The name of Tony Isabella is synonymous with quality comics. While having written several series for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, Isabella is most famous as the creator of Black Lightning. However, the writer recently introduced themselves to the world as Jenny Blake Isabella, a trans woman.
The first announcement came on February 9, 2025, on Isabella’s BlueSky account. She requested that fans respect her and her family’s privacy while promising an official statement later. That statement came on February 11, 2025, on Isabella’s personal blog.
“It was always my intent to say more about my transitioning after working over half-a-century in the comic-book industry,” Isabella noted. “I needed time to process my coming out in public and absorb the response I received from this announcement.” Isabella also thanked her online fans and friends, noting that “some of your kind comments brought me joyful tears.”
Isabella also explained the inspiration behind her new name. Jenny was chosen simply because she always liked the name Jenny. Blake is in honor of Dr. Donald Blake, the original secret identity of Marvel Comics’ Thor. “Once a Marvel maniac, always a Marvel maniac,” Isabella stated.
Black Lightning creator will write under multiple names
Isabella also addressed the question of whether she will continue to use Tony Isabella as a pen name. She affirmed that she would use both names depending on which seemed more appropriate to the project. However, she also thanked DC Comics for confirming how she wished to be credited on future works and reprints of her Black Lightning comics.
“I don’t consider ‘Tony Isabella’ to be a dead name”, Isabella stated. “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.”
Beyond her current work at Last Kiss Comics, Isabella is also working on an independent series centered around a trans teen superhero. Describing them as “a contemporary Peter Parker,” Isabella thinks the series will hold broad appeal for queer and straight teenagers. However, Isabella is still shopping the series around to publishers, searching for a “fair and mutually beneficial agreement.”
