Kimberley man Scott Wilson to unveil Indigenous superhero comic book universe this year

The Kimberley man behind the first entirely Aboriginal superhero universe says he hopes it will inspire the next generation, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to embrace the culture and learn the languages. Scott Wilson, a 28-year-old Gooniyandi and Miriwoong Kadjerong man from Fitzroy Crossing, grew up in Broome before moving away from family for high school in Perth. It was there he experienced the feelings of isolation and adventure which inspired his first character, Dark Hart. “I can’t reveal too much ahead of the first issue being published, but Dark Hart is from the Kimberley region of WA; he’s one of our ancestors who finds himself in modern day Sydney,” he said. Working alongside Gestalt Comics’ Wolfgang Bylsma, high-profile illustrator Katie Houghton-Ward and in partnership with Benny Eggmolesse — with whom he founded Ice Cream Productions — Wilson said a lifelong love for comics and a yearning to see his culture on the world stage led to years of hard-work on the universe. “We’ve seen Avengers, the Justice League, Teen Titans, so the world should be ready for a new generation of superheroes inspired by one of the oldest living peoples and cultures on the planet,” Wilson said. “Aboriginal culture has always been one of sharing stories. I sort of see this as the newest, most modern format continuing that tradition. “It’s very early days, but I would love to see this reach a stage where we can publish in multiple traditional languages and even reach the big screen — it would be awesome to see non-Indigenous people learn the language so they can read the books, similar to how people learn Japanese so they can truly appreciate manga.” In early 2020, the DC Universe welcomed its first Aboriginal superhero, a Ngarluma hunter from the Pilbara named Thylacine. “Seeing First Nations people represented in the DC universe was special, but I want to see the representation go one better — a whole universe based on standalone Aboriginal superheroes and incorporating stories from the oldest living culture on earth,” Wilson said. The first edition of Dark Hart will be published under a partnership between Ice Cream Productions and Gestalt Comics in the coming months.