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  • How African Creators Will Influence the Comic Book Industry

    How African Creators Will Influence the Comic Book Industry

    Introduction

    The popularity of comic books has skyrocketed in the last decade, and this trend is only expected to continue. While the United States and Europe dominate the industry, the African continent is now making its mark with its own distinct take on the comic book genre. African comic books are making ripples in the worldwide comic book market, and they are expected to have a growing impact in the coming years.  The African comic book industry is still in its infancy, with independent producers generating storylines and artwork with a distinctly African taste.

    These creators are telling stories that reflect the beliefs, culture, and history of their respective countries and regions. As a result, African comic books provide a distinct viewpoint on the world, which the global comic book business is beginning to recognize. With the rise of African comic books has come an inflow of talent from the continent, with more African creators and illustrators now creating tales and artwork for the global market. This inflow of talent is reviving the comic book business and helping to diversify the content being created.

    Furthermore, the African comic book market is propelling the business in other ways. African comic books are frequently less expensive than their Western counterparts, making them more accessible to a larger spectrum of consumers. Also, African comic books frequently offer storylines with previously unknown realities, allowing readers to experience stories from other perspectives. The worldwide comic book business is rapidly looking for this, and African comic books are set to play a significant role in this development.

    African comic books are likely to have a significant impact on the future of the global comic book business. As more African artists and illustrators enter the industry and create stories that reflect their own values and culture, they are likely to have a significant impact on the content that is created. Furthermore, the cost and availability of African comic books are likely to make them more accessible to a wider spectrum of readers, allowing more people to enjoy the unique storytelling and artwork that African comic books have to offer. As a result, African comic books are set to become an increasingly important element of the global comic book business in the coming years.

    Digital publishing has had a significant impact on the African comic book industry, making it more economical and accessible to both African and non-African readers. Because of digital publication, they can now be released more rapidly and efficiently, resulting in cheaper production costs and allowing comic book authors to reach a bigger global audience.  Some publishing houses, YouNeek Studios for example, have established partnerships with industry players such as Darkhorse Comics, to push forward African content to global audiences. Furthermore, digital publication has made it easier for African comic books to be published and distributed globally, allowing African creators to reach a far larger audience. This improved price and availability have allowed more people to experience the distinctive stories and artwork that African comic books have to offer, and this is expected to have a growing impact on the global market. African publishers such as Zebra Comics PLC, YouNeek Studios, Comic Republic, and many others have online platforms where comic book lovers from all over the world can read African comics either for free or at very affordable prices.

  • Afrofuturism in African Comics

    Afrofuturism in African Comics

    Are you looking for something new, exciting, and inspiring to add to your comic book collection? Something that deviates from the mainstream superhero comics and manga? Well, a great place to look will be Afrofuturistic comics! This is a genre that blends elements of science fiction with African culture and history, bringing forth something that is unique and exciting at the same time. According to The New York Times, “Afrofuturism, whether in novels, films or music, imagines worlds and futures where the African diaspora and sci-fi intersect. The term was coined by the writer Mark Dery in 1993 and has since been applied to the novels of Octavia Butler (“Kindred”), the musical stylings of the jazz composer Sun Ra and more recently films such as “Get Out” and “Black Panther,” which presented a gorgeously rendered vision of the technologically advanced, vibranium-powered nation of Wakanda”.Afrofuturism is an empowering movement that celebrates the resilience of people of color. From Nnedi Okorafor’s groundbreaking works to Marvel’s Black Panther movie adaptation starring Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther to DC’s Cyborg character who uses his cybernetic enhancements for good; there are plenty of examples out there showcasing how this unique form of storytelling can be used by creators across different mediums.

    Anaki an Afrofuturism digital comic by Zebra Comics

    Afrofuturistic comics aren’t just entertaining or visually stunning – they also have the power to educate readers about important topics on Africa such as racism, sexism, colonialism etc., while providing them with positive African role models they can identify with. It also encourages us all (regardless of our race or background) to think more deeply about what it means when we talk about “the future” – especially when considering how our decisions today will shape tomorrow’s world.

    Ever since the black panther movie was released to global acclaim, many other comics projects based on Afrofuturism have seen the light of day. The success of this genre obviously occasioned the creation of many more comics in this genre. Notable amongst these creations are Marvel Comics’ Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur by Amy Reeder and Brandon Montclare, Infintum and Matty’s Rocket by Tim Fielder, New Masters by Shobo and Shof Coker and LaGuardia by Nnedi Okorafor.

    On the African continent, the Afrofuturism movement has also gathered momentum. Creators on the continent, like those who live in the diaspora, have produced comics that put forth the genre in ways that have not been seen before. These comics usually go a layer deeper into African cultures and traditions while maintaining the futuristic aspect of the movement, thereby portraying a deeply African view of the future. Notable examples include Anaki by Zebra Comics PLC, Assegai by Comic Republic, E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams by Roye Okupe and Mulatako by Reine Dibussi, amongst many others. The movement is indeed growing rapidly on the African continent, with creations from different corners of the continent spewing out content on a regular basis.

    Retrograde Afrofuturism in African comics by Zebra Comics

    Added to the above is the fact that lovers of Afrofuturism in comics, especially African comics, are not obliged to buy printed copies of these comics to enjoy them. Today, one can find a load of these Afrofuturistic comics online. On platforms like Zebra Comics, Comic Republic, YouNeek Studios and Vortex Comics, Afrofuturistic comics are just a click away. On platforms like Zebra Comics, you can start reading these comics now for FREE.

    New Masters Afrofuturistic comic

    If you are truly looking for something new and different, Afrofuturistic comics are undoubtedly the solution and today, there isn’t a shortage of these in print and digital formats.

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