Black Orchid

Around 1987, comic newcomers Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean met with DC editors, who were scouting for talent in England. Neil Gaiman named DC character after Dc character, only to be told that they were promised to others. Finally he named Black Orchid, a female super heroine so obscure that the editor asked, “Black Hawk Kid? Who’s he?”
Black Orchid isn’t a stereotypical super hero comic. The original Human Black Orchid dies, and her part orchid and part science sister is “born”, released full grown into a world she has no idea of. To complicate things, the former Orchid’s vengeance obsessed ex-husband enters the scene, and the new Orchid must find a safe place for her and her little sister, Susy. Lex Luther also takes an interest in the whereabouts of Black Orchid and the girl.
Neil Gaiman’s writing is very good...he explains the back grounds of the characters, introduces and explains the origins of DC’s vegetable-based characters, such as Poison Ivy and the Swamp Thing. Dave McKean’s paintings are beautiful, very realistic yet impressionistic. The paintings, because they’re not the bright, unrealistically colored pen and inks of traditional works give the book a very pleasurable, - dare I say adult? - feel. This is enforced by the fact that the three single issues are in the advertisement less prestige format. I have to admit, I’m a huge fan of comics, but I think people new to this medium will find this a welcome read.
Black Orchid has been published as a trade paperback, as well as a three-issue mini-series. I recommend trying to find the trade paperback, because, while the original issues went for 3.50 a piece, Gaiman single issues can be very pricey. This series launched a monthly Black Orchid series, with a completely new team.