A writer of AMC’s The Walking Dead and a first-time comics artist are teaming for a unique new series from BOOM! Studios. Dark Blood is a historical science fiction series from writer LaToya Morgan and artists Walt Barna and A.H.G. No letterer was named in the announcement. The six-issue series debuts in July.
Here’s how BOOM! describes Dark Blood:
Alabama, 1955. Avery Aldridge was a decorated soldier during World War II; now he’s just an ordinary young Black man busy providing for his wife and daughter. But the wounds of the past have a way of coming back, and he’ll soon discover that he is anything but ordinary. After a run-in awakens strange new abilities, Avery’s about to become more powerful than he could have ever dared to dream… in a country and society that never wanted him to have any power.
Morgan, a screenwriter who has written for multiple series including The Walking Dead and Shameless, has also written comics for DC and Zenescope. Dark Blood will be Zimbabwe-based artist Barna’s first professional comics work.
In a statement accompanying the announcement of Dark Blood, Morgan described bringing the series to BOOM!:
“DARK BLOOD is a thrilling, genre-bending story that combines twisty sci-fi and historical action, incredible feats of bravery and deep familial love,” said Morgan. “I could not be more grateful for my creative partners at BOOM! who believed in this passion project from the start. I’m so excited for readers to take this wild ride with these characters I love so much.”
BOOM! editor Dafna Pleban also praised Morgan and Barna for their work on the series:
“LaToya and Walt are incredible storytellers and are telling a riveting story with complex, layered characters and an incisive look at American history,” said Dafna Pleban, Editor, BOOM! Studios. “I’m deeply grateful to have had the chance to work with the brilliant creators on this team to bring their unique and thrilling vision to readers and fans everywhere!”
Stories where superpowerful beings are also people of color have been seen before, notably in Kwanza Osajyefo, Tim Smith 3, and Jamal Igle‘s Black. The historical setting for the series is an interesting wrinkle, though, and should add another layer of drama to the proceedings. Barna and A.H.G.’s artwork for the series looks remarkably strong for their first time out as well.
Check out covers for the first issue by Valentine De Landro, Juni Ba, and Dan Mora, as well as a few interior preview pages from Barna and A.H.G., below. Dark Blood #1 (of 6) arrives in stores and digitally in July 2021.
