There is often a connection between African comics and myths, legends, and magic. A rich and diverse history of folklore has been captured in a variety of forms of art throughout Africa, from the powerful sorcerers and witches to the mythical creatures that roam its lands. Among them are comic books. Although mythology and witchcraft play a prominent role in African comics, they are not the only genres explored by the creators. In fact, African comic creators have produced works that delve into a wide variety of themes, including action, romance, and even superheroes.
One of the most well-known African comics is “The Might of Guardian Prime” written by Jide Martins and Ozo Ezeogu and published by Comic Republic. The story revolves around Tunde Jaiye, one of the five essential elements of earth (earth, air, water, fire, and man). The perfect man created in the image of God. His abilities are almost godlike compared to those of a normal man. In some ways, he is like the Nigerian Superman. The African comic is filled with fantastic action scenes that leap off the page. Another action-packed comic is E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams by Roye Okupe of YouNeek Studios. It is a sci-fi superhero story about Wale Williams, a young man in Lagos, Nigeria who must become a hero to save his city from extremists who have obtained his father’s secret energy source research. He must decide whether to ignore the situation or forgive his father and use the E.X.O. Armor to fight back.
Another notable African comic is the widely known South African comic series “The Supa Strikas“. The Supa Strikas are a team of football players who use their unique skills to compete in professional football. The series is another prime example of the action genre seasoned with sports in African comics, combining high-flying adventures with fast-paced sports action to create a genuinely entertaining experience. Another sports-related comic is “The Marshall” written by Ejob Gaius and published by Zebra Comics PLC. It presents a comical tale of a football match between India and Cameroon which lives on today as a widely known fable. There are similar iterations of the story told in Ghana, Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
African comic creators have also explored the romance genre in their works. For example, the romance comic book series, “Kawana” by Cameroonian writer Franklin Agogho and published by Zebra Comics PLC. It explores the complexities of modern love and relationships of a young girl who seeks the attention of her family and close friends through nefarious means. Other African comics that revolve around love and romance are: “My Grandfather Was a God” by Dotun Akande & Murewa Ayodele which focuses on Tofunmi, the granddaughter of the supreme god Olorun, who embarks on a journey to find her grandfather and protect humans from monsters and ghouls that have started to leak into the world after Olorun stopped coming for their usual meetups. Next, we have Outlaws by Salami Rebekah, which follows Kendrick Uyiosa and Megan’s fated meeting at a vacation party where Kendrick gets stabbed, witnesses a murder, gets involved with a super-powered girl, and discovers he has powers leads them to uncover a hidden secret being sought after by the Huda Organization, and their trials may turn them into enemies or ignite an unavoidable romance.
For comic book fans that enjoy all styles of storytelling and want to explore the African continent, there is a vast selection of African comics, webtoon and manga to choose from. While mythology and witchcraft are prominent in African comics, it is critical to note that these works represent only a small portion of the broad and diverse landscape of African comic creativity. African comic authors are exploring many themes and genres that demonstrate the African comic industry’s creativity, talent, and diversity, ranging from action and romance to superheroes and more. With the contributions of outstanding artists and authors, it is evident that African comics are much more than just witchcraft and folklore; they are a vibrant and thrilling part of the comics world.
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