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Studio announcements, press coverage, and updates from creator Roye Okupe.
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Iyanu · Iyanu World PremiereThe Iyanu title sequence premieres, with a theme song sung by Grammy Award-winning artist Yemi Alade.
Iyanu · Iyanu airs on ShowmaxIyanu is coming to Showmax, which broadcasts to roughly 44 African countries.
The Asiri · The extraordinary heroes of The AsiriThe Ascended have arrived. Meet the heroes of The Asiri Vol. 1.
Iyanu · Iyanu Animated Series AnnouncedThe all-Nigerian voice cast for the Iyanu animated series is announced.
Podcast · How to get a Publishing or Book DealThe best way to get a publishing or book deal, from The Business of Creators.
Podcast · Iyanu Volume 2 UpdateOn this episode of The YouNeek Show, Roye Okupe and Jay Abaje discuss some really exciting Iyanu Vol 2 progress updates. We…
Podcast · What is The Asiri?Roye and Jay discuss The Asiri, YouNeek Studios’ first project outside the YouNeek YouNiverse.
Podcast · The YouNeek Show ep2 – Starting or Growing your Creative Business (Comics, Animation, Publishing etc.)"What is your Micky Mouse" On this episode of The YouNeek Show, Roye Okupe and Jay Abaje discuss what it takes to…
Podcast · The YouNeek Show ep1 – Where is Malika Episode 2?"We could've done something by now but it won't have been at the quality that I wanted it to be. It won't…
Iyanu · Iyanu Volume 2 Cover RevealBREAKING! Here's yet another tease of the BRAND NEW and exciting books you can expect from the YouNeek x Dark Horse Comics…
WindMaker · WindMaker Volume One AnnouncementANNOUNCEMENT! We're so excited to finally announce our first ALL-NEW title with Dark Horse Comics - WindMaker Volume 1, which arrives APRIL…
The Asiri · The Asiri AnnouncmentNEW PROJECT ALERT! Ladies and gentlemen, we proudly present to you... THE ASIRI.⠀ ⠀ For the FIRST TIME EVER, YouNeek Studios has…
Press Release · Dark Horse Welcomes YouNeek Studios in Monumental 10-Book DealBeginning Fall 2021, Dark Horse Books Will Be Releasing All-New Editions and Growing Self-Published Line in Partnership with YouNeek Studios and Dwayne…
The Oloris · BREAKING! YouNeek Announces First Team Up Book – The OlorisNext year will mark 5 years since we embarked on this crazy journey of starting YouNeek Studios (officially, the company was registered…
Malika · Malika vol 3 Cover & Title Reveal!!!Here it is, my friends... The next chapter in the EPIC Malika series has arrived... Well just the cover, lol... This summer...…
E.X.O. · Sick Quote From A Sick RobotAVON - "Even imbeciles give birth to geniuses" Lol! Wow! So cold! Wondering where that comes from? Well, those are AVON's words,…
Malika · BREAKING! YouNeek Reveals EPIC Malika Concept ArtNothing makes me happier than kicking off 2019 with some EXCLUSIVE, never released, EPIC images featuring our African superhero, queen and all around badass: Malika!…
Iyanu · BREAKING! YouNeek Reveals First Teen Hero – IyanuAre you sitting down? Cause you're gonna need to for this one. Get ready to pick your jaw off the floor as we…
Malika · Malika Animated Pilot Release DateWe've got some key updates for the Malika Animated Pilot. Sort of a good news-bad news sort of thing... First, the bad…
Malika · YouNeek Studio’s Malika Selected For Free Comic Book Day 2019 (3 Years In a Row)This would make the third Malika book in a row that has been selected for Free Comic Book Day! And this one…
Comic Books · Southern Africa’s Biggest Comics and Graphic Novels so far…Feature Image Credit - http://www.karibamovie.com/ Comic books and graphic novels have been around for a while now (with sequential art appearing as early…
Malika · YouNeek’s Malika to appear in Free Comic Book Day Two Years in a RowYouNeek Studios, the Maryland based graphic novel and animation company, has announced today that their hit graphic novel series, Malika, will be…
Press Release · YouNeek Studios Signs Exclusive Deal with Turnaround Publisher Services for Distribution in UK/EuropeYouNeek Studios, the Maryland based graphic novel and animation company, has announced their exclusive deal with Turnaround Publisher Services, the UK’s leading…
Comic Books · YouNeek One Shots – Independent Stories That Tie Into The Overall Plot Of The YouNeek YouNiverseYouNeek Studios Presents - YouNeek One-Shots YouNeek Studios is proud to announce the launch of YouNeek One-Shots! Short form comics that serve…
Malika · PR – Malika Warrior Queen Part Two KickstarterMalika – Warrior Queen: A Historical Fantasy Graphic Novel Inspired by West African History Set in fifteenth-century West Africa, Malika - Warrior…
creating an African superhero · You’ll Always Be Like Everyone Else Until…Before I complete that sentence... Wow! It has been way too long since my last entry to the "Creating an African Superhero"…
WindMaker · WindMaker: Re-imagining African History & MythologyWindmaker: The History of Atala is one part art book, one part prequel that pulls from the amazing depths of African mythology,…
WindMaker · Legendary WindMaker Full BioUniverse YouNeek YouNiverse Real Name Bass Kazaar Aliases WindMaker, The Legendary WindMaker Identity Publicly known Citizenship Atalian Place of Birth Atala First…
Malika · Malika Full BioUniverse YouNeek YouNiverse Real Name Malika Bakwa Aliases The Great Unifier Identity Publicly known Citizenship Azzazian Place of Birth Azzaz (fictional West…
Characters · A New And YouNeek Superhero YouNiverseYouNeek Studios, the Maryland based transmedia company, is proud to announce their third title, Malika: Warrior Queen will be the newest addition…
creating an African superhero · How To Survive(And Stay Sane) While Chasing Your DreamsSeems like the number of days between these blog posts is getting longer and longer *covers face*. My apologies to all who…
WindMaker · The WindMaker Comic Book Series (Graphic Novel)Here it is! The newest addition to the YouNeek YouNiverse... The WindMaker! Before the launch of the book series, The WindMaker will…
Malika · Malika: Warrior QueenSo excited to finally reveal more on this massive project! Up next in the YouNeek YouNiverse (after E.X.O. part 2) will be…
YouNeek YouNiverse · YouNeek YouNiverse: GenesysThe YouNeek YouNiverse: Genesys The comic book industry has been in existence for over 75 years! And while it has had it’s…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. Part Two Will Be Released August 24TH!Finally! We have a DATE! E.X.O. PART 2 WILL be released AUGUST 24th! EVERYWHERE! (cover and back page above). First off, I…
creating an African superhero · 6 Things To Do When You Just Wanna Give Up The DreamDoing independent comics is tough business. Matter of fact, starting or running any kind of business or being an entrepreneur is tough.…
E.X.O. · How I Got My Project On CNN, Forbes, NY Times & More In Less Than A YearWow, feels good to get back to writing blogs more consistently. Today I'm going to continue with my "Creating an African Superhero"…
Previews · Preview – Keisha Carter is Mega WomanIt truly is a great time for independent comics! More and more indie creators are stepping up and finding ways to reach…
creating an African superhero · Think no one is paying attention to your project? Read thisWow! It's been way too long since I updated this blog. I definitely need to find more time for this. It's been…
How tos · My Interview With Brian Bendis. 6 Things You Need For Success As a Comic CreatorI've been a HUGE fan of Brian Michael Bendis ever since I first read the Avengers: Age of Ultron comics (I know…
Comic Books · 6 African superhero comics to look out forIt's been amazing the attention mainstream media has been giving to Africans who are making a difference in the comic book space.…
How tos · Kickstarter Comics: 7 Things You Need For A Successful CampaignIt's no doubt that Kickstarter has been responsible for jump starting (and in some cases reviving) the careers of several independent comic…
creating an African superhero · What does a tree have to do with creating comics & superheroes? Check this outPlanting trees? Creating comics? Yea, I know, makes absolutely no sense. But give me 5 minutes and I promise it will. Okay,…
E.X.O. · [E.X.O. Update] Why Female Superheroes Are So AwesomeI still remember it like it was yesterday. Anxiously waiting for Saturday morning to run into the living room, power on my…
Characters · Superhero Powers: Batman vs Superman, Cap vs Ironman. This is How We Know Who Will WinSuperheroes--we all love them and want to be them. Okay, maybe not all of us but you get the point. Since the…
E.X.O. · [E.X.O. Part 2 Update] Why You Should Keep Moving Forward Even After You FailHey there, it's Roye! As usual here's a E.X.O. part 2 behind the scenes update! But before that, I just wanted to…
creating an African superhero · Creating An African Superhero Part 3: Hard Work Isn’t EnoughAnd we are back! Took me a little long, but I finally got a chance to continue the "Creating an African Superhero"…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. – The Legend of Wale Williams – Nominated For Best Animated Short At AFRIFFYouNeek Studios releases part 2 of three of the E.X.O. test animated clips in honor of the AFRIFF nomination for best-animated short.…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. Fan Art Competition****UPDATE - AND THE WINNER IS... Congratulations to Babajide Adebimpe, winner of the E.X.O. fan art competition! We just want to say…
E.X.O. · Creating An African Superhero Part 2: Persistence PaysSo due to popular demand, I'm finally getting around to writing a follow up to my latest blog post: How I Created…
E.X.O. · Creating An African Superhero: Don’t Be Afraid To FailYou know a lot of people regularly ask me how I've managed to take E.X.O. as far as it has gone. To…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. Fan Art Competition – Your Chance to Win $100!So it's OFFICIAL! There will be a WORLDWIDE E.X.O. fan art competition! The winner goes away with a $100 CASH PRIZE! (submissions…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. Behind The Scenes Featurette Part TwoThe last couple of weeks have been so awesome for the E.X.O. book launch. We sold out on Amazon where we've since…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. Behind The Scenes Featurette Part OneEver wondered what exactly went into putting together the E.X.O. project? Ever wondered why the project even began? Or what some of…
Bios · Fury Full BioUniverse YouNeek Youniverse Real Name Zahra Martins Aliases Fury, Purple Problem Identity Publicly Unknown Citizenship Nigerian/British (Biracial) Place of Birth Lagoon City,…
E.X.O. · EXO Full BIOUniverse YouNeek YouNiverse Real Name Adewale "Wale" Williams Aliases EXO, EXO-NOVA, Herald of Peace Identity Publicly Unknown Citizenship Nigeria Place of Birth…
Bios · The CREED Full BioLead by Oniku, The CREED are a radical group with the aim to rid Lagoon City of its “problems” by any means…
Bios · DREDs Full BioThe DREDs (Dominant Robotic Exoskeletal Drones) are autonomous, combat ready robots designed by PryTek. They were developed using research left behind by…
Bios · Twoshots Full BioUniverse YouNeek YouNiverse Real Name Ibrahim Kazeem Aliases Twoshots, The Phoenix Assasin Identity Publicly Unknown Citizenship Nigerian Place of Birth Nigeria First…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. – The Legend of Wale Williams — An African Superhero Graphic Novel & Animated MovieYouNeek Studios, the Maryland based transmedia company, is proud to bring the graphic novel, E.X.O. - The Legend of Wale Williams Part…
Bios · Oniku Full BioUniverse YouNeek YouNiverse Real Name Unknown Aliases General, The Masked Sociopath Identity Publicly Unknown Citizenship Nigeria Place of Birth Lagos, Nigeria First…
E.X.O. · Whatever Your Dreams & Aspirations Are, You Can Do It!So, I just want to drop a quick jolt of motivation this week for anyone out there that may need it. Yesterday…
Comic Books · Will Marvel get Africa “Right” in the Upcoming Black Panther Movie?For most African comic book enthusiasts it was a complete joy to hear that Marvel was in talks with a female director…
Film/TV · Is African Sci Fi Too Conservative?I've had a very exciting week in which I have been researching what other bloggers and writers have to say about the…
Animation · African Stories: If We Don’t Tell Them They WillFilm history reflects an interesting situation in which western literature, history, culture and western society itself has influenced the kind of stories…
Comic Books · World Building: Is Hollywood Sacrificing Story in Order to “Sell” Characters?I was catching up with social media this morning and mainly observing the various opinions and random things that artists and different…
Comic Books · Go Pro or go Home! Analyzing the Various ways to Publish an Indie Comic BookIn today's comic book industry the competition is several times greater than during the Golden age of comics (which was highly competitive…
Comic Books · Overview Of Digital Animation Tools Available To Small Scale Studios TodayWith the fast development of computer technology and the drop in prices of computer hardware and memory its becoming more affordable to…
Animation · How Africa’s Small Animation Studio Format Compares To Japans Early Anime StudiosA lot of animation enthusiasts who look upon the business of creating animated film in Africa have high hopes but also have…
Animation · Big Misconceptions About Successful Comic Books & Animated FilmsAfter a radio interview I had along with My colleague Tinodiwa Makoni on Zifm Stereo (a Zimbabwean radio Station) I took some…
Writing · African Storytelling Techniques in Creative Writing. Rethinking the 3 Act Storyline.The journey of a hero in some cases can become extremely predictable. To Some extent this may be due to the 3…
Comic Books · The components of the modern villain in African comic book stories.With the passage of time the threats to every community, nation or civilization has differed vastly. From the Vikings that threatened the…
E.X.O. · E.X.O., An African Superhero Graphic Novel (Update #3)Alrighty guys! Today we have an awesome update! It's a fully colored page 4 (letters yet to be added) and it looks…
Film/TV · Superhero Animated MoviesSuperhero Animated Movies & Films In the last decade no other genre has commanded high box office numbers like the superhero movies…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. Graphic Novel Update #2 – PRYTEKPRYTEK! Who exactly are they? Well no one really knows. Some say the PRYTEK are the most technological advanced organizations in Lagoon…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. COVER ARTHere it is guys! It's official! We have settled in on the cover art for the E.X.O. Graphic Novel. With the help…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. Graphic Novel Update#1 – The CREEDSo I decided…. Instead of just posting random pictures about the development of the graphic novel, It’s better I took a more…
E.X.O. · Introducing The Main CharactersE.X.O. (Center) And here he is, our brave (but sometimes impetuous) hero Wale Williams aka E.X.O. Following his return home to Nigeria…
E.X.O. · E.X.O. – The Legend of Wale Williams | SynopsisTricked into returning home to Nigeria after being absent for five years, Wale (pronounced Wah-leh) Williams embarks on a journey to investigate…
E.X.O. · Lagoon City: A Beautiful SettingThe year is 2025, with the plot set in a fictional Nigerian location named Lagoon City, modeled after Lagos Island, Nigeria. Lagoon…
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