Malika – Warrior Queen: A Historical Fantasy Graphic Novel Inspired by West African History
Set in fifteenth-century West Africa, Malika – Warrior Queen follows the exploits of queen and military commander Malika, who struggles to keep the peace in her ever-expanding empire.
YouNeek Studios, the Maryland based transmedia company, is proud to announce the Kickstarter launch for their 5th graphic novel, Malika –Warrior Queen Part Two, which will be the newest addition to the YouNeek YouNiverse. The story takes place in the same universe (the YouNeek YouNiverse) as the E.X.O. series, roughly 500 years before the events of Lagoon City. You can back Malika Warrior Queen Part Two on Kickstarter today.
Coming off the hit graphic novel: Malika – Warrior Queen part One. which was featured on The Washington Post etc. and the Free Comic Book Day special Malika – Warrior Queen Chapter One, Malika – Warrior Queen Part Two will be the fifth book in the continuity of a shared universe of graphic novels called the “YouNeek Youniverse.” Dubbed “The MCU of graphic novels,” the YouNeek YouNiverse is a combination of individual graphic novel series (E.X.O., Malika, WindMaker etc.) tied together with one continuous, overall plot that weaves through each individual story.
“Producing this series has definitely been the most painstaking for me as a writer. The last two years have been filled with sleepless nights, months of research, moments of self-doubt and more. But I’ve loved every minute of it. Why? Because as much as this is a fictional story, it is both heavily inspired and framed by African history.
I drew inspiration for some aspects of Malika’s story from one of West Africa’s most significant female rulers. Queen Amina of Zazzau. In addition to that, Malika’s empire, Azzaz, is surrounded by African kingdoms and empires that existed before colonization. Africa has a wealth of history and mythology that is yet to become mainstream knowledge for everyone to experience and be inspired by. My hope is that the Malika series slowly begins to change that.”
– Roye Okupe, Co-Founder/CEO
Synopsis
Set in fifteenth-century West Africa, Malika (Pronounced “Ma-LIE-kah”): Warrior Queen follows the exploits of queen and military commander Malika, who struggles to keep the peace in her ever-expanding empire. In Part Two of the hit graphic novel series, Malika uncovers a painful betrayal by one of the people closest to her. The treachery unnerves a usually stoic and composed Malika, allowing her enemies both known and unknown, internal as well as external, encircle her, positioning themselves for the destruction of Azzaz, the empire she spent her entire adult life building. Can Malika recompose herself and save her people once again? Or is this betrayal the beginning of the end for Malika and the people of Azzaz? Only time will tell.
About the creator
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Roye Okupe is a creative specialist who holds both a Bachelor’s and Masters in computer science from The George Washington University. His passion for animation led him to found YouNeek Studios in 2012, an avenue that would allow him to pursue his dream of creating a diverse library of superheroes. Under that umbrella, Roye wrote, produced and directed several animated productions including, but not limited to, 2D/3D animated short films, TV commercials, show openers, music videos and much more. These productions have allowed Roye to attain much prestigious recognitions such as being #5 on Ventures Africa’s list of 40 African innovators to watch (2016) as well as being part of NewAfrican Magazines’ 100 most influential Africans of 2016.
With the superhero genre currently at the height of popularity, Roye has made it a goal to create a connected universe of heroes, with origins from locations that are currently neglected and/or ignored. In August 2015, Roye released his debut graphic novel titled: E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams Part One, a superhero story set in a futuristic Nigeria. E.X.O. was received with critical acclaim and has since been featured on CNN, Forbes, The New York Times, NBC, The Guardian, ABC7, BBC, The Huffington Post, Mashabe and more! Roye’s sophomore graphic novel: Malika – Warrior Queen was also received with critical acclaim, selling more than 40,000 copies of its chapter one special during Diamond Comic’s Free Comic Book Day (2017). Both books have gone on to win several awards including a Glyph Comic Award (2017) and a Heruica Character Creation Award (2017).
With the superhero genre currently at the height of popularity, Roye has made it a goal to create a connected universe of heroes, with origins from locations that are currently neglected and/or ignored. In August 2015, Roye released his debut graphic novel titled: E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams Part One, a superhero story set in a futuristic Nigeria. E.X.O. was received with critical acclaim and has since been featured on CNN, Forbes, The New York Times, NBC, The Guardian, ABC7, BBC, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, Mashabe and more!
You can order all YouNeek Studios titles, including Malika – Warrior Queen Part Two today by backing the Kickstarter at this link.
Credits
Writer/Creator: Roye Okupe
Pencils/Inks: Chima Kalu
Colors: Raphael Kazeem
Editor: Ayodele Elegba
Publisher: YouNeek Studios
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Greetings Roye Okupe,
I love Malika. I am currently working on a comic book set about 200 years before Malika in west Africa. I Loved the subtle references to African leaders { some referencing ancient Egypt}. I would love to see a flashback story depicting the meeting between Sonni Ali and Malika. What became of Askia Mohammad? Why did Sonni Ali threaten Malika? I hope you reveal these answers soon.
Do you have a list of books you used for reference materiel. Would you be so kind to share a list. These are some of mine.
A history of the Yoruba people : S. Adebanji Akintoyo
Pre colonial black Africa : Cheikh Anta Diop
Exiled Egyptains by Moustafa Gadalla
Timbuktu Chronicles: Mahmud Kati