African webtoons anyone?
I’m a heavy Webtoons user. The infinite, vertical scrolling format is awesome for reading comics on the go. No need to pinch to zoom, or scan over a page repeatedly to capture all the details. The inclusion of animation and music make for exciting and interactive reading. For reading on tiny screen, this format is perfect. It’s safe to say, I’m hooked.
For someone who loves reading African comics, the question has always lingered, where are the vertical scrolling comics from African creators? Do they exist at all? Here’s what I found.
Moraan by Avandu Comics (Salim Busuru) | Kenya
Poachers are a menace to African Wildlife. They hunt, sometimes butcher and eventually sell these animals, most of them endangered to the highest bidder. What if an elite unit was set up to stop them in their tracks? That’s Moraan, an elite unit sworn to protect and serve.
This exciting webcomic comes from the studios of Avandu Comics, with their signature art and some cool Masai warriors kicking butt.
My Grandfather Was a God by Collectible Comics (Dotun Akande & Murewa Ayodele) | Nigeria
TOFUNMI is the granddaughter of the supreme god of the heavens, OLORUN. When OLORUN stops coming for their usual meetups, monsters begin to leak into the human world. TOFUNMI must leave everything behind to face these monsters, ghouls, and gods till she finds her beloved grandfather… protecting innocent humans along the way.
Read it here.
Olwatuuka by Mongola Studios | Uganda
Based off an African Folk Tale, The story follows a young boy (Kakama) who is set out to destroy a vicious demon that has terrorized the world and killed his family. Watch as the story unfolds revealing immense drama, action and comedy in the world where the youngest hero will put all to an end or will he?
Read Olwatuuka here.
Holding On by Mazuba Chimbeza | Zambia
What would you do if you woke up in a strange land with a strange mark on your hand? This series follows Lucas as he looks for that which matters the most to him in a world that he knows nothing about.
Outlaws by Salami Rebekah | Nigeria
What happens when on your last day of vacation at a party with your friends, you end up getting stabbed, witness a murder, get involved with a super powered girl, and discover you have powers? Kendrick Uyiosa and Megan are fated to meet at such a state which could bring the wake of a hidden secret the Huda Organization has long been searching for. But would these trials turn both into enemies or nurture an unavoidable romance?
Read Outlaws here.
Handrava by Rado Kelini | Madagascar
Handrava follows the life of Voanio and her friends in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
Voanio is a young woman with a strong body and a soft heart. She works at the market by day and pulls a cart by night. And after, if she has time left, she cleans her neighborhood’s streets with her cousin Papango. Life is not easy for Voanio, but she still tries her best.
Read Handrava here.
Sophie the Giant Slayer by Kay Carmichael | South Africa
Sophie the Giant-Slayer is simply a black and white adventure comic about a little girl fighting giants. Borrowing from Fortress of Solitude, “the comic tells the story of a female protagonist named Sophie who has received the task of slaying Earth’s biggest threat; giants. These are not your typical overgrown human-looking giants from the days your mom told you the story of “Jack and the Beanstalk” to help you sleep at night. These giants look threatening, evil and extra-terrestrial.”
Read Sophie the Gian Slayer on Tapas.
Red Origins by Kolanut Productions | Nigeria
Obi with his two friends, John and Temi, are mystically transported to NeoAfrica. Upon arrival, they mistakenly break a bronze taboo and must serve out a one-year sentence in the Juju Peace Corp. Now, in the midst of a brewing war, they must undertake a dangerous quest in order to bring peace to the world. Obi, John, and Temi must travel throughout the vast continent of NeoAfrica. Each new juju the young heroes complicates their life in the living world and the spiritual world.
Read Red Origins.
Beyond the Walls by Natasha Nayo | Ghana
Join Ginger, Kitch and Pom…the few surviving Borrowers of their generation as they go through their busy, crazy filled adventures in the modern world!
Read Beyond the Walls.
Perceptions: Kaino by Tapiwa Sikota | Zimbabwe
This is a slice-of-life, sci-fi webtoon about he life of a high school student aiming to become the best version of himself.
Read Perceptions: Kaino here.
It Hurts Here by Alan Osayi | Nigeria
It Hurts Here is a slice of life comic by Nigerian creator, Allan Osayi which details his daily life.
Read It Hurts Here on Tapas.
Kibuuka by Mongola Studios | Uganda
Based off a traditional African story, Kibuuka is a story about a man who is destined to be the god of war…but destiny is not always so clear for the humor filled bright teenager and his good for nothing friend Ayo who are always looking to have fun. Join Kibuuka on his journey as he becomes the greatest warrior..or god? ever groomed.
Read Kibuuka here.
Neptune’s Bluez by Kolanut Productions | Nigeria
In a galaxsea where humans have learned to coexist with other lifeforms, music is still the universal language. A band called the Neptune’s Bluez is broke, down, and out because they’ve lost their lead singer. As fate would have it, the day the band stumbled onto a masked vocalist, the King made an announcement: 50 zillion Cera reward to the band that can lift his spirits at this century’s Solar Flex. The troupe must get their act together so they don’t miss the opportunity of their lifetime.
Read Neptune’s Bluez here.
Help Me, Ancestor by Kugali | Nigeria
Help Me, Ancestor is an episodic series that pays homage to the histories and ancestries of African people across the Continent. It focuses on the trials and tribulations of various deceased family members and friends (both heroes and villains) as they come back to haunt, help and otherwise hinder the lives of modern-day Africans.
Help Me, Ancestor is basically an anthology of African webtoons and features art by multiple artists such as Bill Masuku, Gbenle Maverick, Cosmas Arintwe and writing by authors like Jessica Tagbajumi, Edwin Rwothomio and more.
Read it here.
Save State by Cuisel Peach, Francis Goodluck & Babtunde Ajibulu | Nigeria
An Otaku is given a second chance at life and finds herself between the veil that connects multiple world, but just before she is allowed entry to start her life anew, she has to pass a little self-inflicted test with one of the most powerful beings in that realm.
Read it here.
Mutupo by Kudakwashe Rwizi
Using the power of Mutupo – the ability to use your totem animal’s attributes as a superpower to augment your physiology – is not only rare, it’s illegal! Until visionary billionare Lumbani creates the first ever Mutupo tournament, for Mutupo users to fight and compete against each other. What is Lumbani’s goal? Will the police let the tournament happen? Who will win?
Follow Shingai on his journey of self-discovery against other Mutupo users and the police who oppose them
Update:This article was updated on December 31, 2022 to include Kuda Rwizi’s Mutupo webtoon.
What do you think?
Show comments / Leave a comment