Where power, identity, and justice collide.
Hey there — and welcome.
I’m glad you’re here. I’m an African American writer crafting a story that’s close to the bone — bold, layered, and unapologetically rooted in the truths many of us live and feel. My recently released graphic novel series, Born Pariah, invites young adults and comic lovers alike into a world that feels both extraordinary and all too real.
Four years ago, the nation was shaken when black youth in urban Atlanta began to exhibit unexplainable superhuman abilities. These individuals — now known as Variants — have since tried to live peacefully among us, many choosing to remain hidden in the shroud of everyday life.
But peace is fragile.
Led by conservative Senator John, a growing wave of fear and political pressure has begun to swell. He calls them “pariah.” He warns of danger. And the country listens.
When an unarmed black teen Variant dies in police custody, grief explodes into outrage. The fragile calm breaks. A radical faction of Variants calling themselves the Fam refuses to stay silent — and they’re ready to strike back.
Caught in the eye of this storm is Jules, a community youth director and a quiet mentor to a small group of Variants. While the world edges closer to chaos, Jules fights to guide his mentees toward peace — even as they face mounting pressure to choose sides.
This is a story about power: how it’s seen, who’s allowed to have it, and what happens when the world fears those who do.
Born Pariah is more than just a graphic novel. It’s a story of rebellion and resilience, of being misunderstood and underestimated — and rising anyway. It’s a reflection of our times through a speculative lens, one that questions what it truly means to be dangerous in a world already on fire.
Thanks for being here.
This is just the beginning.
Stay tuned. Stay awake. Stay Variant.
— B Rich
