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I know that I’m not the only one who has thought about Black folks on different planets. This government is circling the drain, and for folx like myself with as many intersections in my identity, Aliah Sheffield’s Earth is Ghetto has been my theme song. It’s about a grifter who runs the American government while oppressing marginalized communities with targeted, fascist policies. Most people can’t afford to exist, let alone save enough to travel. Since traveling is out of the question for a lot of us, when we do travel, we all ask ourselves, “DO THEY LIKE NI-?!” So yeah, this place is ghetto and I want to leave. But, I realized that any new world I go to will most likely be terrifying, so until I find the courage, I will continue to dream about Black folkx living amongst the stars.
If you feel the same way I do, here are 10 books that’ll challenge you to imagine Black folks existing on different planets. At this point, I’ll consider anything to get far away from this dumpster fire called Earth.
I always show love to indie creatives, so I had to start with the Xiveri Mates romantasy series. This universe features Black women as the main characters and love interests, making book #5, Taken to Kor, my absolute favorite. The way Stephens invokes community and accountability in the conversations between the male aliens will always have a special place in my heart.
Tartarus Vol 1. by Johnnie Christmas, Art Jack T. Cole, Letterer Jim Campbell
You’ll never meet a more badass mom in your life. Never ever. She is broken out of jail by the main character (who happens to be her daughter), and her record of destruction is something to admire in these trying times.
Escaping Exodus Symbiosis by Nicky Drayden
This is one of the weirdest yet most fascinating stories I have read to date. And while I’m terrified to read the sequel, I don’t wish to sully my near-perfect experience of reading this story.
Binti: The Complete Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor
There is a reason Binti is widely recommended. The prose, world building, and characters will have you invested in Binti’s success!
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
Author Rivers Solomon delivers a somber yet hopeful tale of rebellion on a ship carrying the last of humanity. The autism rep, the Black social justice themes, and political intrigue will have you SAT!!
Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown
If you need a friendly reminder that space is actually scary and maybe you should not leave this ghetto planet, here it is!!!! Something that isn’t human lies in this spaceship, and it’s taking everyone OUT.
Black Star by Eric Anthony Glover, Art by Arielle Jovellanos
Even amongst the stars, people are messy and toxic. And you can still hate their very existence while they are fighting for their life.
Do You Dream of Terra Two? By Temi Oh
The most diverse cast of the entire list, this is a cautionary tale of what happens when we focus more on colonizing other worlds versus taking care of humanity. The mental health depictions in this story will have you heartbroken and praying for their survival.
Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze Written by Mellow Brown and DJ Ben Ha Meen Art by Tom Mandrake, ColorsJustin Prokowich, Lettering Jim Campbell
This Eisner-nominated story requires you to listen to Jimi Hendrix while reading this funkadelic tale of magic and rebellion. Seriously, listen to the music as it is referenced in this graphic novel. You won’t be disappointed.
A Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
And since it’s Pride, I would be remiss if I didn’t add this sapphic multiverse story of doppelgangers, manipulative exes, and political intrigue. Reading this will have you on the edge of your seats and making infinite connections to our current reality.
If you read any of these stories or want to add more to the list, let us know in the comments!
Keisha is an HBCU alumna (1854) and a former educator in Philadelphia with over a decade of experience in the education system. When she’s not corralling her husband, kids, dog, and chickens, she’s active on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads as @theblerdlibrary where she uses QT+BIPOC speculative fiction stories as a foundation to reimagine our reality and Black futures. She also co-hosts a live comic book show/ podcast called Pink Riot! that aims to highlight marginalized writers and artists in comics.
