A new Vigilante is coming to DC Comics
DC Comics introduces new Vigilante
Vigilante has been one of those DC characters that’s always been cool. Whether the cowboy gunslinger Greg Saunders or costume clad Adrian Chase the character just clicked. Now inspired by current news headlines, DC is introducing a new version of the character and he’s unlike any we’ve seen before.
The Vigilante: Southland is a six-issue miniseries set in the seedy backstreets of Los Angeles. Gary Phillips (Vertigo’s COWBOYS, Violent Spring, Perdition U.S.A.) with artist Elena Casagrande, colorist Giulia Brusco will be bringing DC’s new hero to action with covers by Mitch Gerads (Vertigo’s SHERIFF OF BABYLON). The comic arrives in stores Oct. 5.
DC’s synopsis sounds pretty interesting:
THE VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND is the story of Donny Fairchild, a failed NBA player who’s just making ends meet as a maintenance man. When his girlfriend stumbles on a conspiracy to steal water rights through a series of shady land-development deals, she’s mysteriously murdered. Once Donny starts getting too close to the cause of her death, his house is blown up and he’s left for dead. Determined to bring the killers to justice, Donny undergoes training from an urban legend known as the Eastsider to become a masked vigilante.
‘This take on Vigilante incorporates current social and political issues, making THE VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND both relevant and contemporary, which sounds like an incredible direction to take new stories featuring this character,’ said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio in a statement. ‘Gary’s experience with crime fiction will give Vigilante an edginess and grittiness that hasn’t been seen before.’
‘THE VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND is incredibly relevant to our times,’ said writer Gary Phillips in a statement. ‘It’s a politically tinged story that touches on a myriad of contemporary issues, such as gun violence, class struggle and Black Lives Matter. The book also provides me an opportunity to contemporize classic issues/tropes, like the fight over water rights in Southern California. I’m very excited to show readers this character, reimagined for the 21st century.’
With Donny, Mosaic and Riri Williams black comic book fans are starting to see a lot more characters representing them. I’m excited to read these upcoming titles as it’s definitely an amazing trend going on in the Big Two.
Image Credit: DC Comics