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It's been quiet here for a minute ... and I haven't completely returned from my self-imposed hibernation (work and life is really making it difficult to find the time), but I had to share a really fun new series for the kids. This exciting new comic book series is from Miia Torera, miiato, and for children aged 4 to 8. 

The Incredible Kids Comic Series follows the adventures of three toddler superheroes: Incredible I, Starboi, and the Amazing Amaziah. I read the first two books in the series Chocolate Crisis and Enter the Mummy over the weekend, and I am hooked. Both stories were equally engaging and hilarious. I found myself chuckling, and in some cases, laughing out loud, while reading.

We first meet our superhero trio in Chocolate Crisis, where the world's supply of chocolate chip cookies will possibly be destroyed. Yes, every last one of them!!! Thankfully Incredible I - the oldest of the sibling superhero trio - is here to save the day. Can Incredible I, or should he, do it on his own? Will Incredible I, join forces with his siblings - Starboi and Amazing Amaziah - to rescue these yummy snacks many of us cannot live without? Also, can they decide on a name for their 'good guyz' gang before the mission even begins?

In their next adventure, Enter the Mummy, Incredible I and Starboi, team up (wonder where Amazing Amaziah is?) to solve the ancient immortal, the Mummy's, clues to stop the Bedtime bomb going off. They have 30 minutes to ensure it doesn't go off. Why? Because, if they don't, all the world's children will be forced to go to sleep - whether they are tired or not. 


   
Images via Amazon

I loved both comics and the fun way in which teamwork is portrayed, how we are introduced to each of the brothers' superpowers (you'll have to get a copy to find out), and the lively illustrations. The focus of each book (saving the world from a loss of cookies, and trying to beat bedtime) is extremely cute and hilarious. I especially love how Enter the Mummy transports us into the imagination of toddlers. How amazing their thoughts and adventures are, but also how the Mummy - in providing clues - is also supporting their creativity. It also transported me to my youth, and the different games my siblings and I would play to entertain ourselves. 

The Incredible Kids is a really fun and exciting comic series, and I can't wait for the next adventure the sibling trio get up to. What other mission will T.E.D.D.Y have for I.S.A? Will the  bad guyz - Teddy Toughs - return? Oh, and will Amazing Amaziah make an appearance again (because I am obsessed with that blue hoodie)? I guess we will have to stay tuned. 

PS. If you want to find out even more about I.S.A, head to miiato's website. The interactive page adds to the fun and adventure of this Incredible (pun intended) series.

00:14 No Comments




I've been following Kugali - a digital platform for African comics - since it started in 2016. By following, I mean I listened to the Kugali podcast, signed up to their newsletter, followed them on Twitter and Facebook. I loved that this was a site that showcased and curated African comics, and also focused on animation and art. It was a great space for me to learn even more about a genre I have been dipping in and out of since I was a kid ... and this time it provided me stories from an African perspective. Let's put it this way - I am such a huge fan of the platform that when I found out they would be at Africa Writes in 2017 and a preview issue of their anthology - Issue Zero - would be available, I knew there was no way I was not going to grab myself a copy. 


So, when I found out Kugali would be launching a Kickstarter on Feb 26th for a Comics Anthology, I had to share. As Kugali note: 
In Africa there have been stories passed down for generations.These magical tales filled our hearts and opened our minds to endless possibilities. These fantastic stories still exist within the oral tradition. However, in order to share our stories with the world we need to think of new ways to showcase our culture.
This is where the Anthology comes in - as it 'features over a dozen incredibly talented creators from 10 African countries' including Under a Jovian Sun by Shofela Coker - a sci-fi series set in Morocco in the year 3125 that follows a group of street urchins simply trying to survive in the street of Kebbah, and Etubi Onucheyo's fantasy adventure series, Mumu Juju, that follows the wayward adventures of the Mortar and the Pestle.

Shofela Coker's Under the Jovian Sun
Etubi Onucheyo's Mumu Juju

The Kugali Anthology will have 'the best of African art and storytelling', and will be split into two parts - the Regular edition designed for all ages and the Raki edition for the more 'mature readers that like their stories a little more dark and gory'. If you want to find out more and support the kickstarter to bring this anthology to life, head over to Kugali's Kickstarter page. 





09:15 No Comments

A couple days ago I shared some very exciting news on my personal Facebook page - about Nnedi Okorafor's forthcoming Marvel comic 'Blessing in Disguise'. The headline courtesy of BBC stated that it was the 'First Nigerian superhero to be published by Marvel'. 


This headline led to quite an interesting discussion - which begun as a result of a comment which seemed like outright shock that BBC would claim this to be the first Nigerian superhero to be published by Marvel. This led to other names being added to the thread including Shango who appeared in 1982 (as a hero).

So, in my ever inquisitive (many may call it nerdy) way I decided to look into this some more and focus on Nigerian characters in Marvel. Of course, those who are more in the know, please do add to this. Also, this is not to take away from what is pretty amazing news - that Nnedi Okorafor is writing an 8-page comic set in Lagos as part of Marvel's Venomverse anthology. 


To begin with, according to the Marvel Database, it seems that Nigeria (the country) made its first appearance in the Marvel Universe in March 1974 (Captain America Vol 1 #171). In terms of characters, one of the earliest appearances of a Nigerian character would have been the god, Shango - in Thor Annual #10 (1982) where he was recruited by Thor to confront Demogorge. It doesn't seem like there were any other Nigerian characters until Leo (K'Beer Okoye) who first appeared in New Warriors Vol 4 #4 (November 2007), followed by Imo Miri whose only appearance was in Thunderbolts International Incident Vol 1 #1 (April 2008). 



All images via Marvel Database

Then there's Oya (Idie Okonkwo) - a fourteen-year old living in Oyo who accidentally burned down her village and killed her family. Her first appearance was in Uncanny X-Men #528 (November 2010). 






All images of Idie Okonkwo via World of Black Heroes

... and now, there's Ngozi. Looking at these four other characters I do wonder if it isn't that Ngozi is the first Nigerian superhero to be published by Marvel, but that she is the first Nigerian superhero to be written/created by a Nigerian-American woman that is published by Marvel. For instance, the Marvel Database states that Oya was created by Matt Fraction and Kieron Gillen; while Shango was created by Alan Zelenetz and Mark Gruenwald. I have no idea!! Comic fans and experts out there, please let me know.
14:27 No Comments
Next up in my celebration of art in Nigerian literature - the works of Alaba Onajin, an illustrator and graphic novel artist, whose work I love. Alaba Onajin has been working professionally since 2005, and has illustrated comic book strips on African Women's History for UNESCO, as well as children's books and his own graphic novels. Here's some of Onajin's illustrations.
Wale Walking by Alaba Onajin
Onajin illustrated two digital comic strips - one on Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and the other on Taytu Betul - as part of UNESCO's Women in African History series. Here are some of the illustrations for Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti's story.







Images via UNESCO.org
I especially like Onajin's cover for The Birth of the Pale Rider by Ifedayo Adigwe Akintomide. I just want to know what they are saying to each other (the turtle and the boy) and how they are communicating.

Before and after. Image via The Alaba Onajin Project

Onaji has also written and illustrated his own graphic novels, including The Elephants and the Grass and The Adventures of Atioro.

Graphic novel about child soldiers

Images via carbonmade
... as well as Anike Eleko - a children's graphic novel, written by Onajin and Sandra Joubealio about a young street seller who dreams of winning a scholarship so she is able to go to school. 




Images via Facebook, Twitter and Pikore
08:15 3 Comments
Here's one for the kids!!!!

Published in 2013 by Flying Eye Books, this best selling French comic (published in English for the first time) follows the adventures of a naughty West African girl.  

Poor Akissi! The neighbourhood cats are trying to steal her fish, her little monkey Boubou almost ends up in a frying pan and she's nothing but a pest to her older brother Fofana ... But Akissi is a true adventurer, full of silliness and mischief, and nothing will scare her for long!

The Akissi series for kids aged 5-7 years, is written by Marguerite Abouet, creator of the popular Aya comics








Images via Flying Eye Books


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About me

Founded in 2011, bookshy represents two things: the young me who was so shy I escaped through books, and the older me whose shelf is always one book shy of being full.

bookshy is a space where I celebrate, promote and recognise contemporary African literature - although sometimes I go back in time to commemorate the greats. It is about the books I love, the books I have read and the books that I am dying to read.

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