During a period when Black, Latino, and Asian characters were seldom highlighted in mainstream superhero comic book production, Milestone Comics emerged with the intention of bridging this longstanding narrative gap – a void in human and mutant characters that truly mirrored the diverse audience driving the comic book industry’s enduring success. This groundbreaking initiative, which was unusual at the time, gained significant early backing from DC Comics, a leading global publisher of superhero content. Their collaboration, which was uncommon then, symbolized their dedication to guaranteeing that Milestone Comics would occupy a prominent position within the mainstream superhero world.
As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but draw parallels with the world of comics. Milestone Comics, once a powerhouse in the industry with its compelling narratives and critical acclaim, unfortunately faced a near 20-year hiatus that diminished much of its initial glory. Various factors played a role in this decline, but one significant reason seemed to be insufficient high-profile promotion. However, since 2020, Milestone Comics has shown remarkable resilience by rekindling the spirit that fueled its early triumphs. This revival needs and deserves more support, particularly from DC Comics. A modest investment from them could help cultivate a new wave of Milestone/DC fans, ensuring the legacy continues for generations to come.
The Time was Right for a Different Type of Superhero Comic, and Milestone Answered the Call
In 1993, Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, Derek T. Dingle, and Christopher Priest, all accomplished comic book creators and Black Americans with diverse industry backgrounds, established Milestone Comics. Their objective was to tackle the significant absence of minority characters in mainstream superhero comics head-on. Having worked on projects such as The Falcon, Green Lantern, Comic Buyer’s Guide, Justice League Unlimited, Black Enterprise magazine, and more, they aimed to create a vibrant universe filled with heroes and villains of color who weren’t just secondary characters, but main protagonists – the heroes they had always desired to develop themselves.
Milestone’s first batch of comics introduced some revolutionary stories. For instance, “Hardware” by Dwayne McDuffie and Denys Cowan, which chronicles the adventures of a high-tech hero in armor who fights against crime and corporate misdeeds. Similarly, “Icon” by McDuffie and M.D. Bright recounts the tale of an alien who lands in pre-Civil War America and is adopted by a slave woman who raises him as her own child. In “Blood Syndicate,” written by McDuffie and Ivan Velez Jr., we follow a gang that transforms into superheroes, deciding to put their past conflicts aside and instead focus on truth and justice. Lastly, “Static” – a joint creation of all Milestone founders – revolves around a teenage superhero who juggles the challenges of adolescence while striving to safeguard his community.
In the fabricated city of Dakota, all the storylines were situated, earning the label “Dakotaverse” for the line. This common setting facilitated the initiation of the first crossover event, Shadow War, a year after its inception. This event brought about two new series: Shadow Cabinet, created by Dwayne McDuffie, Robert L. Washington, Matt Wayne, and John Paul Leon; and Xombi, by John Rozum and Denys Cowan. Later on, Kobalt, a creation of John Rozum and Arvell Jones, joined the collection of titles under Milestone’s publishing umbrella.
Milestone Comics – With DC’s Help – was Primed for Success
Achieving success in a comic book publishing industry dominated by long-standing companies, traditional practices, and fans resistant to new characters or innovative storytelling is no walk in the park. However, Milestone Comics had a significant edge during its formation in the early 1990s. At that time, DC Comics was also seeking diversity in their character roster. Milestone, a collective specializing in superheroes of color, turned out to be an ideal collaborative partner for DC. In exchange, DC offered Milestone valuable publishing knowledge, logistical support, and brand recognition – areas where many new comic book publishers often struggle.
The Milestone-DC contract wasn’t your typical arrangement; instead, it was exceptionally innovative for the era. Essentially, DC allowed Milestone complete creative and editorial autonomy. While DC managed publishing, distribution, and offered editorial advice, Milestone Comics held the reins on their own operations, even keeping ownership of their original copyrights. The only condition being that DC had the option to refuse publishing a title; however, if they chose to publish it, they were required to do so without any modifications.
At first, the collaboration between both parties yielded impressive results. The Dakotaverse rapidly amassed a loyal fanbase, with works such as “Hardware” and “Icon” receiving rave reviews from critics. A significant event, “Worlds Collide,” brought Milestone characters into the larger DC Comics universe, laying the groundwork for their future integration into DC’s narrative continuity. Simultaneously, DC garnered considerable acclaim for its commitment to supporting Milestone and promoting diversity in superhero comic books.
Back in 1997, four years after it was launched, Milestone stopped producing new content. This decision was influenced by creative disagreements among the founders, a decline in the appeal of their comics, and a general wane in comic book popularity. A significant attempt to resurrect Milestone and end its hiatus took place in 2015, with DC Comics introducing Earth-M within their continuity to replace the Dakotaverse. Progress was slow, but titles like Milestone Returns #0 were finally published in 2020. From 2021 to 2024, mini-series for characters such as Static, Icon, Hardware, and Shadow Cabinet followed. Unfortunately, as of today, there are no active Milestone series being published.
DC Could and Can Still do More for Milestone
It’s undeniable that DC played a crucial role in supporting Milestone during their formative years. But it’s hard to say whether Milestone would have reached such heights without DC’s assistance in placing their comics at retailers, allowing readers to find them easily. The inclusion of Milestone characters within the DC Comics universe also proved beneficial. However, it seems that DC could have taken more steps to keep Milestone a consistent and lasting presence in the superhero comic book world.
At first, it made sense for DC to be cautious about fully endorsing Milestone. However, such reservations should have been short-lived given the impressive success of Milestone’s titles. This success has persisted, with the current Hardware series receiving rave reviews and Static gaining immense popularity to the point that it was transformed into the Emmy-winning Static Shock animated series in 2004. Remarkably, Milestone thrived not by relying on merchandising or a toy line, but primarily through positive word of mouth. It’s regrettable that DC didn’t increase its support earlier, or at least during the relaunch of Milestone in 2020.
2nd Point: Despite DC incorporating the Milestone characters into their narrative, these heroes have been scarcely utilized. If DC’s aim to foster a diverse cast of characters authentically, then it would seem logical to utilize the Milestone heroes more, given their established backstories, deep mythology, and dedicated fan bases. However, since the introduction of Earth-M, the integration of Milestone characters into the main DC Universe has been minimal. While DC is developing properties like Blue Beetle and Booster Gold, the Milestone heroes are primarily restricted to Earth-M.
Thirdly, and arguably the most crucial factor for Milestone’s longevity, DC’s marketing efforts for its Milestone Imprint have been relatively lackluster. This is surprising given the widespread popularity and critical praise some of its titles have received. It seems puzzling when you compare this to the aggressive promotion DC gives to imprints like Black Label or temporary events such as Future State. Essentially, it appears that DC has the ability to promote extensively when they want to; what’s perplexing is why they don’t put in the same effort for Milestone. Given its pioneering and visionary role in comic book history, Milestone should receive consistent, long-term, and prominent support from DC, not just occasional revivals every few decades.
Read More
- Microsoft has a new way to use AI in OneNote — but a “dumb” feature excites me more
- xAI’s $300/month Grok 4, billed as a “maximally truth-seeking AI” — seemingly solicits Elon Musk’s opinion on controversial topics
- Anime’s Greatest Summer 2024 Shonen Hit Drops New Look Ahead of Season 2
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Bill Gates says AI will replace humans for most things — but coding will remain “a 100% human profession” centuries later
- Tokyo Game Show 2025 exhibitors list and main visual announced
- Jeffrey Epstein’s “Client List” Doesn’t Exist, Justice Department Says
- Twilight Director Details “Earth-Shattering” Lesson From the Movie
- Ryan Lochte Gets Cozy With New Woman Amid Kayla Reid Divorce
- How Much Does a PS5 Equivalent PC Cost in 2025?
2025-07-19 20:40