Roye Okupe ist eine kreative Kraft, die sich der Schaffung einer vielfältigen Sammlung von Superhelden widmet, deren Ursprünge in vernachlässigten oder übersehenen Regionen der Welt liegen. Seine Arbeit im Superhelden-Genre zielt darauf ab, Lücken in der Repräsentation zu schließen und neue Perspektiven zu bieten. Okupes Ansatz beinhaltet den Aufbau vernetzter Universen von Charakteren, die eine globale Erfahrung widerspiegeln. Durch sein visionäres Geschichtenerzählen bemüht er sich, das Genre mit neuen Stimmen und Erzählungen zu bereichern.
Join the heroes from across YouNeek Studios' YouNeek YouNiverse as they unite for the first time in this epic graphic novel crossover event! When an unknown anarchist unleashes an army of extraterrestrial androids on the continent of Africa, Malika—legendary warrior queen of the 15th-century West African Empire, Azzaz—must put together a team of "unlike-minded" heroes to respond before it's too late. Featuring appearances from other YouNeek YouNiverse heroes like E.X.O., Fury, and WindMaker, several YouNeek storylines finally converge. Dark Horse and YouNeek Studios continue stories in a shared universe of African fantasy and superhero stories—the YouNeek YouNiverse!
The orphan Iyanu is thrust into the wildlands beyond the safety of the walls of her home! She must quickly learn to work with an exile and the people of the Riverlands Settlement if she hopes to save her mentor. Meanwhile, Chancellor Nuro finalizes a diabolical plan that threatens to destroy the entirety of Yorubaland in his greedy hunt to capture Iyanu, also known now as the Chosen One! The YouNeek line at Dark Horse expands with this fantastic graphic novel series!
Featured on CNN, FORBES, BBC and more, E.X.O. – The Legend of Wale Williams Part 1 is a superhero story about redemption, set in a futuristic, 2025 Africa! The 136 page graphic novel follows the journey of Wale Williams, an impetuous young man who inherits a suit with super powers after his father goes missing. Tricked into returning home to Lagoon City, Nigeria following a five year absence, Wale embarks on a journey to investigate his father’s mysterious disappearance. As he comes to understand the suit’s powers, Wale realizes he must restore hope to his city by preventing catastrophic attacks from the sociopathic, Oniku, leader of an extremist group called The CREED.
**Part of the YouNeek YouNiverse! Extraordinary fantasy and superhero stories inspired by African history, culture, and mythology—created by the best Nigerian comics talent!**Following the exploits of queen and military commander Malika, who struggles to keep the peace in her ever-expanding empire, Azzaz, this historical fantasy is set in fifteenth-century West Africa and created by an all-star team from Nigeria.Growing up as a prodigy, Malika inherits the crown from her father in an incredibly unusual way, splitting the kingdom of Azzaz in half. After years of civil war, Malika finally unites all of Azzaz, expanding it into one of the largest empires in all of West Africa--but expansion will not come without its costs. Enemies begin to rise within her council, and Azzaz catches the attention of one of the most feared superpowers the world has ever the Ming Dynasty! As Malika fights to win the clandestine war within the walls of her empire, she must also turn her attention to an indomitable and treacherous foe with plans to vanquish her entire people. Warrior Queen Volume 1 also features bonus stories “ Dragon Trials” and “ Birth of a King”—and a new “behind the scenes” section!"Our mission is and always has been about empowering African creatives and storytelling while bringing both to a global audience." — Roye Okupe, Founder/Creative Director at YouNeek Studios
Soon to be a Cartoon Network/Max/Lion Forge Animation animated series! Part of the YouNeek YouNiverse! Extraordinary fantasy and superhero stories inspired by African history, culture, and mythology—created by the best Nigerian comics talent! Iyanu, a teenage orphan with no recollection of her past, suddenly discovers that she has abilities that rival the ancient deities told in the folklore of her people. It is these abilities that are the key to bringing back an "age of wonders," as Iyanu begins her journey to save a world on the brink of destruction! The Corrupt—cursed wildlife and strange, divine beasts—are determined to destroy humanity, unless Iyanu can stop them. "Our mission is and always has been about empowering African creatives and storytelling while bringing both to a global audience." — Roye Okupe, Founder/Creative Director at YouNeek Studios
After an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity, the fictional West African nation of Atala is thrust into an era of unrest and dysfunction when their beloved president turns vicious dictator.With the country on the brink of civil war, the WindMaker—an ancient hero of the Atalians— mysteriously returns in what appears to be an effort to save his people. The only problem is that his spirit is reincarnated into the last person anyone expects to help—the president’s head of security!
What happens when you infuse the likenesses, ambitions, and desires of legendary warriors and conquerors with an advanced AI? Well, you get a psychotic android named AVON, who goes rogue and concocts a plan to "reset" humanity!E.X.O. Volume 2 picks up right where it's award-winning Afrofuturist epic predecessor left off, as Wale Williams--aka tech-savvy superhero EXO--tries to save humanity! An Afrofuturist superhero story about redemption set in the bustling metropolis that is Lagos, Nigeria--with a creative team that's also from Lagos!This Dark Horse edition will collect the YouNeek Studios editions of the same material (YouNeek editions E.X.O. Volumes 3 and 4)**Explore the YouNeek YouNiverse! Extraordinary fantasy and superhero stories inspired by African history, culture, and mythology—created by the best Nigerian comics talent!**
**Part of the YouNeek YouNiverse! Extraordinary fantasy and superhero stories inspired by African history, culture, and mythology—created by the best Nigerian comics talent!**The oldest son of a world-renowned scientist, Wale Williams--aka tech-savvy superhero EXO--tries to save Lagoon City from a deadly group of emerging extremists.But before this "pending" superhero can do any good for his city, there is one person he must save first--Himself! The Legend of Wale Williams Volume 1 is an Afrofuturist superhero story about redemption set in the bustling metropolis that is Lagos, Nigeria--with a creative team that's also from Lagos!"Our mission is and always has been about empowering African creatives and storytelling while bringing both to a global audience." — Roye Okupe, Founder/Creative Director at YouNeek Studios
Part 2 continues to chronicle the journey of Wale Williams a.k.a EXO, who was last seen hanging on for dear life after his first encounter with the incredibly powerful and sinister Oniku, leader of the extremist group, The Creed. After his shocking revelation, Oniku now has all he needs to launch a crippling attack at the heart of Lagoon City, an attack that would be felt across the entire nation of Nigeria. Can Wale finally become the hero he has always avoided but was always meant to be in time to stop the inevitable? Only time will tell.
Growing up as a prodigy, Malika inherited the crown from her father in the most unusual of circumstances, splitting the kingdom of Azzaz in half. After years of civil war, Malika was able to unite all of Azzaz, expanding it into one of the largest empires in all of West Africa. However, enemies begin to rise within her council. As Malika fights to win the clandestine war within the walls of her empire, she must now turn her attentions to an indomitable and treacherous foe with plans to vanquish her entire people.
