REVIEW: Black AF: Widows and Orphans

Like each of the earlier forays into the empowered world of exclusively Black superheroes, “Black AF: Widows and Orphans”“ features a powerful and compelling concept. What if some of the more nefarious forces from around the world aggressively trafficked Black children with superhuman abilities? Published by Black Mask Studios and powered by Kwanza Osajyefo and Tim Smith 3, the “Widows and Orphans”“ contribution to this irresistible comic book universe is off to an ambitious start.

The original title ”“ “Black”“ — essentially operated in and around the urban spaces of America. It asked and answered a horrifying question ”“ what if super-human bias, often directed at Black folks in reality, sometimes with mortal consequences, was actually warranted because Black folks were literally empowered. The answer, according to Osajyefo and Smith is that they would be hunted and experimented on like animals. Historians will tell you that this fantasy world is not too far removed from some of our nation“s darker realities.

The follow-up, “Black AF: America“s Sweetheart”“ shifts settings to the “heartland”“ of America and centers the most enduring character in this universe ”“ Eli Franklin, a fifteen ”“year old Black girl from Montana, with superman-like powers and an abiding aspiration to be America“s hero. It was an outstanding contribution to this story world and an important sequel given its change in tone and setting.

“Black AF: Widows and Orphans”“ #1 clearly raises the geo-political stakes of the series establishing more a global approach to these stories. Anansi, one of the central characters amongst a team of heroes whose mission appears to be ensuring the security of high-profile empowered Black people, is an uber-ninja kidnapped as a child and trained under slave-like conditions. Events in this first issue suggest that those who enslaved and trained her may be back up to their old tricks, so Anansi, along with Hoodrat (no comment) teleport to Japan to investigate.

Again, the concept here is solid and at times compelling. It fits well within the story world that Osajyefo and Smith 3 are building. But there are moments and panels in this issue where the story is confounded by characters popping up out of nowhere or where the scene itself might benefit from some kind of exposition. Overall the issue might be more cohesive if it used a few more square boxes to go along with the characters“ dialogue. Some of this comes down to editing, but some of it also just underscores how trade or longer formats are simply better for certain kinds of stories. For “Widows and Orphans”“ the bar has been set high for great storytelling about complex superhero worlds directly shaped by the social constructions of race in America. 3.5/5

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(W) Kwanza Osajyefo (A) Tim Smith