Image via Marvel
Migos' "Bad & Boujee" is proving to be one of the most influential songs of 2017 (and it’s still early!). It’s been all but inescapable in the past few months since its release in October. But it really catapulted into pop culture once Donald Glover praised the track during his acceptance speech for winning Best TV Series for his critical darling, Atlanta, at the Golden Globes where he thanked Migos for creating “the best song ever.” After that the track continued to dominate—becoming certified platinum, gaining the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and spawned tons of “rain drop, drop top” memes that created a cultural phenomenon.
But more than a song, the Atlanta trio captures the definition for hustlin’ divas who have the perfect blend between intelligence, badassery and self-reliance. With Metro Boomin on the production, Migos raps about the classy women (and men) who live lavish but are also not afraid to get down and dirty to fight for what they want. But “bad and boujee” women aren’t only found in Migos’ hit song, but across comic book pages and behind the scenes as well. Similar to the track, comic books star dynamic women like the savage-minded yet stylish Vixen who headlines her own comic and Ayo and Aneka, who are ready to lead a revolution in Marvel’s World of Wakanda. The latter is also written by two black women, Roxane Gay and Yona Harvey, a first for Marvel. For the Whitleys, Hillarys, Fancys and Lisas, here's a list of comic books for the"bad and boujee" to talk about during the next scheduled brunch.
Motor Crush (Image Comics)
Author: Babs Tarr, Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart
Year Published: 2017 (ongoing)
Issues/Trades Available: Four issues (next issue comes out on April 12)
Motor Crush follows Domino Swift, a badass motorcyclist who’s trying to break into the World Grand Prix but also can’t stay away from the allure of illegal street-racing where she moonlights as a nail-bat wielding racer. But consistently winning first place isn’t the only draw for Domino. The winner of the underground races also gets vials of an illicit drug known as Crush that works as an enhancer for machines and a one-way ticket to a deadly head explosion if consumed. And did we mention that her mechanic (sometimes) is also her ex-girlfriend? As you can imagine, it all spirals out of control quickly which makes for some good tea as Domino attempts to navigate her batty world.
World of Wakanda (Marvel Comics)
Author: Ta-Nehisi Coates, Roxane Gay, Yona Harvey
Year Published: 2016 (ongoing)
Issues/Trades Available: Five issues (next issue comes out on April 19)
World of Wakanda is a spin-off of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ popular run of Black Panther. Instead of following the Wakandan king, World of Wakanda sheds light on the strong and intelligent women of the African nation who work as protectors of the kingdom dubbed as the Dora Milaje. Helmed by Haitian writer, Roxane Gay, who also wrote the essay collection, Bad Feminist, the series has themes of love, loyalty and betrayal. In the midst of falling in love, the series’ protagonists, Ayo and Aneka, become disenfranchised with T’Challa’s rule and decide to plan a coup. But first they need to round up allies and deal with their internal conflict of betraying the King who they’ve sworn to protect. And if you want more to read, the comic also contains a side series based on Zenzi, the villain in Coates’ Black Panther. With the power to enhance people’s emotions, Zenzi is on her way to incite a rebellion in the once peaceful nation of Wakanda. As the first comic to shed a spotlight on the women in Wakanda, it’s definitely well worth the read. On top of women being in the spotlight for the series, they’re also working behind-the-scenes as Alitha E. Martinez provided the art for the World of Wakanda and poet Yona Harvey pens Zenzi’s story with art from Afua Richardson. (Gay and Harvey are the first black women to write for Marvel.)
Invincible Iron Man (Marvel Comics)
Author: Brian Michael Bendis; Artist: Stefano Caselli Year
Published: 2016 (ongoing)
Issues/Trades Available: Four issues (fifth issue comes out on March 22)
In the latest Iron Man iteration, penned by comics writer extraordinaire, Brian Michael Bendis, 15-year-old Riri Williams takes on the red and gold iron suit in Invincible Iron Man. Not only is Riri an M.I.T. student from Chicago, she’s also got a righteous (and jealousy-worthy) afro. After her best friend is shot-and-killed in a random drive-by, the young genius decides to use her mind to defend the world as Ironheart. Unlike the billionaire-bred Iron Man, the young Chicagoan has seen the harshness of the world from a young age. But similar to Tony Stark, she’s willing to put in the work to stop others from getting hurt. With a little help from a holographic version of Stark to get her tech together, Riri is able to fight against local street crime and the big bads alike. As the series kicks off in Chicago, there’s plenty of space for political discussion as well as for black girl magic.
Concrete Park (Dark Horse Books)
Author: Erika Alexander; Artist: Tony Puryear
Year Published: 2014 (ongoing)
Issues/Trades Available: Two trades (next trade’s release date is unknown)
There are few things bougie black women love more than the '90s sitcom Living Single. So this series by the show’s own Erika Alexander, who played Maxine Shaw, should be a hit with everyone. The sci-fi series follows two women, Luca and Lena, as they journey through a far-off dystopian world known as Scare City that serves as a dumping ground for Earth’s criminals and rejects. Together, Luca and Lena hustle to stay alive as they’re threatened by different violent gangs who are always seeking power through securing their territory or looking to acquire more. The series also explores mental health issues and loneliness as it’s unclear whether Lena is actually a real person or just a figment of Luca’s imagination. But one thing is for sure, between her blue eyes and tongue, it’s clear that Lena is not human. Alexander’s husband, Tony Puryear, provides the artwork for the series.
Bitch Planet (Image Comics)
Author: Kelly Sue DeConnick; Artist: Valentine De Landro
Year Published: 2014 (ongoing)
Issues/Trades Available: Nine issues (one trade + four issues are out, second trade comes out in June)
In the world of Bitch Planet, most “bad and boujee” women would end up in jail. The series, penned by Kelly Sue DeConnick, follows a group of women who were thrown in jail for being “non-compliant.” This can include being too opinionated, not complying with patriarchal views or not conforming to beauty standards. But it’s not long before these so-called “unruly women” are plotting their escape. It’s like Orange is The New Black with a ‘70s prison exploitation edge. Overall it makes for a top notch sci-fi series for feminists all around and takes readers on a fascinating ride on the “bitch planet” amongst the stars.
Genius (Top Cow Productions)
Author: Adam Freeman, Marc Bernardin; Artist: Afua Richardson
Year Published: 2014 (ended in May 2015)
Issues/Trades Available: One trade
Genius’ main character, Destiny, may not be bougie but she certainly is bad. Hailing from South Central, L.A., this young black woman fights to become the queenpin by securing three blocks in her neighborhood. (According to the Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman, the series’ creators, she has a military mind on par with Alexander the Great and Napoleon.) And as a the leader of a group of gangbangers, we wouldn’t be surprised if we find her “cooking up dope with an uzi.” In the cover alone, Destiny is seen wielding a gun straight forward as she confidently lays naked on the floor with only a strip of police caution tape loosely, yet, strategically wrapped around her. Now, that’s having agency over your body. Afua Richardson (World of Wakanda) also lent her art skills to the Top Cow series.
Justice League of America: Vixen Rebirth (DC Comics)
Author: Jody Houser, Steve Orlando; Artist: Jamal Campbell
Year Published: 2017 (ended)
Issues/Trades Available: One issue
Along with her animated web series, DC Comics’ Vixen, or Mari Jiwe McCabe, is joining the ranks of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and more as her “rebirth” issue was released earlier this year. The “rebirth” series allows DC to revamp storylines and reintroduce fans to both popular and little-known characters. Vixen is one of the latter but she’s rapidly growing up in the ranks of well-known superheroes. The stylish crime fighter is a well renowned businesswoman, advocate for social justice and a Justice League of America member. And since her powers include the ability to harness the power of animals, she can literally be savage. The one-issue series chronicles Vixen’s backstory as she turns from a spoiled kid to a force that’s not to be reckoned with. Readers can dig deeper into Vixen’s story by checking out the five-issue series, Vixen: Return of the Lion, following the rest of her story in Justice League of America: Rebirth or catching an alternate version of Vixen (Amaya Jiwe) in CW’s Legends of Tomorrow.
Batgirl (DC Comics)
Author: Hope Larson; Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Year Published: 2016 (ongoing)
Issues/Trades Available: 8 issues (9th issue comes out on March 22; first trade comes out on March 28)
For the most part of Batgirl’s lore, she’s been anything but boujee. But the latest iteration of the character’s series is filled with burn books, selfies and popular bars in a hip part of Gotham dubbed Burnside. But now, the Gotham crime fighter is growing up and leaving the popular side of town to jetset to Japan to begin a backpacking trip across Asia. But when she arrives in Japan and meets up with an old friend (and possible future beau), Kai, things turn upside down as she attempts to uncover who the mysterious “teacher” is and the reason he or she is sending minions to attack Kai. But it’s not that easy for Batgirl. During her travels, Batgirl also finds herself in hostels, luxury hotels under suspicious scenarios and an MMA ring.
Kindred (Abrams Books)
Author: Octavia Butler (adapted by Damian Duffy); Artist: John Jennings
Year Published: 2017 (ended)
Issues/Trades Available: One trade
Whether you went to a HBCU or PWI, it’d be a crime to not have picked up Octavia Butler’s Kindred, especially now that it’s been adapted into a graphic novel. Similar to the sci-fi novel of the same name, Damian Duffy and John Jennings’ adaptation follows Dana, a time-traveler who transports between the South during pre-Civil War times and her home in California during the 1970s. The 1979 novel is often praised for its afrofuturistic themes and exploration of black womanhood that would later provide the framework for projects like Beyonce’s Lemonade as both show the transcendence of black women’s past, present and future from a personal and political perspective. (It was also listed in the “Lemonade Syllabus” along with another one of Butler’s novels, Parable of the Sower.) Janelle Monae also named the late author as one of her inspirations in an interview with Rolling Stone. As one of the first black women to rise to success in the white-male dominated sci-fi industry, Butler was a trailblazer. While Kindred was released nearly 40 years ago, its exploration of black womanhood and afrofuturism proves to be as relevant today as it was then. And now, with the added imagery, the graphic novel certainly isn’t short on capturing the same sentiment as the original.
Jade Street Protection Services (Black Mask Studios)
Author: Katy Rex and Fabian Lelay; Artist: Fabian Lelay
Year Published: 2016 (ongoing)
Issues/Trades Available: Four issues (unknown when next issue will get released; not a monthly series.)
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For the bad and boujee women who grew up on Sailor Moon, Jade Street Protection Services is often billed as a cross between the ‘90s anime and The Breakfast Club. In the series, which is up to its fourth issue, a group of girls are often finding themselves in trouble at Matsdotter Academy, a private school for magical girls. They ignore all of the rules while skipping class (and detention) in favor of kebabs and froyo. But when the five-part crew discover that their school has ulterior motives for them, they band together to do what all rebels do—fight against the system. In this case, they discover that one of their teachers are secretly selling them off to be wives so it’s down with the patriarchy in this comic. The fun and diverse series, which features girls of different ethnicities, religious beliefs and sexual orientation, is co-created by Katy Rex and Fabian Lelay. There’s also a preview of the series Kim & Kim at the end of the first issue. It follows two women, one cisgender, the other transgender, as they work together as bounty hunters in space.