₦airaland Forum

Laguardia
Eisner and Hugo Award Winner!
Written by Nnedi Okorafor, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author and Marvel's Shuri writer, this deluxe trade paperback collects issues #1-#4 of the mini-series and includes artist sketches and an afterword from the author.
In an alternate world where aliens have integrated with society, pregnant Nigerian-American doctor Future Nwafor Chukwuebuka has just smuggled an illegal alien plant named Letme Live through LaGuardia International and Interstellar Airport… and that's not the only thing she's hiding.
She and Letme become part of a community of human and alien immigrants, but as their crusade for equality continues and the birth of her child nears Future—and her entire world—begins to change.

Blessing in Disguise
Marvel, the U.S. comic book publisher, has launched its first superhero comic set in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial and entertainment capital. The comic was inspired by the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014.
The comic titled 'Blessing in Disguise' features Ngozi, a superheroine fighting evil in Lagos. This is the first story to be set in an African country by Marvel. Ngozi is a character based on one of the Chibok girls and is expected to serve as a role model for girls, said the science fiction writer.
Award-winning Nigerian-American writer Nnedi Okorafor creates blessing in Disguise. The published story is part of Marvel's Venomverse comic, with Ngozi appearing alongside Black Panther and Spider-Man villain Venom.
"They were normal girls who suddenly had to deal with a huge change in their lives … and their story of perseverance is so powerful. Like many Nigerian girls, Ngozi comes in a small package but is strong-willed and determined." – review from a reader.

IRETI BIDEMI #3
Why have one life when you're the daughter of a god? Watch and live in the shoes of our favorite Mythological tomboy/college student/Parkour enthusiast in the Adventures of the reincarnation of Ireti Moremi.
Ireti: Bidemi #3 created by Michael Balogun and Adeleye Yussuf) is a graphic novel that tells the story of Bidemi Ogunde, an archeology student by day, and Ibadan's crime-fighting superhero by night. She seems to possess similar powers to the legendary Ireti Moremi, a warrior of the Ife Kingdom in Yorubaland.
Unapologetically badass, Ireti Bidemi is the Ibadan superhero we've all been waiting for. Published by Jide Martin's Comic Republic, Ireti Bidemi tells a story about the eponymous life of a female University of Ibadan student who possesses superpowers and might be the reincarnation of the great Ireti Moremi of Ife Kingdom.
Guardian Prime: Genesis #3
Written by Wale Awelenje and Jeffrey Oyem) Guardian Prime is the publisher's answer to Superman, being both the first and greatest heroes in the comic universe. The hero, Tunde Jaiye, is described as the embodiment of the fifth element (water, fire, earth, air, and the perfect man "as God intended him to be" born to the human race every 2000.
Another thing Guardian Prime has in common with Superman, at least the New 52 version, is the fact that he has one comic primarily centered in the present day (Might) and another dealing with his past origins as a superhero (Genesis, through parallel storytelling between the present day and two years ago).
This is something I would recommend for fans of Superman or Wonder Woman.

Juju man
This graphic novel is written by Chima & Kelly Kaly, Lagos Comic-Con winners in Best Writer & Illustrator category.
An ominous occurrence visits a native Igbo girl, Oriemma leading to a tragic revelation: a relic of high spiritual importance has been stolen. It's on the list because it integrates African tradition into the modern world. Find out more in this sizzling preview chapter.

The Prophecy – The Foreseen Adversary
It is written by Epoch Comics, Lagos comic con award-winning graphic novel in the Comic Book of the Year category.
This battle has flared since the dawn of time, but now in this period of seeming peace, it's about to be waged again. Two forces will conflict, two allegiances will battle from the womb of humanity. A son will be born, yet another will be given, and one will seek out the other to tip this balance eternally. In this final frontier, in whose favour shall it tip?

AVONOME: The realm within #8
Meet Nigeria's sleeping beauty. With more voices in her head than we can count and flashback inputs almost as long as her name. Expect actual plot development as she finally awakens from her 7-issue slumber. Maybe we can stop seeing her in smoke-screens now?

The Vanguards
Created and published by the Comic Republic, a Nigerian comic book publishing founded in 2013 by Jide Martins, The Vanguards is the African version of The Avengers. It features a team of superheroes working out of Africa, doing good and keeping us all safe.
E.X.O. – The Legend of Wale Williams Part One
Set in the future, The Legend of Wale Williams is published by Roye Okupe's YouNeek Studios. It could easily be called the Nigerian hybrid of the ultra-rich Marvel superhero, Iron Man, and D.C. superhero Batman.
This graphic novel, set in Lagoon City, Nigeria, "follows the journey of Wale Williams, an impetuous young man who inherits a suit with superpowers after his father goes missing."

Galactic Core #1
Written by Emmanuel Ozor. This sci-fi/space opera takes place in the aftermath of a Great Galactic War where thousands of human and alien civilizations were left in a state of chaos. This debut issue depicts such chaos as a Natalie alien princess lands on the planet I've 4 while on the run from Commander Tariks and his Watu-Mutilon Raptors. Tariks attacks the planet to catch his prey, only foiled by a superteam known as the Galactic Corps. While this issue was mostly action-packed, it does an excellent job of introducing readers to the Galactic Corps team and their powers, the planet Q'bi 4, and the city of Ch'yuli. While the characters are not necessarily Nigerian, I would recommend this to anyone who likes space opera, science fiction, or afro-futurist works.

Eru #6
Written by Max Ezeogu and Ozo Ezeogu
This horrific graphic novel tells the tale of Eric Kukoyi, the vessel of the entity of fear, a centuries-old entity with a thousand names and forms, now known as Eru. This issue drew parallels between Eric and Count Dracula himself. Ezeogu's art and coloring contribute to the horror atmosphere. While reading this, I got the impression that people who like Neil Gaiman's Sandman, urban fantasy, or horror comics would like this too.


https://wiki.writertainpublishers.com/2021/04/02/top-10-nigerian-comics/

Top 10 Nigerian Historical Fiction
Good books can outlive a writer, which is true for Nigerian authors' amazing books, from Chinua Achebe to Chimamanda Adichie to Prof. Sole Soyinka. Some of these books were published a few years ago but are still making waves. The top ten historical fiction are:
1. Half of a Yellow Sun is a historical fiction novel written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This book has won the Women's Prize for Fiction, Anisfield-wolf Book Award for Fiction, and PEN/Open Book Award. Set during Biafran War.
2. Death of the King's Horseman (1975) by Wole Soyinka is historical fiction. This book has won so many awards, including the Nobel prize laureate. It is set during the rule of Sani Abacha
3. The Fisherman (2015) by Chigozie Obioma. The book won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work. It was shortlisted for the 2015 Man Booker Prize.
4. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1958) is set to depict pre-colonial life. This book won the Margaret Wong Memorial Prize.
5. Sozaboy by Ken Saro Wima was published in 1985. It is a fiction that delves into the civil war of Nigeria. This book won the Folon-Nichols Award.
6. The Famished Road by Ben Okri (1991) is the story of an abiku. This book was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. It investigates sociopolitical and historical realities.
7. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a captivating book. It has bagged several awards, including the 2013 National Book Critics Circle Fiction award and the New York Book Contest award in 2017. It spans military regime of Ibrahim Babangiga, Genera Abacha and General Abubakar.
8. The Sleepless by Nuzo Onoh is a combination of both horror and historical fiction. The book has been listed in the reference book 80 Black Women in Horror, and her work has been included in the Black Magic Women Anthology.
9. Welcome to Lagos was published in 2017 by Chibundu Onuzo. This book teaches about integrity and honour to uphold the truth in all circumstances. It has also won many awards.
10. Open City by Teju Cole is a book set in New York by a Nigerian immigrant named Julius. This book won the PEN/Hemingway Awards.

https://wiki.writertainpublishers.com/2021/03/24/top-10-historical-fiction/

AiteeAitee:
Divepen1
Superb �

Thanks....

Chapter 6
‘And I’m famished'. Simi dashed out of the chair as she dusted the dirt off her body again.
‘What did you see? Dezzy asked. Her frown popped out of every vein in her face.
‘Snacks!’ Simi rushed towards the snacks and grabbed the nearest, a wrap of Kuli-kuli, bought to supplement their garri, but she didn’t mind. Munching it, she turned and saw the look of disgust on Dezzy’s face. ‘What? You don’t understand how hungry I am…’
‘You just…’ Dezzy turned to Kukoyi for support, but he only shrugged, making Dezzy open her mouth in disgust. ‘She literarily just ate something a while back…’
Simi munched ravenously. ‘I don’t know. I think the longer I stay there, the hungrier I become…’
They looked at Simi, who shook her head while looking upward. All these she was forcing herself into shouldn’t have even been there in the first place. If she hadn’t followed Max to that museum, she would be free.
‘See how huge she has become since she got here. Dezzy smacked her own head and looked about, breathing heavily. ‘I just got to restock her the food and bought those stupid shorts for her’.
‘Please, those shorts are the best. And… Ah! I was never thin. Not everyone will like to be as tiny as you…’ Simi sat back in the chair, feeling energized to narrate her ordeal finally.
‘Baby girl, it’s all about exercise…’ Dezzy shouted, jumped, and spread her legs sideways to touch her spread hands. ‘See...I can do this…’
‘And who is to say I can’t’, Simi bellowed. Her desire to eat increased. Rolling her eyes, she returned to the snacks corner and got more wraps of sausages, sifting through them until she got a better brand than the last one she ate.
‘Yeah! Eat it. Family of rhinoceros’, Dezzy leaned against the wall.
‘Enough’, Kukoyi yelled. His eyes dashed from one person to the other. Dezzy’s eyes were now turning red even as she clenched her hands. Despite the little anger creeping into her mind towards Dezzy, Simi couldn’t overcome her admiration for the afro on Dezzy’s head.
Kukoyi, however, got into her view as he crouched opposite her. She could smell his the grass-like scent from his body spray. ‘Now, tell us what happened?’
Simi explained, taking her time to describe the things she saw.
‘See her!’ Dezzy lamented and partially covered her face. ‘We’ve just wasted a good time here… Thanks for nothing’.
‘Chillax, Simi’, Kukoyi called and beckoned for her to come nearer. Simi sighed and hobbled towards them. Dezzy’s disregard for her wasn’t even right, but what could she say? ‘You have to express something for us…’ Kukoyi paused. ‘The mission is not to admire Oranmiyan. God knows I want to see them too...’
‘Get to the point!’ Dezzy urged him.
‘The point is that…’ Kukoyi brought his Ipad and began to type out. ‘We need you to find a clue or something that will help us find this prophecy. So, we will be done and sell them away’.
Simi’s eyes were focused on Kukoyi’s hand as he rubbed his nose and typed with the other one. ‘I just want to be done and gone. I hope this never happened.
‘Too late!’ Dezzy said.
Kukoyi banged the wall. ‘Hey! Hey! Dezzy, you guys don’t’ need to be split hairs before you make the right suggestion. As I am pencilling the details in, we will make it work’.
‘Fishing expenditure’, Dezzy lamented. She rubbed her hair and sat up. ‘This is a fishing expenditure. We should have allowed Lambe lead the way’.
‘Lambe was leading us in the wrongest of all directions’. Kukoyi typed as he leaned against the wall.
Dezzy sighed and slumped back into her net. ‘They’re all the same: useless! I should have killed him.
Simi’s body felt like it was being sparked by electricity and that she was being shocked from her hair to the sole of her foot. She wasn’t sure she wanted them to know that she was feeling that way. So, she munched the last bit of the sausage and moved towards them. ‘I’m tired and need to sleep’.
‘You…’ Dezzy was going to say to her but turned towards Kukoyi. ‘She did nothing. Like nothing than disappear, eat, and now she wants to sleep’.
Simi didn’t heed her but instead laid in the net and began to countdown from 100. It was like several hours later before a bird roused her. Turning away from the ray of sun that still found its way into the house, despite someone’s effort to cover the window with clothes.
‘Yeah! That’s crested guineafowl’, Kukoyi said as she groaned.
Simi yawned and stretched as she looked about for Dezzy, who was fiddling with her knives. ‘I’m going back in.
‘You’re stating the obvious. I’m mapping out a plan’ Kukoyi turned towards them. He rubbed his bald. His head shone despite the tiny light coming to their hideout. ‘Someone’s has got to go with you through this storm’.
‘Good idea’, Dezzy cracked her fingers.
‘Are you sure?’ Simi’s heart raced. ‘I’m not yet good with this travelling thing’.
‘There’s nothing to worry about!’ Dezzy got up and moved towards her clothes. ‘All you need is food, and we can afford that.
Simi made a ‘tsk’ noise and rolled her eyes.
‘Oh! C’mon! Don’t go down that lane again. Kukoyi scrolled through his phone, glancing up and down at various times. ‘We need a leg to stand on as we get these things that have been promised us’.
‘Are you even sure we’re doing the right thing?’ Simi slumped into a seat.
‘What do you mean?’ Kukoyi wondered.
‘I mean… We’re only doing this because you heard about the rumour’. Simi drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
Kukoyi stopped typing as he looked up. ‘We’re not acting on a whim. The information is out. We just need the unadulterated version of the prophecy. That’s the only way we can easily get the result we want. This thing has its life on its own.
Simi couldn’t easily think of Kukoyi’s words. Sometimes, she wanted to ask him for the meaning of what he was saying, but she always understood them through the context of his conversation. Moreover, he always had another set of words before she could ask him for the meaning of the first.
‘All in all, if we need to burn the midnight oil to get the answer we seek, I’m all in’, Kukoyi stated. He moved towards Simi’s net and sat on the ground near. Then, he placed a hand on her back. Seeing him there felt like she was sitting beside Ekele, whom she wished she met eventually. ‘Simi, give this your best. I know these are baby steps, but we can do it. We’re getting there!’
‘I’ll try.
By now, Dezzy had dressed herself in tight shiny leather trousers and boots. Her tight jacket cleaved to her body as if they were a little extension of her skin. The few seconds Simi watched her, she couldn’t be amazed by the speed with which she placed different sizes of knives at different places. Even at that, she still had some of the knives glaring on her bed.
‘Where did you get this?’ Simi moved near her and caressed the remaining weapons on the table. Some others were peeping from a black bag.
‘I think you’ll keep this in mind whenever you see her elsewhere! Kukoyi pulled out a large sheet of paper from his little bag and began to point different things on it. Simi left Dezzy’s side and moved to watch what Kukoyi was doing. ‘Dezzy used to be a dominatrix’.
‘Domi…?’ Simi turned from one person to another.
‘Dominatrix’, Kukoyi said. ‘She likes to flog or punish men to feel excited…’
‘Is she insane or….?’ Simi covered her mouth. ’Sorry… I mean, why will you do that?’
Dezzy’s eyes were now fixed on Simi, despite her hands hurrying through some straps in her body. A black baton laid on the side of the bed.
‘Hey, Dezzy’. Kukoyi looked up from the map he was drawing. ‘No hard feelings… I guess?’ He turned to Simi, who nodded like a baby. She didn’t know how that word had come out of her mouth.
Simi sighed. ‘I’m not even concerned. I just want to be done and free’.
‘That we can make happen…’ Kukoyi said.
Dezzy walked over to Simi. Her presence sent fear down the chubby girl’s mind. They were in all ways different from each other. Dezzy’s slim body and a touch of curves were made pronounced by her leather war cloth. Simi, on the other hand, looked like watermelon in a bag. She couldn’t even understand when she got that fat.
Now, she was staring into the flat tummy of a warrior-like lady and wished they could trade place.
‘Are you ready?’ Dezzy asked.
‘No’, Simi said and stretched. ‘I need to change this filthy dress to something presentable’.
‘Rhino, it’s not a fashion contest, and no one is looking at your fashion’, Dezzy shouted, but Simi didn’t heed her. Instead, she grabbed the bag they bought for her and pulled out a red top, jeans shorts, her black sneakers, and sunshades. When she was done, Kukoyi shook his head.
‘Are we ready now?’ Dezzy asked as she stopped pacing the room.
Simi exhaled sharply and nodded. ‘By the way, you just had to buy shorts that and dropping. I would have wanted something shorter.
‘Your goodies? Dezzy said. ‘You would be carrying this with you regularly now’.
‘Where will I put the clothes?’ Simi wondered.
‘Remove those rags you made me buy and put enough goodies’, Dezzy said.
‘I’m fine… Let’s go. I feel great’, Simi replied as she stared at herself again.
‘Errr… No’, Dezzy said. ‘Get the thing before I descend on you.
‘Mummy, calm down!’ Simi carried her bag and dropped all the content on the bed. That’s when she saw her blackhead warmer. ‘Cool’.
‘God!’ Kukoyi exclaimed.
Simi hurried back to the snacks and put enough in her bag.
‘Good! Now, let’s go…’
‘I’ll be waiting for you two’, Kukoyi said. ‘And mapping how we will do all these things. I don’t know, but I think we might have to move frequently and when that happens we must be ready.
‘Off we go!’ Simi said and held Dezzy. ‘I don’t know if this will work’.
She wasn’t even sure it would work. All that was on her mind was that she shouldn’t take them to the wrong place. It would be a waste of time, and she wanted to be done with this thing. The money and tiredness were enough for her. Moreover, she wasn’t even sure Dezzy would follow her if she disappeared. But one truth remained, as long she came with the warrior, she was assured of her own safety.
‘Is this part of what you saw the last time?’ Dezzy asked.
Simi opened her eyes as cold air danced through rustling leaves. They were surrounded by forest and were on a mountain.

AryEmber:
search for 'we are able'. Cant remember the author tho

By Sammyhoe, who has returned as a different person and has taken the story off Nairaland.

LarrySun:
THE JOURNEY TO A THOUSAND FLASH
Flash 27: The Full Moon
For Akintayo Akinjide (Divepen)

Thanks a lot. I feel really really honoured.