In this corner of the Black Universe ”“ a version of earth where only Black folks have superpowers ”“ a drug scourge is ruining the lives of poor communities of color. Selena/Indigo has vowed to end it. Ellen ”“ who has recently resigned her post in law enforcement joins her; as does Kareem, the “ground zero”“ hero of the Black universe. If you had any questions prior to issue #3 as to whether or not Black (AF) Devil“s Dye was a team book or a solo book, that question is answered definitively here. This is a team book; the dynamics between Kareem, Ellen, and Selena are delightful and perfectly scripted by Vita Ayala.
Much of what forms the scaffolding of the Devil“s Dye story might, on the surface appear to be stories that have been told again and again. Illegal drugs are bad and they ruin communities. Secret government entities conspire to put drugs into socially invisible communities; same government entity conspires to experiment on people. Maybe some version of these stories has been told, but not like this. Not in a way that centers characters of color or in ways that resonate authentically with our contemporary moment. Devil“s Dye does both.
In order for Devil“s Dye to succeed as a series it has to convey this world of conspiracy and drug dealing as a backdrop to something more significant. And in issue #3 the significance of Selena and Ellen“s partnership, the importance of the team (Selena, Ellen, and Kareem), and the haunting nature of Selena“s past — all shift to the foreground of the series in ways that are both subtle and overwhelming. There is tremendous competition for which Black book is the best ”“ the Original, Black (AF) Sweetheart or Devil“s Dye. It might be too early to choose, but without question, Devil“s Dye #3 is one of the best single issues produced in this glorious Black universe. 4.5/5!
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