Lobo #1 (1965)
Story and art credits: Unknown
First appearance of Lobo (not to be confused with DCs Lobo) in five-part story “First Signs of Trouble”; “On the Trail”; “The Brand Sticks”; “An Old ‘Friend'”; and “A Sad Ending”. When an innocent ranch hand is accused of killing his boss, he decides to take the law in his own hands and goes on a crusade of justice. (via mycomicshop.com)
Notes
Dell Comics’ release of Lobo #1 in December 1965 marks a pivotal moment in comic book history. This groundbreaking issue holds the distinction of being the first comic book to feature an African-American character as the headlining star.
Introducing Lobo, a compelling Black cowboy navigating the American West, this comic challenged the prevailing norms of the time. While Black characters in comics were not entirely absent before, their depictions often fell into harmful racist stereotypes or positioned them as secondary figures to white protagonists. Lobo #1 shattered this mold, boldly presenting a Black hero at the forefront of his own thrilling adventures.
Published during the intense period of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, Lobo’s debut carried a significant, even if unintended, message about representation in popular culture. In a medium largely dominated by white narratives and heroes, Lobo offered a crucial alternative perspective and a powerful hero of color.
Despite its innovative nature and historical importance, the initial run of Lobo was unfortunately brief, concluding after only two issues. Racial prejudice among retailers and the readership of the era contributed to its limited success.
This was a common response to several comic book titles that featured Black protagonists. Learn about Weird Fantasy #18 (1953) and All-Negro Comics (1947).
Nevertheless, Lobo #1 endures as a vital artifact, representing an early, albeit short-lived, stride toward greater diversity in comic book storytelling. It serves as a poignant reminder of the historical context of the medium and the ongoing journey toward truly inclusive representation.
Today, Lobo #1 and #2 are considered grails amongst Black comic collectors. Copies in fair condition or better usually start at $500. The average CGC 9.0 goes for more than $1000.
