Despite the ongoing pandemic and dwindling comic sales, 2020 proved to be an interesting year for DC Comics. While long-held secrets were revealed, important characters died, and the entire multiverse was reshaped in the pages of comic books, real-world creators lost their jobs as the industry struggled to grapple with COVID-19. Much like the characters they create though, the comic industry is moving into the new year with a sense of hope, and based on what's been announced, fans have every reason to be just as optimistic for DC in 2021.
Future State
DC's big event for 2021 is sense of optimism coming as a refreshing change of pace after such a difficult year. Though all of Future State promises to tell exciting new stories about some of the most famous characters in the world, a few of the new characters deserve special mention.
Yara Flor
An immediate standout among the of Future State: Justice League is the new Wonder Girl, Yara Flor. While Yara isn't the first woman of color to the Brazilian woman ing Wonder Woman for some time as a recent Wonder Woman storyline saw a new tribe of Amazons being discovered, fittingly, near the actual Amazon River. South America's largest river will play an important role in Yara's life too, as she will eventually learn she is actually a Brazillian River Goddess. Her design just oozes personality, conveying confidence, and excitement at being a superhero. Yara isn't the only character showing DC's future is diverse though.
Jess Chambers
Originally going by Kid Quick, Flash. Not much is known about the character at this time beyond the fact that the Flash's often forgotten female sidekick, Jesse Quick, is their aunt and that they're from Earth-11. Still, even with the little information that readers do have, the prospect of a non-binary hero is exciting, especially considering Flash is one of DC's most well known and visible heroes outside of their trinity. Instead of being about the future, Future State actually seems more focused on reflecting the diversity we see in the present. Luckily for comic fans of all identities, DC is celebrating diversity with more than just Future State.
Milestone Returns
When it premiered in the mid-1990s, Milestone comics was one of the ambitious ideas ever pursued by a comic company. By having African American creators telling stories about African American superheroes, Milestone expanded what could be done with a comic book. Seeing the popularity, DC has attempted to bring its characters like Milestone's return was announced in a big event right alongside blockbuster movies and multi-million dollar games. Additionally, most of Milestone's original creators are being brought on in either creative or consulting roles. Fans of the Static Shock series aren't the only ones seeing more love for an influential series.
Red X
The Robin whose identity was never revealed. This character represented Robin's mistakes and his brief flirtation with evil, making him a rival who didn't just challenge Robin physically, but morally as well, and people who grew up with the animated series have more than just Red X to look forward to.
Teen Titans Academy
The thing which immediately jumps out about DC's relaunch of Teen Titans is that it simultaneously appeals to nostalgia while still doing something new. The new series' premise is that Nightwing, Starfire, and Donna Troy are opening a school to teach the next generation of DC heroes. Seemingly a callback to the similarly themed early 2000's run of Teen Titans, this premise gives readers an opportunity to see both old favorites and newer characters who haven't had as much opportunity to shine. The fact that it's reuniting the team from the Teen Titans animated series only makes it all the more attention-grabbing for those who grew up with it. 2021 will see DC looking to do more than just appeal to long-time comic fans though.
Young Adult Graphic Novels
Far from a new development, DC has been publishing young adult graphic novels for a few years now. Despite a handful of middling or average books, these reinventions of classic DC characters have been mostly successful, with many standout books. 2021 is already shaping up to be another strong year for these Young Adult books. With titles like Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend, I Am Not Starfire, and Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven teenage readers will have plenty of opportunities to read continuity-free stories about some of DC's most unique heroes. The YA graphic novels seem symbolic of DC Comics in 2021 as a whole. Stories about a diverse cast of characters that will appeal equally to people who have read comics for thirty years and people who have never read a single comic in their life.
