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.
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.
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.
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.
This is a genre I’ll definitely delve into. Go Africa!
Quite fascinated by the relationship between Africa’s culture and sci-fi.