Michigan-based artist Nikolas Draper-Ivey has crafted a crop of variant covers that DC Comics will be releasing in honor of Black History Month. Nikolas Draper-Ivey has masterminded the latest iteration of Milestone’s Static character, having served as the co-writer and artist of both Static: Season One, and Static: Shadows of Dakota.
Now, Draper-Ivey’s dazzling artwork encompasses an anime-inspired aesthetic that he has brought to DC’s 2024 Black History Month variant cover lineup. Each of the following covers and their accompanying comics will be on sale throughout the month of February, but they also will be available for pre-order at participating comic bookshops beginning November 17.
All art by Nikolas Draper-Ivey can be viewed below and above.
Static Artist/Writer Crafts New Black History Month Covers for DC
Draper-Ivey has unveiled his unique vision for the following characters: Steel/Natasha Irons, Batwing, Kid Flash/Wallace West, Green Lantern/John Stewart, Mr. Terrific, Nubia, and Green Arrow/Connor Hawke. Each respective character cover will be attached to comics releasing throughout February. First, February 13 will see the releases of Action Comics #1060, Outsiders #4, and Speed Force #4. February 20 will be seeing Jay Garrick: The Flash #5, Titans #8, and Wonder Woman #6 coming out. Finally, Green Arrow #9 will be dropping on February 27. It’s also worth noting that all of this comes off the heels of DC announcing its next DC Power anthology for 2024, which will celebrate the publisher’s Black heroes.
DC’s Black History Covers Uplift New Voices
On top of celebrating a monumental month for the Black community, DC’s Black History Month variant lineup is a great way to uplift underseen, overlooked voices. One of those voices is Nikolas Draper-Ivey, who receives a much-deserved spotlight from this lineup. Ever since the first issue released last February, Draper-Ivey’s Static: Shadows of Dakota has quietly been one of DC’s best books of 2023. However, it continues to be overlooked, underseen, and for many, some may not have even heard of it. The reason is because it doesn’t have the same wide brand recognition/attention as a Batman or Superman title, or even a Green Lantern or Flash.
Attaching Draper-Ivey’s name to more popular characters brings attention to what he’s done more recently with Static and even to himself as someone who garnered a cult following on social media. By proxy, it also puts a spotlight on some of DC’s more underrated characters. Many fans are familiar with the likes of Cyborg and John Stewart’s Green Lantern, but not everyone may be as familiar with Connor Hawke or Natasha Irons. Highlighting them in such an important lineup can be a gateway for fans to meet their new favorite heroes.
Nikolas Draper-Ivey and DC Comics’ lineup of Black History Month variant covers are available for pre-order beginning Friday, November 17; visit participating comic book shops for ordering details.
