About

About YouNeek Studios.

An award-winning, multiplatform entertainment company founded by Roye Okupe. We create globally resonant stories inspired by African history, culture and mythology, across graphic novels, animation, film, television and games.

Heroes and Divine Ones of the YouNeek YouNiverse

Empowering African creatives and storytelling for a global audience. We build world-class franchises from African IP and put African mythology and storytelling at the center of global pop culture.

WhyA movementTo create a movement of African-inspired storytelling across multiple mediums.

MissionEmpowerEmpowering African creatives and storytelling for a global audience.

VisionThe global homeTo become the global home for African-inspired fantasy and superhero storytelling: iconic characters, enduring franchises, and sustainable opportunities for African creators.

Founded: 2015, by Roye Okupe
Publishing: Dark Horse Comics, 20-book deal
Sold: 150,000+ graphic novels
On screen: Iyanu on Cartoon Network & HBO Max

The people behind the stories

The Team.

Founder & CEO

Roye Okupe

An award-winning Nigerian-American filmmaker, screenwriter, author and entrepreneur. Roye created Iyanu: Child of Wonder and is creator, executive producer and showrunner of the Iyanu animated series, and writer-director of both Iyanu films. He wrote, produced and directed the award-winning Malika: Warrior Queen animated short.

Named one of New African Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Africans (2016 and 2017), ranked on Ventures Africa’s list of African innovators to watch, and nominated for the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics (2021).

I noticed there weren’t a lot of African-inspired stories in the genre, and I decided to change that.Roye Okupe

Erica MotleyExecutive Producer & Board Member

An international acquisitions, packaging and financing expert with more than 20 years in scripted entertainment, including roles at HBO and UIP. A creative partner at Impact X and an executive producer on Malika: Warrior Queen.

Paula GrovesBoard Member

Chief Investment Officer at Impact X Capital, with decades in private equity and venture investing focused on founders from underrepresented communities. Stanford BA, Harvard MBA.

Godwin AkpanArt Director

A self-taught Nigerian digital artist and the art director on the Iyanu animated series. Godwin illustrated the first Iyanu: Child of Wonder graphic novels and has created key art and covers across the YouNeek YouNiverse, including Malika.

Sunkanmi AkinboyeIllustrator

Lagos-based illustrator and YouNeek’s lead artist for more than a decade. Sunkanmi has illustrated over ten YouNeek graphic novels, including E.X.O., Malika and Iyanu, and brings his martial arts training into his action scenes.

Toyin AjetunmobiIllustrator

Lagos-based illustrator, concept artist and colorist. Toyin colored Iyanu: Child of Wonder Vol. 2, winner of the 2022 Nommo Award for Best Graphic Novel, and Vols. 4 and 5, and was a 2021 Ringo Awards nominee for Best Colorist.

Awards & recognition

20263 NAACP Image Award nominationsIyanu: Outstanding Animated Series, Outstanding Children’s Program, Outstanding Writing (The Age of Wonders)

2026VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award, Honor TitleIyanu Library Edition Vol. 1

2024Nommo Award, Best Graphic NovelWindMaker Vol. 1

2024NYPL Best New ComicsThe Asiri

2022Nommo Award, Best Graphic NovelIyanu: Child of Wonder Vol. 2

2021NPR’s Best Books of the YearE.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams Vol. 1

2019Best Animated ShortMalika: Warrior Queen (AFRIFF; Los Angeles Independent Film Festival)

2017–20Glyph Comics AwardsE.X.O., Iyanu, Malika

Partners & platforms

Dark Horse Comics · Cartoon Network · HBO Max · Lion Forge Animation · Showmax · ITVX · CBC Gem · ABC iview

Laurel, Maryland · Lagos, Nigeria

Partner with us

Build with YouNeek.

Licensing, co-production, publishing, games, and brand partnerships.