In 2021, DC Comics announced The Milestone Initiative, a new program built out of the groundbreaking Milestone Media imprint. The Milestone Initiative would bring together young Black and other diverse comic creators to be mentored by established creatives such as Denys Cowan and Reginald Hudlin. Since Milestone Media revolutionized representation for Black and other marginalized groups in comics, the Milestone Initiative would continue the spirit of the company for a new generation. Now, DC has released a 100-page anthology special created by the first class of the Milestone Initiative: New Talent Showcase: The Milestone Initiative #1.
The parameters of the stories in the anthology were simple: the stories had to be set in the Milestone Universe, also known as the Dakotaverse, a separate entity from the DC Universe. As such, this is the anthology’s greatest strength, though in some places, it feels like a restriction. Since there are 12 different stories in this 100-page anthology, some may find it repetitive when the same Dakotaverse characters keep appearing without a substantial change in story perspective. That said, New Talent Showcase: The Milestone Initiative #1 is a rock-solid explosion of passion showcasing some of the most promising young voices in comics.
This idea is present throughout the anthology, particularly in “Blood in the Water” (written by Cheryl Lynn Eaton, pencils by Atagun Ilhan, inks by Wade Von Grawbadger, and colors by Bryan Valenza), “What’s Left Behind” (written by Morgan Hampton, pencils by Tiah Ankum, inks by Jose Marzan Jr., and colors by Chris Sotomayor), and “The Hate You Live” (written by Jerome Rhett, pencils by Petterson Oliveira, inks by Wade Von Grawbadger, and colors by Hi-Fi).
“Blood in the Water” focuses on Aquamaria, a former member of the Blood Syndicate, and brings to life the sense of conflict felt by metahumans in the Dakotaverse. Writer Cheryl Lynn Eaton packs a ton of character into a few succinct lines, and will undoubtedly make fans hungry for more stories from Aquamaria’s perspective in the future. Atagun Ilhan’s art complements Eaton’s lyrical writing, capturing the scale of Aquamaria’s powers while still feeling emotionally intimate in closeups.
Likewise, “The Hate You Live” is a blend of kinetic action with deep, emotional catharsis. DC would be wise to put writer Jerome Rhett on a book featuring Metallo or Orion. In just eight pages, Rhett paints a three-dimensional portrait of rage, elegantly skirting the lines between “hero” and “villain” as the story explores the hidden pain that underlies fury. Petterson Oliveira’s art nails the story’s action beats as well as its emotional ones, making “The Hate You Live” a standout story in the anthology. As comic fans, we come to this medium to be entertained, but also to feel, reflect, and empathize. “The Hate You Live” embodies this potential.
Similarly, “What’s Left Behind” is a moving take on a ghost story. Though the story never goes full-blown gothic horror, thanks to Tiah Ankum’s grounded art, Morgan Hampton’s writing invites fans to imagine Rocket in a more supernatural setting. This is precisely what makes anthologies so enjoyable: seeing creators present unique visions of a familiar character. Given how Batman has been re-interpreted dozens of times across different genres over the years, why shouldn’t Rocket or any other Milestone character experience the same? Hopefully, fans can see Hampton and Ankum unite on a Rocket story in the future. Fans of Guillermo del Toro’s film, The Devil’s Backbone, absolutely should not miss this one.
Overall, New Talent Showcase: The Milestone Initiative #1 is an enjoyable read for any Milestone and DC fan, especially those who grew up watching Static Shock. It is not difficult to see why characters like Hardware, Icon and Rocket, Static, and more continue to resonate with creators and fans today. Fans eager to find new talent to support will easily find at least one creator or two within this anthology to keep an eye out for. New Talent Showcase: The Milestone Initiative #1 proves why Milestone Media continues to improve the world of comics today.
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