Nigerian graphic artist, Roye Okupe is getting ready to release his new graphic novel E.X.O: The Legend of Wale Williams Part 1, featuring a Nigerian superhero, this summer.
The book follows the story of Wale Williams, a young man who is tricked into returning to fictional Nigerian town called Lagoon City (which is based on Lagos Island) and is shocked by how much his home town and country has changed. Using a nano super-suit, created by his genius and mysteriously missing engineer father, Wale goes on an epic journey to find Dr Williams and save his beloved home town.
Okupe, who has a Master’s degree in computer science from George Washington University, aims to use his new superhero to challenge perceptions of Africa across the world. The portrayal of Lagoon City highlights its real life counterpart’s buzzing cultural landscape, with its high rise buildings, up beat music and colourful people.
“My mission with EXO: The Legend of Wale Williams is to put Africa on the map when it comes to telling superhero stories, be it animated or through superhero comics and graphic novels,” Okupe said in an interview with Okay Africa.
“I believe if done properly (great script, good production values etc.), Nigerians, Africans and people all over the world will be receptive. We don’t necessarily love characters like Superman, Batman or Spiderman because of their place of origin. We love them because they have great stories we can identify with.”
As well as being the creator of The Legend of Wale Williams, Okupe also founded Youneek studios in 2012, and has written and produced several animations including 2D and 3D short films, television advertisements, music videos and much more.
He hopes “to create a connected universe of heroes, with origins from locations that are currently neglected and ignored”.
