The African comics industry is undergoing a renaissance, with a new generation of creators producing high-quality comics that tell stories that are relevant to African and international audiences. In an era when change is as rapid as the speed of light, there is bound to be new things that will influence the way comics creators create comics today. Technology has made access to information so easy that the proliferation of new ideas has become easy. With the influence of social media and the virality of video nowadays, trends pop up by the second, and these inevitably affect the comics creation process. There are a myriad of modern trends that influence comics creation such as the rise of digital comics, the growing popularity of African comics, the increasing diversity of African comics, and the influence of other cultures, amongst others. Let’s look into how these trends actually affect comics creation.
1.The rise of digital comics
Digital comics are becoming more and more popular around the world, and Africa is no exception. This is due in part to the increasing availability of smartphones and tablets, which make it easy to read comics on the go. Additionally, digital comics are often more affordable than traditional print comics, making them more accessible to a wider audience.
African comic book creators are increasingly taking advantage of the rise of digital comics. For example, the Cameroonian comic book publisher, Zebra Comics PLC uses digital tools to create their long list of popular comic book series, which they publish on their digital platforms (app and website). This heavy use of digital tools has allowed the company to reach a global audience.
2. The growing popularity of African comics
African comics are becoming increasingly popular both within Africa and internationally. This is due in part to the efforts of African comic book creators who are producing high-quality comics that tell stories that are relevant to African audiences. Additionally, the rise of social media and online platforms has made it easier for African comic book creators to reach a global audience.
One example of the growing popularity of African comics is the success of the South African comic book series “Kwezi.” The series, which is created by Loyiso Mkize, has become one of the most popular comics in Africa.
3. The increasing diversity of African comics
African comics are becoming more and more diverse in terms of their genres, styles, and themes. This is due in part to the growing number of African comic book creators who are coming from different backgrounds and experiences. Additionally, African comic book creators are increasingly exploring new and innovative ways to tell stories.
4. The influence of other cultures
African comics are also being influenced by other cultures, such as American comics, Japanese manga, and Korean manhwa. This is due in part to the increasing globalization of the comics industry. Additionally, African comic book creators are increasingly looking to other cultures for inspiration.
5. The influence of other media
African comics are also being influenced by other media, such as movies, television, and video games. This is due in part to the increasing crossover between these different media. Additionally, creators are increasingly looking to other media for inspiration. A good example is the graphic novel “AURION: LEGACY OF THE KORI ODAN” which is an adaptation of the video game of the same name.
Conclusion
African comics are gaining popularity by the day and this popularity, in great measure, is a fruit of the aforementioned trends. No one can deny the fact that these trends are having a positive impact on the African comics industry. They are helping to make African comics more accessible to a wider audience and they are encouraging African comic book creators to explore new and innovative ways to tell stories. As a result, we can expect to see even more exciting African comics in the future.
