The Black Comic Alliance, the collective of content creators behind the viral #DCSoWhite campaign, has officially announced Stage 2 of its advocacy movement: DCBlackout, a coordinated protest calling on readers, supporters, and content creators to withhold financial support and pause content creation tied to DC Comics publishing initiatives until meaningful structural changes are made around Black representation in mainline continuity.
Launched in response to longstanding concerns regarding the treatment, investment, visibility, and sustainability of Black characters and creators within DC publishing, #DCSoWhite sparked widespread conversation across comic industry spaces and fan communities. According to organizers, DCBlackout represents an escalation of that dialogue after what they describe as continued inaction and performative responses from the publisher.
“In almost 50 years, DC has only had 10 Black ongoing series in its mainline continuity, with only 1 surpassing 50 issues, and not a single [title led by a] Black woman. They constantly blame sales, but they’re playing a game with the deck stacked against us. This needs to stop,” said James Portis III, also known as JPenumbra.
James Portis III also spoke exclusively with Black Girl Nerds in a conversation about this topic on the BGN Podcast. You can listen to that episode here.
The frustration expressed by creators extends beyond numbers alone, centering on how Black stories are developed, marketed, and sustained within the broader DC ecosystem.
“DC Comics chose to give a Confederate officer a series before a Black character. Not a good look. Black people only have value to DC Comics during February,” added Ernie Carothers, also known as Blerd Without Fear.
What DCBlackout Calls For
The DCBlackout initiative outlines several coordinated actions for supporters and participants, including:
- Posting on social media and calling for DC Comics to publish 1 to 3 new ongoing series for Black heroes in its mainline continuity, led by strong Black creative teams
- Canceling pull list subscriptions for DC titles, including ongoing series, miniseries, and collected editions, until a Black-led ongoing is solicited and supported
- Raising awareness about how digital sales are not valued the same as preorder single issues in industry decision-making
- Demanding transparent, long-term investment in Black representation across publishing
- Supporting Black creators through independent and creator-owned projects
- Encouraging broader industry conversations around equity, visibility, and sustainability
The Black Comic Alliance emphasizes that DCBlackout is not rooted in hostility toward fans, creators, or the DC Universe itself, but rather in frustration over what organizers describe as a repeated pattern of underinvestment, inconsistent publishing support, and marginalization of Black creative voices.
A Structural Issue…Not A Moment
Among the concerns cited by the organization are:
- The lack of sustained ongoing titles led by Black characters in mainline continuity
- Short-lived initiatives without long-term commitment
- Limited marketing support for Black-led books
- Underrepresentation of Black editorial and creative talent
- Disparities in publishing practices, including how digital sales are weighed and how quickly titles are canceled before reaching trade collections
“I want to ensure that the comic book readers of the future can see themselves within the pages of DC now and in the next generation,” said Charlie Wilson, also known as Captain Diesel.
“The way DC treats its Black characters, especially Black women characters, is something that needs to be addressed. We all deserve better,” added Dr. Kaori Knight.
What Happens Next
According to the Black Comic Alliance, DCBlackout will remain active until DC Comics publishes a Black-led ongoing series in its mainline continuity and demonstrates sustained promotional support that signals long-term investment in its success. Organizers also point to ongoing frustrations around transparency in sales reporting and promotional support, referencing recent concerns around titles such as The New History of the DC Universe: The Dakota Incident and broader claims that “Black books don’t sell.”
At its core, DCBlackout is being positioned as both a protest and a demand for structural change within one of comics’ most influential publishers, pushing for a publishing landscape where Black characters and creators are not treated as seasonal or experimental, but as essential and enduring parts of the DC Universe.
Supporters are encouraged to engage using the hashtags #DCSoWhite and #DCBlackout, while continuing to center Black creators, independent projects, and sustained conversations about equity within the comic book industry.
