Unapologetically Black “Cuz we are original…”

The struggle to find Black independent comic books today can barely be called a struggle. The struggle perhaps is getting Black readers to give Black independents a chance. That chance often is by way of webtoons, kickstarters, Indygogo, and the like. Yes, there are numerous places where one can consume independent Black comic book material, However, it has not always been that way. In 1992, Alonzo Washington, an activist and Black nationalist created Omega7, a Black comic book publishing company. One of the first titles from that company was a book called “Original Man”. Washington not only was the publisher but he was also the writer on the book.

Original Man is a success story. One does not need to address numbers to make this statement. However, it does help that the book initially after being marketed to churches, bookstores, community events, etc was a huge success and demand for Omega7 titles grew beyond his focus group. Alonzo Washington, however, had a vision to do a book that would be a game changer. What is noteworthy about Original Man is that it is a book that steers clear of comic tropes. Instead issue #0 focuses on the protagonist, Mikal Wayne Luxor and his embracing of his role as Original Man. The story reads in the vein of Afro futurism with a level of consciousness that speaks to the writer’s desire for readers to relate to the protagonist. In one particular panel, Mikal is speaking with a woman. He invites her to a theater that specializes in ancient plays. The name of that play is called “The Meeting”. This Easter Egg is a nod to the play entitled “The Meeting” by Jeff Stetson. This is a play about a “meeting” between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.

Washington drops tidbits in the story letting the readers know who this material and character in particular is for. Though this a book that takes place in the far distant future, some of the content expresses explicitly that Original Man is indeed a “title and a position” that African Americans had been denied to lay claim to. The story itself is science fiction. The antagonists, a race of aliens called Cyrogians claim themselves to be the “true rulers of the universe”. They seek to be worshipped as the case is many times with oppressors. The book is filled with action and moves easily along in its story telling. Please google Alonzo Washington and Omega7 to read in-depth about the journey in publishing a book for Black people. The struggle was real and we must understand that there would be no Black Sands Entertainment without Omega7.

In short, Original Man is a book for Black people who are unapologetically Black because as the old school hip-hop rap group Original Concept puts it “Cuz we are original”. -Richard J Wright

NOTE: Richard J Wright’s complete blog listing can be found at blackwardslivingincomics.blogspot.com