Like Conan, Thor, and even, Kratos from God of War – Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods is an epic tale about violence and immortality. A Nigerian take on what happens to a man who had everything stripped away from him by the gods, the series is a spin on the dark fantasy genre created by writer Murewa Ayodele and features art by the talented Dotun Akande.
“Every generation or so, a new opportunity presents itself to shatter, and then slowly rebuild, the foundations of the mythic genre tropes that we hold dear and, in so doing, make them stronger than ever before. What Murewa and Dotun are creating with AKOGUN is one of those rare, special moments,” said Hunter Gorinson, President and publisher of Oni Press. “For the first time, two Nigerian creators are recasting the distinctly Westernized mode of no-holds-barred barbarian-driven sword and sorcery storytelling through a distinctly African lens – capturing an entirely new pantheon of gods and monsters in the process.”
“According to Yoruba mythology, we were all made by a drunk god, and during one of his drunken stupor, he made horrific monsters also. The first of the gods to visit this new, twisted world was the erratic god of war,” said writer Ayodele. “When we discovered this little bit of our culture’s mythology, we knew we wanted to tell a gritty fantastical story set in this primordial African world — a world of barbarous violence, monstrous creatures, and gods who give in to primal, destructive urges.”
“I can’t wait for fans of the medium to have this book in their hands. It’s dark fantasy from dark fantasy lovers. It is African folklore like never seen or heard before. Murewa, a true cartographer, has mapped out an exciting journey full of twists and character. It’s been a joy co-directing and giving life to it. So, grab your pitchforks and torches. You’ll need it for this monster of a tale,” added Akande.
The series is releasing in three oversized issues available this April 3rd on a bi-monthly release schedule.
Oni Press has also made the interior art of the first issue available to peruse below along with some cover art by Dotun Akande (I Am Iron Man), Ramon Villalobos (Nighthawk, America), Grey Williamson (X-O Manowar), and Eisner Award winner David Mack (Daredevil).
Cover A by DOTUN AKANDE
Cover B by RAMON VILLALOBOS
Cover C by GREY WILLIAMSON
AKOGUN BRUTALIZER OF GODS #1 (of 3)
Written by MUREWA AYODELE
Art by DOTUN AKANDE
Full Art Variant (1:20) by RAMON VILLALOBOS
Variant Cover (1:30) by DAVID MACK
IOD: 2/29/24
FOC: 3/11/24
ON SALE APRIL 3, 2024 | $5.99 | 40pgs | FC | MATURE READERS
