down the middle, will Power Man and Iron Fist be on the same side, or will a fine bromance end? Luke brings the power, Danny brings the fists - you bring the snacks!
Why It’s Cool: Before Bitter Root, David Walker and Sanford Greene also did Powerman and Iron Fist, a blast of a book that like Nighthawk was also cancelled too soon. Lee Loughridge did colors on this run, and I think the art just fits the characters so well, as did Walker’s snappy scripting.

Queen of Bad Dreams
Writer: Danny Lore
Artist: Jordi Perez
Publisher: Vault Comics
When a dream entity known as a figment emerges from a dreamer's mind, it's Daher's job as an IJ to track them down and make the call: reinsert the figment, or grant them agency in our world. After an especially powerful figment escapes the dreams of an even more powerful politician's son, Daher is pulled headlong into an investigation that traces all the way back to the incident that sent dreams, even nightmares, spilling into our own.
Why It’s Cool: Queen of Bad Dreams is a really unique concept that raises questions about the other, governing/liming the rights of others, and the nature of enforcement over disparate beings. It’s a really singular and immersive read. By Danny Lore, Jordi Perez, Dearblha Kelly, and Kim McLean.

Shuri
Writer: Nnedi Okorafor
Artist: Leonardo Romero
Publisher: Marvel Comics
The world fell in love with her in Marvel's Black Panther. Now, T'Challa's techno-genius sister launches her own adventures - written by best-selling Afrofuturist author Nnedi Okorafor and drawn by Eisner Award-nominated artist Leonardo Romero! T'Challa has disappeared, and everyone is looking at the next in line for the throne. Wakanda expects Shuri to take on the mantle of Black Panther once more and lead their great nation - but she's happiest in a lab, surrounded by her own inventions. She'd rather be testing gauntlets than throwing them down! So it's time for Shuri to go rescue her brother yet again - with a little help from Storm, Rocket Raccoon and Groot, of course! But when her outer-space adventure puts the entire cultural history of her continent at risk from an energy-sapping alien threat, can Shuri and Iron Man save Africa?
Why It’s Cool: This short-lived Shuri comic that Marvel recently put out from Nnedi Okorafor and Leonardo Romero is also a nice light read, especially for fans of Wakanda. It uses Shuri as a young genius and the concept of the country well with a lighter story arc. Recommend.

Submerged
Writer: Vita Ayala
Artist: Lisa Sterle
Publisher: Vault Comics
On the night of the biggest storm in New York City history, Elysia Puente gets a call from her estranged little brother Angel, terrified and begging for help. When the call cuts out suddenly, despite the bad feelings between them, Ellie rushes into the night. Finding his broken phone in front of a barricaded subway station, Ellie follows echoes of her brother into the sinister darkness of the underground, desperate to find him before it's too late.
Why It’s Cool: Submerged by Vita Ayala, Lisa Sterle, Stelladia, and Rachel Deering is an urban fantasy tale inspired by Hurricane Sandy, and its plot sends its protagonist on a journey through the city’s underground that speaks to issues of love and family. Such an intriguing, heartfelt story.

Upgrade Soul
Writer/Artist: Ezra Claytan Daniels
Publisher: Lion Forge
For their 45th anniversary, Hank and Molly Nonnar decide to undergo an experimental procedure that will give them their youth back, but their hopes are dashed when the couple is faced with the results: severely disfigured yet intellectually and physically superior duplicates of themselves. Can the original Hank and Molly coexist in the same world as their clones? In Upgrade Soul, McDuffie Award-winning creator Ezra Claytan Daniels asks probing questions about what shapes our identity-Is it the capability of our minds or the physicality of our bodies? Is a newer, better version of yourself still you? This page-turning graphic novel follows the lives of Hank and Molly as they thrust into a very David Cronenberg-esque life change.
Why It’s Cool: A visionary work in comics if ever there was one, you should really do yourself a favor and read Upgrade Soul by Ezra Claytan Daniel, if you haven’t already. Smart and tragic, everything in this story feels real, from the near-future science to the human desires driving the plot.

Your Black Friend
Writer/Artist: Ben Passmore
Publisher: Silver Sprocket
Ben Passmore's necessary contribution to the dialogue around race in the United States, Your Black Friend is an open letter from your black friend to you about race, racism, friendship and alienation.
Why It’s Cool: Highly recommend cartoonist Ben Passmore's "Your Black Friend," which is told from the perspective of Your Black Friend and delves into everything from overt racism to misinformed obliviousness to the little things white people do to make life trying for Black friends.

Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and a freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about comics as Comics Bookcase.