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The Asiri: Dark Horse to Publish New Graphic Novel Series That Merges X-Men and Attack on Titan
The world of Iyanu: Child of Wonder was just the beginning. Dark Horse Comics and author Roye Okupe are expanding their partnership in the years to come. Okupe and his imprint YouNeek Studios have signed on to publish more graphic novels through Dark Horse starting in 2024.
This expanded partnership not only encompasses new additions to the Afrocentric “YouNeek YouNiverse” line, but also the debut of a brand new shared universe. That begins in 2024’s The Asiri Vol. 1, a book billed as equal parts X-Men and Attack on Titan.
Okupe will write The Asiri Vol. 1, with the creative team also including artist Samuel Iwunze, colorist Toyin “Morby” Ajetunmobi, cover artists Sunkanmi Akinboye & Etubi Onucheyo and letterer Spoof Animation.
“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 in Dark Horse’s press release. “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.”
Dark Horse and YouNeek’s collaboration began in 2021 with the release of Iyanu: Child of Wonder Vol. 1. That initial release led to a shared sci-fi universe that also includes series like Malika: Warrior Queen and E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams.
Iyanu is also currently being adapted as an animated series at HBO Max and Cartoon Network, with the series being financed and produced by Lion Forge Animation.
