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Iyanu’s journey continues in Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 3

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Dark Horse Books and YouNeek Studios present the next chapter in the tale of Iyanu in Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 3. Writer and head of YouNeek Studios, Roye Okupe is joined by artist Chima Kalu, colorist and cover artist Godwin Akpan, and letterer Spoof Animation to bring you this empowering tale inspired by African culture, history, and mythology. 

Iyanu is soon to be an HBO Max/Cartoon Network animated series! The Iyanu tale is part of a shared universe of African fantasy and superhero stories—the YouNeek YouNiverse.

In this new volume, Iyanu makes her way to the Source to save all of Yorubaland from an ancient curse. She has help from her new friends: Biyi, a carefree adventurer; Toye, the bookworm; and Ekun, the magical and opinionated giant leopard! Together, all four—known as Team Chosen—embark on an epic adventure full of twists, turns, and laughs that will change their lives forever!

Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 3 will be available in bookstores August 22, 2023 and comic shops August 23, 2023. It is available for pre-order now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and at your local comic book shop and will retail for $19.99. 

Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 3

Review: Windmaker: The History of Atala – The Art of the Book Series

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The obsession with Game of Thrones cannot be understated, as the series, in books and on TV, has reinvigorated people’s interests in high fantasy. The melding of genres and the epic storytelling is what makes this more than a regular sword saga.  The more audiences get into each character and each book, the more interesting it gets. So, when certain events pertaining to the main plotline, are brought up, the audience is more than curious, they beckon for it.

The one event within that book series I can think of, as it has been heavily alluded to, is Robert’s Rebellion, and although George RR Martin, has given us details here and there, all the details have not been explained, just the body count. At the end of the day, past histories and prequel series are essential to worldbuilding. As they more than serve as a plot device, as they did in Sons of Anarchy, they are what make the characters who they are. Therefore, after reading the excellent Malika, Warrior Queen, I was interested in who the “Windmaker,” was.

In this prequel one-shot of sorts, Roye Okupe delves into the history Of Atala, the great nations the Windmaker, comes form. As he talks about the founding, it feels those “histories of the house of” extras on the Game of Thrones Blu-Ray. We find out about the founding, their mythology, their cartography every major figure, every major conflict, and the invasion from the Ming Dynasty, which set up the events of the Malika, Warrior Queen. By book’s end, the reader has indoctrinated into their world and will be well equipped to dive into this universe.

Overall what was billed as an art book, functions more as primer to the world of Azzaz, where Malika, Warrior Queen takes place. The history laid out by Okupe, simply shines. Th art by Godwin Akpan illuminates Okupe’s world and brings to life the world they have created. Altogether, a lushly illustrated prequel that gives a good background for any newcomer to the story,

Story: Roye Okupe Art: Godwin Akpan
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Malika: Warrior Queen Part One

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When John Campbell’s book, “The Hero’s Journey”, is brought up in conversations on television and in lectures, it usually talks about male characters. The most prominent example that is brought up is Odysseus, as his journey which took many years, not only formed him as a hero but also a man, thus the hero’s journey. Another popular example, is of course, Luke Skywalker. Rarely, in these conversations, are a female protagonist, have ever been brought up.

There have been more than few characters that stand out in my mind in just about all forms of media. In To Kill a Mockingbird, although Atticus Finch, is the hero, Boo, is just as a strong a character, and almost even more integral to the plot. On TV, probably one of its most popular shows, Orange Is the New Black, is a story full of strong female protagonists, which initially focused on one the first season but ultimately expanded into just about all the characters’ stories being explored. This brings me, to one of the most interesting characters I have read in a long time, Malika, Warrior Queen.

In the opening moments of the book, we are introduced to a young lady training for battle in the city of Azzaz, little do we know, she would become the Queen of this empire. At her doorstep, is an army from the Ming Dynasty, looking to take her lands and enslave her people. She is joined by an old friend, who is known to his foes as the Windmaker, as he proves to more than just an ally, leaving her foe decimated. By the end of this volume, our heroine has gained victory but her troubles have not ended with the whisperings of evil in the form dark magic nearby.

Overall, a strong volume to a character will want to know, as this heroine is like nothing anyone has ever seen before, with traits that most writers would only give to a male protagonist.  The story by Roye Okupe feels like those 70s sword sagas and has all the grit of Conan. The art by Godwin Akpan, Chima Kalu, Raphael Kazeem, Paul Louis-Julie, Osas Asemota, Omotuyi Ebota and Collins Momodu, is pretty, lush, and masterful. Altogether, a great introduction, to a female hero that the world has always needed.

Story: Roye Okupe Art: Godwin Akpan, Chima Kalu, Raphael Kazeem, Paul Louis-Julie, Osas Asemota, Omotuyi Ebota and Collins Momodu
Story:10 Art:10 Overall:10 Recommendation: Buy

YouNeek Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

YouNeek Studios Announces Windmaker: The History of Atala

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Windmaker: The History of Atala is one part art book, one part prequel that pulls from the amazing depths of African mythology, turning the fantasy genre on its head by placing familiar concepts in an awe-inspiring African setting.

YouNeek Studios, the Maryland based transmedia company, is proud to announce the release of their first art book, WindMaker: The History of Atala – The Art of the Book Series, which will be the newest addition to the YouNeek YouNiverse. This will be a limited edition (500 copies) Hardcover print run, so grab the collectors item while they’re still available!

Coming off the hit graphic novel: E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams (Parts One & Two), which was featured on CNN, Forbes, The New York Times, The Washington Post and more, WindMaker: The History of Atala will be the first art book in the continuity of a shared universe of graphic novels called the “YouNeek Youniverse.” Dubbed “The MCU of graphic novels,” the YouNeek YouNiverse is a combination of individual graphic novel series (E.X.O., Malika, WindMaker etc.) tied together with one continuous, overall plot that weaves through each
individual story.

Inspired by African history, WindMaker: The History of Atala (Hardcover) is one part art book, one part prequel story to both the Malika: Warrior Queen and WindMaker: Return of a King graphic Novels. Pulling from the amazing depths of African mythology, Roye Okupe, writer of the hit graphic novel series E.X.O., creates a breathtaking kingdom called Atala. With this art book, he sets the foundations for what is definitely a deep and meaningful universe (The YouNeek YouNiverse) of heroes. Illustrator Godwin Akpan’s painting breathes life into the story in an amazing way. From dragons, to mythical relics, a feuding royal family and magical swords, this book turns the fantasy genre on its head by placing familiar concepts in an awe-inspiring African setting.

Don’t forget to pick up our next title Malika: Warrior Queen at your local comic book store May 6 during Free Comic Book Day!

Review: E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams Part 2

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E.X.O-coverpgThe second volume of E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Willams dropped on August 24, 2016. This issue should be called E.X.O. “Revelations” because ALL of the questions from Volume 1 and even how the suit works are all answered in this book. Instead of releasing a series of 22 page comics, Roye Okupe once again gives us a 152 page volume (paid for from his second successful Kickstarter) covering Chapters 8-15. Wale’s character grows in this book with the help of Fury, the mysterious woman who appeared at the end of Volume 1. (And she kicks some serious ass in this book guys seriously). We also find out what actually happened to Wale’s father and what the E.X.O. suit was originally intended for.

Story

Wale Williams is still after his nemesis Oniku who we find out is not just trying to destroy Lagoon City but to control most of Western Africa. Wale realizes with the help of Zahra (Fury’s real name) and her scientist father, that not only was Wale previously mentally unprepared to battle Oniku, he has not been utilizing the E.X.O. suit to its full potential. This go round, instead of taking on Oniku alone out of anger and revenge (that’s still simmering beneath the surface), Wale is more tactical and goes through extensive training in the suit and plans his attack with the help of a team. Scientist and medical doctor, Dr. Martins, Zahra, his cousin Benji and G.A.I., the interface within the suit. (Think African J.A.R.V.I.S.)

Oniku’s origin story is also revealed and as with most supervillians actually parallel’s Wale’s own need for revenge very closely.They are really two sides of the same coin in that Wale is out to save his own people and Oniku is beyond doesn’t think the people from Lagoon City are worth saving. Therefore he wants to destroy everything and rebuild “from the ashes” to save what he feels is the future of the country itself.

This volume actually concludes the First ARC of the E.X.O. storyline and introduces a new character that we will see in the future of another story tied to this universe.


What I think

Okupe’s writing here is more in depth this time around, however, at times, the story does get a bit dialogue heavy, but for the most part I enjoyed the character’s discussions, development and banter.

I LOVE Godwin Akpan’s cover work as well as the interior work by Sunkanmi Akinboye and Raphael Kazeem. Faces and colors stayed consistent throughout but there were a couple of times I felt some of the physiology was a bit off. That being said the fight scenes were AMAZING! The choreography, depth of field and angles were executed with exceptional detail and I was VERY impressed with how Wale’s interaction with the suit development was depicted. Many splash pages were also included of fan art of the book which I think was a wonderful homage to E.X.O. fans and a great way to showcase the work of otherwise unknown African talent.

I really enjoyed how the story played out and especially liked the use of the Yoruba language mixed into the English dialogue. One of my only criticism is that some of the practice/training sessions went on a little too long. I am also a big fan of “humanizing” the villain and making him look like the flip side of the hero, this was also executed well in this story. I absolutely LOVED Fury’s fight scenes and her character, but I wish we got to see more of her development and her drive and focus, at times I think she kind of came off as a 2-dimensional character for Wale to respond to. His cousin Benji was used well as the “everyman” plot device, helping to provide backstory and lightening up otherwise heavy moments in the book.

One thing that Okupe does very well is write cliffhanger endings, I actually read the entire book in one sitting because he kept ending each chapter with questions that I HAD to know the answers to. I was very surprised at the traumatic event (there’s two actually) that happened to Oniku because it is not one we often see here in the States, especially in a comic book, which is why I would really only recommend this volume to kids ages 12 and up.

This volume is a fun ride and definitely worth checking out. (Apparently, the Washington Post agrees)

E.X.O. THE LEGEND OF WALE WILLIAMS PART 2

print: $14.99

digital: $7.99

WHERE TO BUY:

– website
– amazon (print)
– amazon (digital)
– iBooks (digital)

CREATIVE TEAM:

Writer: Roye Okupe

Penciler: Sunkanmi Akinboye

Inker: Sunkanmi Akinboye

Colorist: Raphael Kazeem

Cover Art: Godwin Akpan

Editor: Ayodele Elegba

NOTE: This is a high-quality indie TPB. The first African comic I’ve ever heard of Diamond distributing. If we want to see more books like this in comic book stores, then we have to pre-order them! Don’t know how to pre-order? Well I happen to have this handy guide right here.