Jenny Blake Isabella, the creator of DC Comics’ series Black Lightning, has come out as transgender. The comic writer came out in a blog post made to her personal website where she also answered fan questions.

While her preferred name is Jenny, she said that she doesn’t consider her old name, Tony Isabella, a deadname. She will continue to write under both names and to present herself as Tony Isabella for most events this year.

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Isabella is credited as the writer who created the character Black Lightning along with the comic series in 1977, in collaboration with artist Trevor Von Eeden. Black Lightning was DC’s first African American superhero to headline his series and is often considered one of the first mainstream African-American superheroes.

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On February 9, Isabella posted to X an image that said, “Keep calm and yes I’m transgender” along with a message stating that her announcement was indeed real and to asking for privacy for her and her family.

Shortly after, she revealed her preferred name Facebook along with the details about how she’d use her old name. She later posted a photo of a Christmas ornament a friend made her soon after she revealed her new name.

Isabella also announcced that she attended her first hair appointment at the Green Opal Salon.

Afterward, the 73-year-old posted on X that, although coming out “was one of the scariest things I have ever done,” Isabella has been happy with the love and support her fanbase has shown her.

On Tuesday, February 11, Isabella created a blog post on her website answering fan questions, discussing how she chose her name and her decision to also use her former professional name.

“I’ve always liked the name Jenny,” she explained. “Blake comes from Marvel’s Doctor Don. Once a Marvel maniac, always a Marvel maniac.”

“I don’t consider ‘Tony Isabella’ to be a deadname,” she continued. “I’ve written a lot of good stories and other things under that name and done a lot of good for people. I plan to continue writing under that name and my preferred name. DC Comics asked if I wanted them to change my credits on the DC website and any future reprints of my work to my new name or if they should keep the backlist credits as is and use Jenny for any new work that I do. Darn thoughtful of them.”

In this blog, Isabella also revealed her plans to write a new comic series headlined by a transgender superhero.

“What am I working on? I have created a new trans super-hero,” Isabella wrote. “I love her more every day. I think she can be a contemporary Peter Parker for queer and straight kids alike. The initial pitch is ready to go to any publisher or other partner ready to work out a fair and mutually beneficial agreement. I’m not interested in giving up creative control of this new character or selling all rights to her.”

Isabella’s flagship series Black Lightning is cited as being a major turning point when it came to representation in media as not many Black heroes were represented in media.

Around its debut, the series provided commentary on issues facing the Black community during ’70s (that remain relevant today) such as police brutality, racial poverty, and generational trauma. The comics’ titular hero is later revealed to have a lesbian female daughter with her own superpowers who calls herself Thunder.

Isabella’s new trans superhero series could follow the same pattern in exploring issues facing the transgender community. 

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