Diaspora Star | Roye Okupe: The Nigerian Storyteller Redefining Superheroes Through African Eyes

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Roye Okupe always had a deep-rooted passion for comic books and animation. But growing up, he noticed a glaring absence none of the superheroes he admired looked like him or came from places he could relate to. That realization planted the seed for a lifelong mission: to create African superheroes for a global audience. Today, Okupe stands at the forefront of an emerging movement, telling stories that are authentically African, unapologetically bold, and universally resonant.

After completing his secondary education in Nigeria, Okupe moved to the United States, where he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at George Washington University. He later earned a Master’s degree from the same institution.

Though trained as a tech professional, he was never able to shake his love for animation and storytelling. In 2015, Okupe took a leap of faith and founded YouNeek Studios, a multimedia company focused on developing original African-inspired superhero and fantasy content across graphic novels, animation, and film.

That same year, he launched his debut graphic novel, E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams Part One, a futuristic superhero story set in a tech-advanced Lagos. The novel was met with critical acclaim and immediately established Okupe as a visionary in the comic book industry. Major outlets such as CNN, BBC, Forbes, NBC, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and The Guardian featured his work—an unprecedented feat for a Nigerian-born comic creator breaking into the mainstream Western-dominated space.

Following E.X.O., Okupe released Malika: Warrior Queen, a historical fantasy about a fierce 15th-century West African queen navigating war, betrayal, and leadership. The graphic novel won Story of the Year at the 2020 Glyph Comic Awards, solidifying his reputation as a serious creative force. That same year, he signed a historic 10-book publishing deal with Dark Horse Comics, one of the world’s top comic book publishers. It was a monumental step not just for Okupe, but for African comics as a whole.

Beyond print, Okupe expanded his creative vision into animation. Under the YouNeek Studios banner, he wrote, directed, and produced the award-winning short film adaptation of Malika: Warrior Queen. The film earned accolades across film festivals and caught the attention of global animation stakeholders. His stories blend advanced visual storytelling with African mythology, drawing inspiration from Yoruba folklore, Nigerian culture, and Pan-African themes.

In 2021, Okupe’s dedication to inclusive storytelling earned him a nomination for the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics a distinction awarded to those who demonstrate both narrative excellence and a commitment to broadening representation in the comics industry. He had earlier been named one of Ventures Africa’s 40 African Innovators to Watch in 2016 and was included in New African Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential Africans for both 2016 and 2017.

But perhaps his most groundbreaking achievement is still in progress. His graphic novel Iyanu: Child of Wonder, a fantasy series inspired by Yoruba mythology, is being adapted into a full-length animated series in collaboration with Cartoon Network and Max (formerly HBO Max). This development is not only a win for Okupe—it’s a win for the African diaspora, for global audiences, and for young Black children everywhere who will finally see themselves reflected in animated heroism.

Roye Okupe’s work goes beyond entertainment. It’s cultural reclamation. It’s narrative justice. By creating characters that reflect the strength, struggles, and spirit of African people, he is dismantling stereotypes and offering the world a different perspective one where African stories are not just valuable, but vital.

From the streets of Lagos to the studios of Los Angeles, Roye Okupe has proven that with vision, courage, and cultural authenticity, a new universe of heroes can rise this time, wearing African armor.