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**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 known: 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.
Malika: Warrior Queen Volume 1 also features bonus stories “Malika: Dragon Trials” and “WindMaker: 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
From the Publisher
Join Malika, Iyanu, E.X.O, and more in the YouNeek YouNiverse, a connected world of African-inspired superhero and fantasy stories.
Dark Horse Books and YouNeek Studios are proud to present a shared universe of fantasy and superhero stories inspired by African history, culture, and —created by the best Nigerian comics talent!
Praise for YouNeek Studios
“Wale Williams—and his setting of ‘Lagoon City’—is to Lagos what Gotham City is to New York.”–Forbes
“’Bout time!”–Jamie Foxx
“E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams is the fast-paced, afro-futuristic graphic novel from Roye Okupe.”–CNN
“The designs are very slick and futuristic, and ignore some of the design stereotypes which frequently turn up in many ‘African set’ productions created by less intimate creators. At an initial glance, it has all of the fast-paced action and hi-tech superhero antics that you would expect of most animated action series on Cartoon Network or NickToons, only it is featuring a brand-new hero for a brand-new era.”–The Examiner
The YouNeek YouNiverse is a connected world of African-inspired superhero and fantasy stories.
A world where said stories are told concurrently in multiple time periods (5,000 BC, the Fifteenth Century, and the year 2025) through the lens of compelling characters and series like Malika: The Warrior Queen (a historical fantasy epic featuring a strong female lead), E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams (an Afrofuturist superhero sci-fi tale set in Lagos, Nigeria), Iyanu: Child of Wonder (a story inspired by Yoruba history and mythology featuring a teenage girl with divine power).
Roye Okupe
Co-Founder of YouNeek Studios
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Roye Okupe is an award-winning filmmaker, author, speaker, and entrepreneur whose passion for comics and animation led him to found YouNeek Studios in 2012. Under that umbrella, Roye wrote, produced, and directed several animated productions including, but not limited to, the award-winning and critically acclaimed Malika–Warrior Queen animated short film. These productions have allowed Roye to attain many prestigious recognitions such as:
Being #5 on the Ventures Africa list of “40 African Innovators to Watch” (2016) Part of New African Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Africans” two years in a row (2016 and 2017) E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams, Part One was received with critical acclaim and featured on CNN, Forbes, The New York Times, NBC, The Guardian, ABC7, BBC, The Huffington Post, Mashable, and more!
Find Your Story: A YouNeek YouNiverse Recommended Reading Order
Since 2012, Roye Okupe has been building a universe of superheroes that spans centuries, centered around African stories and crafted by African creators. With this ever-expanding line of books, there are many points where a new reader could enter the YouNeek YouNiverse. To help readers choose a starting point, we’ve put together a suggested reading order, in the graphic above.
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About
Follow queen and military commander Malika (pronounced: “Ma-Lie-Kah”), 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. Iyanu (pronounced: “Ee-Yah-Nu”), 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. The oldest son of a world-renowned scientist, Wale Williams—aka tech-savvy superhero E.X.O—tries to save Lagoon City from a deadly group of emerging extremists. Malika, queen and commander of the fifteenth-century West-African empire Azzaz, has been flung into the year 2025 and uncovers a sinister plot that predates her own five-hundred-year-old legend as Warrior Queen and threatens to end 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! Fictional West African nation of Atala is thrust into an era of unrest when the president turns vicious dictator. With the country on the brink of civil war, the WindMaker—an ancient hero—returns in what appears to be an effort to save his people!
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About
Iyanu 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 Yorubaland in his greedy hunt to capture her! The spirit of the WindMaker—an ancient and powerful protector of the Atalians—begins to awaken within Bo, a troubled warrior. Is this a ray of hope that will pave a path to salvation, or is it an omen signaling the end of a once prosperous country? Iyanu makes her way to the Source to save all of Yorubaland from an ancient curse. This time, however, she has help from her new friends! Together, they embark on an adventure full of twists, turns, and laughs that will change their lives forever! When an army of extraterrestrial androids is unleashed on the continent of Africa, Malika must put together a team of heroes to respond. Featuring appearances from other YouNeek YouNiverse, several YouNeek storylines finally converge! An epic sci-fi fantasy about an ancient, advanced West African civilization of space explorers. Their golden age comes to a halt after an enemy invasion and a once-thriving civilization is thrust into chaos as loyalty quickly becomes a liability.
Publisher : Dark Horse Books (September 7, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 150672308X
ISBN-13 : 978-1506723082
Item Weight : 1.65 pounds
Dimensions : 6.67 x 0.63 x 10.25 inches
