Story Title: Dart
Issue No: 1
Story and Script: Julie Ditrich and Bruce Love
Pencils: Jozef Szekeres
Colours: In Color
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover and Alternate Cover: Jozef Szekeres
Blood Chic Pin Up: Colleen Doran
Editor: Erik Larsen
Genre: Superhero
Synopsis: When a daring rescue thrusts a mysterious vigilante into the national spotlight, Dart becomes an overnight media sensation and an unexpected symbol of hope. But fame comes at a price. As an opportunistic toy manufacturer exploits her image for profit without her consent, Dart discovers that becoming a hero means confronting more than just the criminals on Detroit’s streets.

The Story Behind the Story: In 1995, Image Comics publisher and creator Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon, Freak Force) commissioned the creative team at Black Mermaid Productions (BMP) to develop a three-issue “Year One” origin story for one of his favourite characters, Dart. I was part of the writing team that collaborated on the project.

The brief included two key creative challenges: a pivotal bar-room confrontation in which Dart is forced to embrace her emerging superhero identity, and a story exploring the significance of her name and sense of self. Beyond those foundations, BMP was given considerable creative freedom to shape the series.

That freedom led to the introduction of an unlikely team of aspiring superheroes known as Blood Chic, together with their equally unconventional rivals, Vogue Attack, adding humour and unpredictability to Dart’s origin.

The first issue was recognised in Wizard magazine’s Top 100 comics for the month. While the mini-series presents a speculative origin for Dart and is not considered part of the official continuity, it remains an enjoyable opportunity to explore one of Erik Larsen’s favourite characters.