In the early part of the twentieth century, or so the story goes, there lived a fearless adventurer named Aaron Day. Intelligent, resourceful, righteous and strong, he traveled the world as BlackJack, leaving everywhere he walked just a little bit better than he came to it. As you’ll soon see, BlackJack’s life was extraordinary and his many exploits no less than the stuff of legend. It’s a legend that ennobles us all.
There are cynics who would have you believe that Aaron Day never existed. I’ve read the book though, so I’m skeptical of this assertion. That’s not to say I dismiss the argument out of hand, maybe they’re right. But maybe it doesn’t matter, either. Maybe what’s really important is what BlackJack represents; the countless real-life heroes of color whose stories are seldom told. Or maybe it’s deeper still; BlackJack holds his head high, in the honored tradition of Sherlock Holmes and Doc Savage, of Indiana Jones and yes, even of Superman; all heroes who represent, in different ways, the qualities everyone aspires to as human beings.
Representation is the operative word here.
I’m a sucker for high adventure and as a person of color, I’ve got a lot of experience identifying with heroes who don’t resemble me in the slightest. I’ve got no problem with that, nor does it stop me from enjoying the fantasy. That big guy in line in front of you, first show on opening day of the new Bond movie? That’ll be me. Still, there’s something special about seeing a hero who looks like you, too. When you see your image reflected in the media, especially heroically, it validates you. Suddenly your experiences, dreams and untapped potential all seem that much more tangible -more possible. But that’s only part of what makes BLACKJACK magical.
You’ve heard the jokes about how, if one were to judge from our popular culture, there aren’t going to be any black people in the future. It’s a funny observation, albeit in a chilling sort of way. Thankfully, these days it’s less and less the case. But you know what’s still true? Judging from our popular culture, black people barely existed in the past, either.
I’ve seen a lot of movies. Here’s what I’ve learned. Blacks were absent from both World Wars. In the Fifties, we must have stepped out for a cup of coffee or something, as we were likewise nowhere to be seen. There were a few of us in the Thirties and Forties; we were the ones serving coffee. Then we comically bugged our eyes and ran away in terror. To be fair, some of us occasionally had musical numbers (but they were edited out in the South). The Twenties and Teens? You think of one, I couldn’t. Before then? Other than Woody Strode, blacks had no part in taming the West. This lie has been so deeply embedded in our consciousness that reviewers of the recent big-budget fantasy WILD, WILD WEST pronounced the idea of Will Smith as a cowboy/Secret Service agent as “impossible” and possessing “an utter lack of verisimilitude.” Evidently, the giant, fireball-launching, mechanical tarantula wasn’t as much of a stretch. The pattern continues throughout our fictional history. Although Blacks were slaves, we played no part in helping to build this country. That’s probably because we were all too busy raping a white girl. Thank God the Klan was there to bring us to justice. History, folks.
Okay, the record’s less than stellar. But it isn’t too late to do something about it. Witness Alex Simons and his grand creation, BLACKJACK. With a team of talented artists, Alex has delivered both a hero and a history. Aaron Day is a romantic figure, both compassionate and admirable. Moreover, I believe in his world. He lives in a past that is better realized than most fictional representations of the present. And damned if I don’t learn something almost every issue. On top of everything else. BLACKJACK has the gall to be educational. But never fear, Alex is far too-skilled an entertainer to ever let you notice that his stories are good for you. Get ready for a ride. This is pure comics; clean art, clear storytelling and more exciting, swashbuckling, fun than you can shake a BLACKJACK at. I had a blast reading and re-reading it. I know you will, too.
Enjoy.
Dwayne McDuffie
Orlando, Florida
12/22/99
Dwayne McDuffie is a founder of Milestone Media, the creator of ICON, STATIC and DAMAGE CONTROL and writes a weekly comic book column for PSYCOMIC.COM. When he grows up, he wants to make comics like BLACKJACK"
