Since the introduction of the YouNeek YouNiverse in early 2021, Dark Horse has been thrilled to bring Roye Okupe’s vision of authentic African superheroes to the printed page for a global audience. Now, Dark Horse will continue to publish the YouNeek line and a new world of stories in The Asiri!
“I think I need someone to pinch me because I feel like I am living in a dream or some sort of alternate universe. I thought I was on top of the world when we announced the publishing deal with Dark Horse last year. But now that it’s official that we’re going to be extending this deal…WOW!” said creator, Roye Okupe. “I feel so fortunate and I’m also humbled by the faith everyone at Dark Horse has put into this. It just goes to show you how committed Dark Horse as a company is to growing our industry and making big bets on and investing in diversity. Everyone at YouNeek Studios couldn’t be more excited about this partnership and I can’t wait for fans new and old to see the amazing things we’re working on.”
The next wave of YouNeek books begins with the eleventh graphic novel volume in the YouNeek YouNiverse, Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 4, scheduled for March 4, 2024, and the launch of the highly anticipated Asiri line (aka The Asiriverse) will happen in April 2024 with The Asiri Volume 1. Dubbed as “X-Men meets Attack on Titan,” The Asiri is a space exploration fantasy epic like the world has never seen before.
“So, when I first came up with the concept for The Asiri, one of the phrases that kept coming to mind was… ‘Africans in space? Heck yeah!’ I’ve always been a huge fan of fantasy and sci-fi stories with expansive and immersive worlds that still manage to tell a very character-driven story,” said Okupe.
“My goal with The Asiri is no different. This is a massive world with larger-than-life (sometimes quite literally) heroes, villains and people yet to decide. However, at the heart of this universe is a character-driven story centered around the conflict between a pacifist king and his warmongering general, who also happens to be his closest friend.”
To catch up on the creative offerings from the partnership between Dark Horse and YouNeek Studios, be sure to check out Malika: Warrior Queen Volumes 1 and 2, E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams Volume 1, Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 1, and WindMaker Volume 1, all on sale now wherever books are sold.
Praise for YouNeek Studios:
“Wale Williams—and his setting of ‘Lagoon City’—is to Lagos what Gotham City is to New York.” —Forbes
“’Bout time!” –Jamie Foxx
“E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams is the fast-paced, afro-futurist graphic novel from Roye Okupe.” –CNN
Source: Dark Horse
