The Black Mage is a 2019 graphic novel written by one Daniel Barnes with art by D.J. Kirkland, released by Oni Press.
Set in a fantasy world that slowly coming off of segregation of white and black people, the story follows the hero, Tom Token, who's been invited to the mystical school of St. Ivory Academy of Spellcraft and Sorcery, the first black student at the school in an effort to include more minorities.
Tom's introduction is...a little more then awkward as the student body there haven't had much interaction of someone of another color and going off a lot of rumors. One who is willing to try to discern fact from fiction is one Lindsay Whitethorn who wishes to be his friend and know him better.
However Tom didn't just come because he was accepted, he's on a mission to find out the secret hidden in the school. But likewise must contend with malicious forces whose prejudice thought process still remain.
While its lead does wield magic, this has nothing to do with the trope Black Mage, which is just about mages in general regardless of race or color.
Tropes
- And the Adventure Continues: Lynch is beaten, St. Ivory is destroyed, the souls of the black students that were sacrificed are freed and the KKK chapter there is defeated (and possibly learn a lesson from all of this). Despite having made friends with Lindsay, Tom decides to continue on his journey with Jim for more adventure wherever they may take him.
- Big Damn Heroes
- Harriet Tubman and Fredrick Douglas save Tom and Lindsay from a magical suit of armor when they follow the headmaster to a secret chamber.
- Jim, Tom's crow familiar, distracts the teacher battling Lindsay to allowing her time to get in close and finally knock her out.
- Lindsay stops Alexis from trying to to blast Tom while he's fighting Lynch in the finale.
- Animesque: The style has a bit of a anime vibe to it.
- Dirty Coward: Bryce is shown to be a good fighter, but he's utterly weak-willed, going along with his father and Alexis's machinations to get their approval. When he's on the losing end, he crumples quickly.
- Dungeon Bypass: When Tom, Lindsay, Harriet and Fredrick encounter Bryce, he leads them to a chess board, expecting Tom to play his game in order to proceed. Tom simply blasts the board pieces.
- Fantastic Racism: The comic deals alot with racism and prejudice as, save for Lindsay, near all of St. Ivory is prejudiced against people of color and even use the souls of black students to power their school.
- In the Hood: The KKK naturally wear hoodies, even the nurse for some silly reason.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Tom takes awhile to warm up to Lindsay, pointing out the dean of the school only started his ethical program to save face with the changing world and not out of the goodness of his heart. But eventually notes that Lindsay genuinely means well and that he likewise need to be more open-minded to people that wish to help.
- Kung-Fu Wizard: A lot of the fights are a combination of wizardry and physical contact.
- Obviously Evil: Seriously the headmaster is named Lynch...in comic about racism and prejudices. And this is before we see him in hooded garb.
- Overlord Jr.: Bryce is revealed to by Lynch's son in the second chapter. So naturally he and Tom go into conflict immediately as soon as they meet each other.
- Powered by a Forsaken Child: It's revealed St. Ivory is powered by the souls of black people. Tom nearly has this process done to him but luckily Henry's hammer allows him to break free from the process as well as free the other souls.
- Psycho Ex-Boyfriend: Flavor dialogue reveal that Lindsey and Bryce used to date until he dumped her for Alexis. As you can imagine, Lindsey has a bit of animosity with him over it.
- Punny Name: The title, which is about a mage...who's also black. Har har.
- Rise from Your Grave:: Bryce summons some confederate soldier zombie to deal with the heroes.
- Shout-Out: The elemental spells cast by the characters are Firaga, Blizzaga, and Thundaga.
- Token Good Teammate: Lindsay eventually comes to realize all of the student body are being brainwashed on racial prejudices and is the only one who willingly aids Tom on his quest.
- Train-Station Goodbye: The story ends with Lindsay and the ghosts of the black students seeing Tom and Jim off as they board a train and waving goodbye as it pulls out.
- Trash the Set: Without the Crystal having black souls to power it, the island holding the school starts to crumble. Tom destroys it completely when he lands the final blow on Lynch with Henry's hammer.
- A Twinkle in the Sky: Tom knocks one of the clan members set against him into the sky in the final fight.
- Why Won't You Die?: ... which Lynch asks when he engages in combat against him.Lynch: You! It's always you!' How many times do I have to kill you Henry!Henry/Tom: I dunno how many days of detention am I gonna get for whoopun your ass!
- "You!" Exclamation: Lynch to the spirit of John Henry in Tom who has come back to avenge his loss against him. This is followed by...
