Fan Art Variants of StrikeGuard

Dual Identity

Photo Credit: The Vortex

What happens when comic fans who love to draw take time to make a variant cover of their favourite comic hero in this case StrikeGuard?!! You get awesome #FanTango. Read more about Vortex Comicsbeloved character here.

“Eyan Mayweather” Variant Poster for StrikeGuard #3

Photo Credit: Dominic Oziren Omoarukhe

Avonome - Issues #3 & #4 Coming Soon!!!

Comic Republic, the foremost comic media company in Nigeria brings double dose of awesomeness by releasing 2 issues of their headlining heroine title scheduled for 15^th of December 2015 before 2016 creeps in.

Avonome: Cover Art

Photo Credit: Comic Republic’s Official Facebook LikePage

Avonome is the story of Hilda Avonomemi Moses, born in 1937, in the remote village of Etunor, a settlement in Ighara, Edo state. She disappears without a trace only to reappear in a cemetery in recent times, still unchanged, with no memory of who she was or where she had been all this while, except knowledge of her name, a mysterious companion and an unbelievable gift - the ability to see spirits...

Promo Art 1

Photo Credit: Comic Republic’s Official Facebook LikePage

3 African Comics Made It Onto the 50 Indy Black SuperHeroes That You Should Know

Cover Art for 50 Indy Black SuperHeroes

Photo Credit: World of Black Heroes

It is my pleasure to present the “50 Indy Black SuperHeroes” that you should that should know. Compiled courtesy of “World of Black Heroes”; which is a website dedicated to following the portrayal of Black heroes; Black here is a term loosely being used to refer to the racial group of humans with dark skin colour, to categorize a number of diverse populations into one common group. This list includes African American characters, characters of sub-Saharan African descent, Australian indigenous people, dark skinned Latinos or populations characterized by dark skin colour (a definition that also includes certain populations in Oceania, Southeast Asia, southern South Asia, and the southern Middle East). World of Black Heroes will bring you everything on these characters in comics, movies, on TV, books and the people who bring them to you, the voracious comic readers and fans!!! Indy/Independent in this case will be used to signify not associated with or connected to the big three: Marvel, DC and Image Comics.

3 of my favourite comic titles that I have read and high recommend from Africa made it into the list, one from South Africa(39^th on the list) and 2 from Nigeria (47^thand 48^th on the list…yippee...Am waving the green and white flag for my home country!!!). Ladies and gents; here they are as follows below:

Kwezi Cover Art - Issue #02

Photo Credit: Loyiso Mkize Art

Publisher: Loyiso Mkize Art

Created by: Loyiso Mkize

1st appearance: Kwezi #1, 2014

Brief Biography

 Kwezi means ‘star’ in Xhosa and Zulu; an appropriate name for a 19-year-old youngster who discovers that he is gifted with super powers. He starts out as a bit of an anti-hero torn between the temptations of the big city life and staying true to his cultural roots. Like any other kid walking the streets of Johannesburg, Kwezi likes girls and fashion, but his life gets more intricate when he learns that he is different from his peers. The narrative unfolds as Kwezi tries to mediate living large in the city and accepting social responsibility for his powers. With Kwezi, we finally have a South African superhero who deals with local issues and makes references to local jokes and who uses slang that is true to the streets of Johannesburg. Loyiso,his creator’s hope is that Kwezi will ultimately become a cult figure; a one of a kind superhero that truly represents the youth of South Africa. For more info visit the official website.

E.X.O: The Legend of Wale Williams – Issue #01

Photo Credit: YouNeek Studios

Publisher: YouNeek Studios

Created by: Roye Okupe

1st Appearance: E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams Chapter 1

Brief Biography

E.X.O - Reckless and impatient; these are some of the words that describe this “Hero in the making”. Wale’s genius makes him slightly arrogant and audacious, which more than often leads him into dangerous situations. However, throughout his journey, his bravery, selflessness and strength will show why his true calling is to be Lagoon City’s hero. Wale was born and raised in Lagoon City, Nigeria, but due to an incident, Wale leaves Lagoon City never to return. 
However, 5 years later Wale is tricked into returning home to Lagoon City to investigate his father’s mysterious disappearance.  His only clue is a cryptic NanoSuit left behind for him by his father, a suit which grants superhuman abilities. As he comes to understand the suit’s powers, Wale realizes he must restore hope to the city by preventing catastrophic attacks from the sociopath extremist, Oniku. For more info visit the YouNeek Studios website.

Might of Guardian Prime – Issue #03

Photo Credit: The Comic Republic

Publisher: Comic Republic

Created by: Jide Martin

1st appearance:   Might of Guardian Prime Issue 1, June 2013

Brief Biography

Guardian Prime is the fifth element, one of the five elements essential for life to exist on earth (earth, water, air, fire and man). He is the perfect man created how God intended man to be (in his image).

A Guardian is born to the human race every 2000 years; some live their lives without ever knowing. Gaya (Mother Nature) awakens the Guardian in the host when the need arises and this time the guardian is a Nigerian (Tunde Jaiye). Tunde Jaiye , a 25 year old fashion designer by day and a super hero whenever the need arises lives in Victoria Garden Lekki in Eko City. The son of Chief Biodun Jaiye, a politician and Mrs. Evelyn Jaiye, a business woman; Tunde, brought up mostly by his mom has lived a sheltered and pampered life and as a result has his perception of what he believes a better Nigeria should be. For more info visit the Comic Republic website.

Click Here for the full the Full List.

Article Credits/References: Google, Comic Panel, World of Black Heroes and CG Blogger’s Archives

The Comic Republic Releases "ERU" Issue III

Promo Flyer for the Release

Photo Credit: Comic Republic’s Official Facebook Like Page

“Eru” which literally means fear in the Yoruba language of the populous South-Western people of Nigeria is a dark twisted fantasy comic about an antihero who is really a hero by his deeds ridding the world of evil and its minions. In this third issue, we now get to see Eru's human form,have a better understanding of the hero’s background and what makes him who he is. It is has been likened to a Nigerian spin-off of Spawn with a uniquely African flavour. Loved it and I personally recommend you read it also.

Eru Issue III : Cover Art

Photo Credit: Comic Republic’s Official Facebook Like Page

According to the comic’s creator, Tobe Ezeogu he had this to say about the next installment of the comic below paraphrasing:

Digital Training Workshop

Promo Flyer for the Event

Photo Credit: Comic Panel

For starters, I would like to apologize for not blogging about this awesome event earlier when I attended months ago hey just found time in my busy schedule after so much procrastination*laughing out loud*winks*but it would be a greater disservice to the local industry not to talk about it at all. Early this year in the month of March enjoying some downtime at a previous creative firm I had worked for to surf the net and peruse the creative groups I belong to on Facebook. (Yeah don’t give me that look, am a creative techgeek that is what really keeps me online there*sorry*ladies, it is not about you all the time*winks with a grin*)

Now as I was saying I happened to be on the Association of Comic Makers of Nigeria (ACMON)and the NigerianComic Artists Group (NCAG) being a #comichead who still loves comics and an avid reader of both indigenous and international content/media. I then saw an interesting post by Ayodele “Dreammaker” Elegba (Head Honcho at (Mustard Seed Communications/ComicPanel) for a forth coming Digital Painting Workshop - A  One Day Intensive Workshop in Digital Painting .

The creative event was organised by Comic Panel, organisers of the popular Lagos ComicCon Event now in its 4^th edition as of when this article was written since 2012 and sponsored by WhiteTechnology/Wacom Nigeria, resellers of Wacom and Ugee digital tabs with their accessories. The venue was Wacom Nigeria’s office at Plot 71, Isheri/Ogunnusi Road, Akiode Bus-Stop, by Omole Phase 1 Estate, Ojodu-Berger, Ikeja, Lagos. It was a sweet opportunity to meet the guest instructor, Godwin Akpan (Digital Artist – Godwin Akpan Studio) who I happen to be a fan of ever since getting to visit his website(warning: you will be blown away with awesomeness). He is known for digital painting for comics/cover art, rapid character concept art for animation, storyboarding for films and matte painting for fantasy environments creating out of these world visuals/backdrops for animation and film use.

Ishakabar the Conqueror (named by me)

Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio

Sexy Female Concept Art (named by me)

Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio

The event kicked off slightly after the scheduled time of 10am for attendees including me to get settled in. The host for the day was Ayo as he introduced himself and welcomed everyone to the event. The instructor in his usual humorous and laid back manner took us through his experience as a comic artist, storyboard artist and digital painter using Adobe Photoshop CS6 while doing his best not be too technical for those new to the subject.

He also introduced attendees to the works of international digital/matte painting artists for concept art and fantasy environments like Noah Bradley, Dylan Cole (popular for his works on films such as Dare Devil starring Ben Affleck and Avatar by James Cameron to name a few), Patrick Brown and Fengzhu. 

Sango - Concept Art

Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio

Lost City Fantasy Environment (named by me)

Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio

The tasks for the event were as follows:

Task 1:

Attendees were now taken through the art of creating digital matte backgrounds for films and games by a creating a fantasy environment composition using the National Arts Theatre on a floating island across a lake surrounded by rocky terrain using a Wacom tab in Photoshop CS6.

Task 2:

            The art of colouring comics session had we all colour a comic sketch from Lloyd’s Security: Private Detective (LSPD) and the best attempt would win a brand new Wacom tab from the sponsors. The winner turned out to be a female artist, Cynthia and was presented her prize by Mr Ralph and Mr Olanrewaju Malik of WhiteTechnology/Wacom Nigeria.

Comic Sketch of LSPD Comic

Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio/LSPD Comic

All in all, the event was really was worth the hype and added to my basic knowledge about digital art and matte painting. I got the chance to meet for the first time, Eri Umusu aka Erimation (3d Artist/Animator) popularly known for his dystopian fantasy the SIM animation short, Akinwande Ayodeji Akinola (Graphic/Digital Artist at CKDigital), Dominic Oziren Omoarukhe (Digital Artist/Illustrator), Chike Newman Nwankwo (Comic Illustrator/Character Design Artist) and Tunrayo Oloyede amongst other people. A big thumbs up to the organisers for the memorable experience.

            More pictures from the event below and enjoy the visuals:

Venue of the Event

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Myself and the Instructor, Godwin Akpan

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

 Class Session where Instructor shows how Digital Tabs Look Like

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Class Session where Instructor Sets Up the Canvas in Photoshop CS6

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Easy Going and Bubbly 3D Artist/Animator of the SIM known as

Eri Umusu aka Erimation

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Presentation of Wacom Tab to Cynthia by Mr Ralph with Ayo “Dreammaker” Elegba (Comic Panel)

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Presentation of Wacom Tab to Cynthia by Mr Ralph with Ayo “Dreammaker” Elegba (Comic Panel) and Godwin Akpan

Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives

Article Credits/References: Google and CG Blogger’s Archives