PRIDE Month: John Ridley's The Other History of the DC Universe

Two new comic books celebrating LGBTQ+ characters. Both Rene Montoya (The Question) and Anissa Pierce (Thunder) are part of DC Comics' The Other History comic book series by Academy Award-Winning Screenwriter (12 Years a Slave) John Ridley, a groundbreaking five-issue bimonthly DC Black Label Miniseries by Ridley and Artists Giuseppe Camuncoli and Andrea Cucchi.

 
(The Latest Two Comic Books)

The series reframes iconic moments from DC history, exploring them through the eyes of DC Super Heroes representing traditionally disenfranchised groups. The series centers around the perspectives of Jefferson Pierce, a.k.a. Black Lightning; his daughter Anissa, also known as Thunder; Mal Duncan (Herald) and his wife, Karen Beecher (Bumblebee); Renee Montoya (the Question); and Tatsu Yamashiro (Katana).

Book IV Rene Montoya 1992 ~ 2007
(Available as of May 25th)

The Question
The gay, Latinx daughter of immigrants, Rene makes the choice to enlist in the “old boys club” that is the Gotham City Police Department. Closeted, constantly pulled between being “blue” and “brown,” it’s not until Rene “loses” her face that she can finally embrace the totality of her own identity.


Book V Anissa Pierce 1984 ~ 2008
(Available July 27th)

Thunder
The daughter of Jefferson Pierce, Anissa grew up knowing her father was as exceptional as he was flawed. Rightly lauded by many as a hero, dedicated as a teacher, Jefferson was often absent as a father and husband and - like too many black people of a certain age - latently homophonic. A painful realization for the young, queer Anissa. This last book is as much about Anissa as it is about a family coming full circle: the hopes and dreams of a father not just met by his daughter, but surpassed by a remarkable, young woman who firmly represents the future.