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NYCC 2024: IYANU gets the spotlight with new trailer, clips and more!

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At New York Comic Con, Cartoon Network, Max, and Lion Forge Entertainment released the first feature trailer for the highly-anticipated series Iyanu. In this trailer, viewers are treated to a breathtaking introduction to the series’ captivating story based on Nigerian culture and mythology. The scene opens in a lush, vibrant landscape, where the main characters, Iyanu and Biyi, find themselves in a heart-pounding moment of peril when tranquility is shattered by the thunderous charge of a wild rhino, a powerful symbol of nature’s raw force. Then, in a stunning display of courage and intuition, Iyanu channels the ancestral wisdom of her heritage, stopping the rhino in its tracks and unveiling her true nature as the chosen one.

The series adapted from the popular graphic novel Iyanu: Child of Wonder by Roye Okupe published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics set to premiere on Cartoon Network and Max in Spring 2025.

This feature trailer made its debut during the show’s “IYANU: Lion Forge Brings African Fantasy to Cartoon Network” panel at NYCC.

The event brought together key creative members behind the series, including the show’s creator, lead writer, voice director, and episodic director for the first time—a testament to the series’ truly global production spanning four continents. This unprecedented gathering offered attendees rare insights into the intricate process of casting and directing animation and voice actors across the world, providing a glimpse into the making of this global phenomenon.

Panelists from the “Iyanu” series Included:

  • Roye Okupe –Creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner
  • Paula Gammon Wilson – Voice and Casting Director for “Iyanu” 
  • Darnell Johnson – Episodic Director
  • Brandon Easton – Story Editor and Writer
  • Karama Horne – Moderator – Lion Forge Integrated Marketing Lead

Iyanu will premiere in Spring 2025 on Cartoon Network and Max in the US, and will stream exclusively on Showmax across 44 African countries. The global distribution of the series reflects its universal appeal, and with the passionate audience at New York Comic Con—known for its love of fantasy, animation, and comics—this unveiling perfectly aligns with the show’s ambition to bring a fresh African fantasy narrative to fans who appreciate imaginative storytelling and diverse content.

Iyanu is a superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. Drawing deeply from the rich tapestry of Yoruba people, the animated series follows a teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, who spends her days studying history and ancient arts but yearns for a normal life. One day, responding to danger, she unknowingly triggers her divine powers, the likes of which have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. With newly discovered superpowers, Iyanu joins forces with two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, as they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she’ll uncover the truth about her past, her parents, and her ultimate destiny to save the world.

The talented Nigerian voice cast is led by Serah Johnson as Iyanu and includes:

  • Okey Jude as Biyi, Iyanu’s carefree adventurer friend
  • Samuel Kugbiyi as Toye, Iyanu’s bookworm companion
  • Adesua Etomi-Wellington as Olori
  • Blossom Chukwujekwu as Kanfo, Toye’s father
  • Stella Damasus as Sewa
  • Shaffy Bello as Emi – The One Mother
  • Ike Ononye as Elder Alapani

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media Launches Children Graphic Novel Imprint Etch in 2020

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Etch

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media has announced Etch, a new line of graphic novels focused on young readers. The publisher is looking to release around 15 graphic novels a year.

The imprint is a little different than other publishers in that there isn’t a dedicated editorial team. Instead, they will acquire titles by editors from their existing children’s book imprints. HMH Books for Young Readers, Clarion, and Versify will see their graphic novel backlist shift to the Etch banner for future printings.

The Etch logo is by HMH senior designer Andrea Miller.

The line will launch in September 2020 with:

  • Dinomighty! by Greg Trine, illustrated by Aaron Blecha, “a zany caper featuring four dinosaur heroes for fans of Dog Man and The Bad Guys series.”
  • Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renee Treml, a mystery story featuring the unlikely combination of a bird skeleton detective and his stuffed parrot sidekick.
  • Ichiro by Ryan Inzana, a revised paperback edition of the Eisner-nominated YA comic centering around a Japanese-American boy and his relationship with Japanese gods and mythological creatures.
  • Carmen Sandiego: The Chasing Paper Caper, the third in a series of graphic novels tying into the Netflix reboot of the classic animated series.

Future releases also announced include Timo the Adventurer by Jonathan Garnier, illustrated by Yohan Sacré (October 2020); Oh My Gods! by Stephanie Cooke and Insha Fitzpatrick, illustrated by Juliana Moon (January 2021); and Power Up by Sam Nisson, illustrated by Darnell Johnson (February 2021).