Indie Comics in the Spotlight: New Africa Comics – founded in Cambridge by scientist Osarenkhoe Ogbeide

By John Freeman on April 26, 2023

New Africa Comics is a relatively new independent comics publisher, founded by self-confessed comic addict Osarenkhoe Ogbeide, by day a PhD student at the Cambridge Graphene Centre, who’s working on developing the next generation of gas sensors using 2D materials, such as graphene.

Creating comics based on African mythology, culture and people, their first comic, Shango, written by Marcus Giwa, drawn by Sanni M Jonathan, was released in 2021 in collection, with more projects in the works, including a YouTube radio channel.

Shango #1 Cover, written by Marcus Giwa, drawn by Sanni M Jonathan (New Africa Comics) — *The first three issues of New Africa Comics flagship title, Shango*

Shango #2 Cover, written by Marcus Giwa, drawn by Sanni M Jonathan (New Africa Comics) — *The first three issues of New Africa Comics flagship title, Shango*

Shango was long ago elevated to the Orishas after a glorious career as 4th King and warrior hero of the Yoruba. Now he bangs the drum for his people.

You can read a black and white version the first chapter of this new exciting story exploring African mythology for free via the New Africa Comics website. A colour version is available through AmazonUK.

Issues Two and Three are available digitally from the New Africa Comics web site.

“It’s been fascinating looking into mythology from both my own ancestry and other ancestries,” said Osarenkhoe Ogbeide in a 2020 interview for Cambridge Life with Charisma Goodyear. “There is such a rich culture and a wealth of stories that have never been told in this way before.

Osarenkhoe Ogbeide, founder of New Africa Comics, in 2020. Image via Churchill College

“The comics also serve a deeper purpose,” the scientist, who eventually hopes to open his own world-leading lab in Nigeria or another African nation, continues.

“My aim is for them to be a vehicle for tackling tough social-political issues that affect our community, from government corruption on the African continent to colourism – all while entertaining the reader with amazing art and commentary of course!”

• New Africa Comics is online at newafricacomics.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

• This Cambridge Life: The scientist who launched a comic and flew the flag for Black History Month

Osarenkhoe Ogbeide sees beyond the superhero to the scientist. When he’s not developing printable gas sensors, he’s passionate about celebrating the contributions of black scientists throughout history…

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.