With every year that passes I see a growth in racial representation within Geek and creative culture. We’re seeing Black faces and voices within video games, books, film, anime, comics, and cartoons. In addition to diversity, we’re seeing variety within the kinds of stories being told. It’s great to see representation within the realms of fantasy and adventure. What’s most exciting is the prospect of entertainment featuring complex Black men and women with something for every age. Representation matters and we will doubtlessly feel the effects in years to come. The following is by no means a complete list but merely a highlight reel to inspire those who are looking for great stories with Black characters.

Video Games

Deathloop

From Arkane Studios (Dishonored, Prey) comes Deathloop, a funkadelic spy thriller with a time travel twist. Players take control of Colt, an assassin stuck in a time loop who has been tasked to take out eight targets called Visionaries across the island before midnight. Leaving even one target alive will cause the time loop to reset and undo Colt’s wetwork. Thwarting Colt at every turn is the mysterious and taunting Julianna Blake. The world of Deathloop feels right at home with the stylized action cinema of  Quentin Tarantino or Guy Ritchie. The gameplay builds upon what worked in Dishonored with a combination of stealth, parkour, attack skills, guns, gadgets, and powers.

Valorant

Developed by Riot Games (League of Legends) Valorant is a 5 vs 5 character-based tactical shooter. Valorant sports cool characters from across the globe with eye-catching designs informed by Riot’s blend of anime and American comics. Players will take control of an international Agent assigned to either a defending or attacking team of 5. Each of the 18 Agents have unique “signature abilities” in addition to an arsenal of tactical guns. The game is set in the near future and judging by Riot’s world-building within League of Legends, Valorant could expand into a sprawling scifi world of international espionage.