[Photo/csmonitor]
Comic art has come of age in +254. The graphic novels scene has attracted the best of Kenyan brains and enthusiasts, making it a great influence on pop culture.
Comic art has always existed on the off-zone, but that is changing as they come out to tell Kenyan stories with wit and humor through art, online and independently.
Through Ink and Pixels, artists have rendered their tales via themes that talk about real life happenings, fictional stories, editorials, gags, science fiction, and superheroes embracing African warriors, action, fantasy, and education.
It is an exciting time in the history of this kind of art. The Kenyan comic scene has ripened and formed part of the popular culture.
Nairobi Comic Conference showed the massive acceptance and approval of local comics by their amazing enthusiasts. Kenyan and African comics, in general, have worked hard to distance themselves and our culture from the syndicated content that was pushed down the continent’s throat during colonialism by Western media.
Local artists scrambled for the opportunity to publish comic strips chronicling Kenyan stories in newspapers after independence. Although the comics scene is in full bloom, it is sadly still greatly dominated by men.
It is incredible to see artists create their own identity in the industry. Yes, the industry has matured and influenced pop culture, but more support is needed to make it a world-class renowned epic comic zone.