“At long last – the return of the legendary Milestone Comics imprint has kicked into high gear! This jumping-on point chronicles the events of the Big Bang – the police-brutality protest gone wrong that changed the face of the city of Dakota forever, by unleashing a wave of superpowers across its population! As the world watches, a bullied teenager will become the hero known as STATIC… a framed scientist will go on the run as the super weapon HARDWARE… and a stranded alien will meet an ambitious young woman who will transform his life, and remake the pair as the all-powerful ICON & ROCKET!
The original Milestone changed the face of superhero comics forever, introducing the industry to a wave of Black talent who still shape the conversation… and the new Milestone intends to raise the bar! Get on board here!”
What I thought
I was filled with trepidation when faced with reviewing this opening salvo. Milestone and its stories have taught me so much over the years. From tolerance in Blood Syndicate through characters like Fade and Masquerade, to navigating an ungrateful work environment in Hardware, even in Icon facing the possibilities of abortions (Icon #7, reviewed by Fraser); Milestone, classic Milestone means allot to me as a fan.
The delays, court situation with the McDuffie estate (Davis cited by Fraser, 2017) etc. really sucked the excitement out of me for the re-launch as well.
Classic Milestone and writers like Ivan Velez Jr. is my tether to this world. When I realized that this was a New 52 take on things I was even less excited. For years I preached that Milestone should break ties with DC and go it literal solo like Valiant but that is not happening, and will never happen.
Just accept it!
This new take on the Milestone brand starts off not with the original Big Bang which was a war among gangs (Fraser, 2013) but a Black Lives matter protest involving the untested chemicals designed by Curtis Metcalf/Hardware. It’s a good way to launch this world and will no doubt hit home for many American fans for which this is their reality. The art in this Static focused section is provided by Olivier Coipel of whom I am a huge fan. This was a highlight in this opening. The likeness of McDuffie is used for Virgil’s father is a nice touch as was the banter between his sister and mother. I liked how they touch on Virgil being bullied because he wasn’t “black enough” which a problem among black people is globally. I have been told I don’t sound “black” or “Caribbean” because I speak English. This is frustrating among black people because many have bought into the idea that “whiteness” is tied to “intelligence”. I have never understood how one sounds or acts ‘white’ because you can form a sentence in actual English but hey like Virgil I’m a victim here.
Degrees of Blackness are also a problem which many of us have faced. I recently had this talk with my fried about how my identity as a black man and my pro-black stance on life is tied into my Maroon lineage (My ancestors sided with Nanny of the Maroons and the Fraser’s were early members of Nanny Town) but if I stay out of the sun too long people say I look ‘mixed’ or ‘Dominican’.
Policing of blackness and who can or cannot be pro-black is a serious problem among black people in America. If you have a white spouse, you can’t be pro-black? This is a discussion we have had even on our face book page.
The more we fight about it, the more divided we as a people are which caters to the ‘Willy Lynch’ (Lynch, 2011) mindset and especially the ‘Banking concept of Education’ (Freire, 2018) but you all not even aware of all that or not ready to have that conversation…
The fallout from the Black Lives Matter protest hits Curtis Metcalf as he expects with the company not just throwing him under the bus but trying to kill him in a hail of gunfire. He is ready and I am gloriously excited! Of all the books I heard about in this line up Hardware is the one I am most excited for. When I started Milestone Monday’s back in 2010, Hardware was the #1 book I covered. It has aged very well; the analogy of the caged bird becomes more and more apt as you start working.
Don’t delude yourself, you are not special. No matter how much money you make for a company you are expendable. No matter how friendly you are with your boss, you are not friends.
I have experienced this for years working with independent writers and artists and even in my academic career. It’s never enough so like Hardware, you better have your own back!
Hardware is drawn by the legendary Denys Cowan, who I respect and revere and written by Brandon Thomas. Already I can see how racially charged some of this commentary may get, and I’m here for it!
Virgil returns to school and he and Hot streak have a tussle. That moment when Virgil was taking a crap and fried the circuits in the house was hilarious! Vita Ayala if this is where you’re going on this title I will certainly take the plunge.
The bit with Darius the social Media personality was a good exposition dump and sets up why those with physical deformities will be villains or even a Morlock based society as time goes on. Then again Holocaust has galvanized them into a super powered mob so; let’s see where that o goes.
The bit with Icon was cool I guess but for me it was the weakest of the bunch.
Overall I am pleased with this opening salvo. I’m excited for this new Milestone universe and the possibilities it creates. This issue is full of teachable moments, not just in the Americas but globally. The issues in the Vita Ayala Penned Static moments are the most thought provoking for me personally. As someone with whom the original series never really resonated I like where this is going. In its current state, I’m excited by the unknowns.
Will it live up to my expectations or yours?
Only time will tell!
Cheers to Milestone 2.0 and all involved,
Welcome back Milestone!
References
Fraser, R. (2012, December 30). Icon #7 Review. Retrieved from http://worldofblackheroes.com/2012/12/30/icon-7-review/
Fraser, R. (2013, March 18). Milestone Mondays: What was The Big Bang (Event). Retrieved from http://worldofblackheroes.com/2013/03/18/the-big-bang-event/
Fraser, R. (2017, August 3). Dwayne McDuffie’s Estate Sues Over Milestone 2.0. Retrieved June 4, 2021, from http://worldofblackheroes.com/2017/08/03/dwayne-mcduffies-estate-sues-over-milestone-2-0/
Freire, P., & Ramos, M. B. (2018). Pedagogy of the oppressed: 50th anniversary Edition. New York: Bloomsbury Academic.
Lynch, W. (2011). The Willie Lynch letter and the making of a slave (41400th ed.). African Tree Press.