BLACK SCORPION

BLACK SCORPION

Black Scorpion issue 1, began April 1991. Dave Darrigo had gotten to know Ron Fortier while the two were writing Green Hornet stories for Now Comics in Chicago. When the Green Hornet was discontinued Dave conceived the idea of a black man in a “Green Hornet” role and called him “Black Scorpion”. Fortier created the hero’s sidekick “Dart”. The product was published by Dave’s company Special Studio.

Each issue had two stories. Dave and Ron each separately wrote one story for each issue. Darrigo wrote “Knight of Justice”, “Roar of the Lions” and “The Blackmailer’s Auction”. Fortier wrote “ Double Take”, “A Game for Old Men” and “The Ravenia Ripper”. They assumed the common pseudonym of “George Stryker” for writer.

The illustrators were Peter Grau for “Knight of Justice” and “The Black Mailer’s Auction”. Scott Dutton of Calgary for pencils and Jim Scott for inks did “Double Take”. Chris Jones illustrated “A Game for Old Men”. Brian B. Chin did “Roar of the Lions” and “The Ravenia Ripper”.

The last issue of Black Scorpion was number 3 dated October 1991.

Black Scorpion reappeared about ten years after Special Studio ceased to exist. A Toronto literary agent contacted Dave with the proposal to sell Special Studio properties to film/TV producers who were interested in independently created comic book characters. As a result, the Darrigo-Grau team (Paul McCusker helped with lettering) created a mini promotional comic of the Black Scorpion character but called it “Blue Scorpion” because there was now a T.V. character called “Black Scorpion”. Blue Scorpion’s” assistant teenager, “Dart” who had been created by Fortier was changed to “Eddie Navarro” nicknamed “Stinger”. Navarro”, an unemployed mechanic had saved “Blue Scorpion’s” investigative journalist “Anita Ford” and so “Blue Scorpion” hired him in his “Ben Wright” alter ego.

Unfortunately, the sale of Special Studio properties never materialized and so this promotion remains the only story of Blue Scorpion.

MEDIUM:

BOOK GRAPHIC:

Blue Scorpion a promotional mini comic. Writer, Dave Darrigo. Illus. Peter Grau: 1-4.

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC                                                                                                  Published by Special Studio. Colour cover. Black & white interior.

Content serial & Cover front, illus., Peter Grau.:

Black Scorpion, 1, Apr. 1991:                                                                                                      “Knight of Justice.” Writ., G. Stryker (Dave Darrigo). Illus. Steve LeBlanc: 1-16.                “Double Take.” Writer, George Stryker (Ron Fortier). Pen., Scott Dutton. In., Jim               Scott.: 17-32.

Content serial & Cover front, illus., Brian Chin:

Black Scorpion, 2, July 1991: 1-16:                                                                                             “A Game for Old Men.” Writer, G. Stryker (R. Fortier). Illus. Chris Jones: 1-16.                 “Roar of the Lions.” Writer, G. Stryker (Dave Darrigo). Illus. Brian Chin: 17-32.

Content serial & Cover front, illus., Peter Grau; back, illus., Chris Jones.

Black Scorpion 3, Oct. 1991: 1-16.                                                                                               “Black Mailer’s Auction.” Writ., G. Stryker (Dave Darrigo). Illus. Peter. Grau: 1-16.           “The Ravenia Ripper.” Writ., George Stryker (Ron Fortier). Illus. Brian Chin: 17-32.

SOURCE:

Interview:

Interviews and Correspondence with Dave Darrigo.

GALLERY:

 

C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON B\BLACK SCORPION, Black Scorpion, 1, Apr. 1991, 15.jpgBlack Scorpion, 1, April 1991: “Knight Of Justice.” Illus., Steve Leblanc:15.

C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON B\BLACK SCORPION, Black Scorpion, 3, Oct. 1991, fc.jpgBlack Scorpion, 3, October 1991: Front cover. Illus., Peter Grau:

C:\Users\Robert\Documents\CARTOONING ILLUSTRATION ANIMATION\IMAGE CARTOON\IMAGE CARTOON B\BLACK SCORPION, Black Scorpion, 3, Oct. 1991, 15.jpgBlack Scorpion, 3, October 1991: “Blackmailer’s Auction.” Illus., Peter Grau: 15.