Movies, animation, comics, gaming, digital art and tech. Want to know what’s happening in Africa and beyond? Here’s the Run Down for this week.
NEWS OUT OF AFRICA – Comics/Entertainment
The Story of KoKou
In a desolate world full of violence, cruelty and bondage a lone warrior named KoKou, wages war against a group of creatures called the djinn. Kokou soon meets another like himself, a young girl who was once human and has now been given the power to be an artificial djinn, and who just might help him change the world.
This is the story of Kugali Media’s brand new upcoming comic – KoKou. Written by Ziki Nelson, the creator of Iwájú, Disney’s upcoming African animated series, KouKou is a Pan-African comic is a story of a quest for power, meaning and inner strength. And you can help bring this story to the world!
The Kokou Kickstarter!
Kugali Media have launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring this dark fantasy, rooted in mythological traditions across Africa, into the world. The KoKou comic will be 120 pages long and will be written in black and white, to further match the dark and strong feel of the story. Participators in the Kickstarter have the opportunity to win the following prizes: soft copy of the book, soft copy with merch, a hardcopy and a hardcopy with merch.
The Kickstarter is scheduled to end on 20 May, 2021. Already, KoKou has been selected as#Project We Love by Kickstarter. Check out more on Kickstarter and help bring the story of KoKou to an even greater audience!
Vanguard Overwatch is Here!
After a long wait, fans of Comic Republic flagship title Vanguard, can finally set their eyes on the next comic in the superhero team-up series, Vanguard Overwatch #1! , The new issue is available to read for free on the Comic Republic website. Head over there now and find out if Bootinu’s powers and the strength of the Vanguards will be enough to save the day or this is the one time that evil prevails?
Check out more https://www.thecomicrepublic.com/2020/ReadComics.html
NEWS BEYOND AFRICA –Gaming/Movies
Silver Rains Strike A Deal With EA
Earlier this year, it was announced that Silver Rains, a game development studio founded by BAFTA nominated actor and producer Abubakar Salim, had signed a major deal with none other than Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) A world renowned company recognised for a number of high quality brands including, EA Sports, FIFA, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims and Need For Speed.
The EA Original Label will provide the fledgling company with funding, guidance and support and help them bring a brand new, fresh and thought-provoking game to the world.
Find out more https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210311005106/en/Silver-Rain-Games-Inks-Major-Deal-With-Electronic-Arts
Who is Shang – Chi?
Having existed in the Marvel Comic world since the 1970s, Shang Chi is the son of a renowned criminal who was raised as heir to a secret society called The Ten Rings. After years of intensive training in martial arts, Shang Chi later escapes to live a normal life. But Shang-Chi is soon called back into the dark world of the Ten Rings and asked to fulfil a destiny he no longer desires too.
After being in development for almost, Shang-Chi is now moving from a comic book hero to fully fledged silver screen superhero.
Shang-Chi on the Silver Screen
The brand new live action adaptation of Shang-Chi and he Legend of the Ten Rings will be part of the MCU’s Phase 4. The story will follow loosely after the comic book with some marked changes, particularly in the role of the Mandarin, a character that has featured in the MCU since the very first Iron Man movie. This particular Mandarin will play the protagonist’s father rather than the original Fu Manchu.
The upcoming film will also feature the MCU’s very first Asian cast starring Tony Leugn, Awkwafina, Jiang Nan and Michelle Yeoh in lead roles. Who knows, maybe Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings will do for the Asian Community what Black Panther did for the Black community, give them a hero to look up to.
Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings is schedule for release in theatre on September 3, 2021.
Check out more https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/04/26/marvel-introduces-its-first-chinese-superhero-with-shang-chi/