MALIKA Warrior Queen Volume 1

Growing up as a prodigy, Malika inherits the crown from her father in an incredibly unusual way, splitting the kingdom of Azzaz in half. After years of civil war, Malika finally unites all of Azzaz, expanding it into one of the largest empires in all of West Africa -- but expansion will not come without its costs. Enemies begin to rise within her council, and Azzaz catches the attention of one of the most feared superpowers the world has ever known: the Ming Dynasty! As Malika fights to win the clandestine war within the walls of her empire, she must also turn her attention to an indomitable and treacherous foe with plans to vanquish her entire people. Malika: Warrior Queen Volume 1 also features bonus stories “Malika: Dragon Trials” and “WindMaker: Birth of a King” — and a new “behind the scenes” section! Part of the YouNeek YouNiverse!  Extraordinary fantasy and superhero stories inspired by African history, culture, and mythology — created by the best Nigerian comics talent. Follow the exploits of queen and military commander Malika. "Our mission is and always has been about empowering African creatives and storytelling while bringing both to a global audience." — Roye Okupe, Founder/Creative Director at YouNeek Studios "The artwork in Malika is absolutely stunning. The colors of the clothes, scenery, and artillery are gorgeous and complimentary to the character's skin tones. She changes outfits and headwraps frequently; it's very refreshing and bold." -Black Girl Nerds "None of the independent books really caught my eye until I noticed Malika...we need to bring attention to those, like Okupe, who are doing it right...[showing] how massive and incredible and diverse the world is." -Book Riot "Befitting the story of a fierce, confident queen who rules from the front lines as much as from her throne, Kalu's cinematic artwork is dominated by battle scenes but also highlights the empire's landscape of sand, rocks, and forests, as well as the cultural diversity of its people...interspersed notes touch on the real-life inspirations behind Azzaz." -Publishers Weekly