SOKOYA COMICS

The Best In Afrakan Science Fiction
Creating comic-book stories that Creatively blend Science Fiction and African Reality.

Sokoya Comics satisfies the culturally sensitive buyer’s desire for fantasy entertainment along with their craving for Cultural entertainment by merging the two sensitivities into one product. Sokoya Comics sets itself apart from other comic-book publishers by offering science fiction stories that involve identifiable and realistic African themes and traditions. Sokoya Comics’s stories and characters are inspired from African History, Philosophy, Dance, Music, Art, Religion and Science. Sokoya Comics uses these strong cultural foundations to propel the audience into the unique world where African Fact meets Science Fiction.

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Akinseye Brown

Pronouced (ah-keen-shae-yae) Akinsheye Brown has been an illustrator for more than ten years. His works include Vejo Capoeria- a coloring book based on educating young people about the history of Capoeria Angola,an African-Brasilian Martial Artform, Medicalship Abiola- an adventure comic strip that features African Doctors in outerspace, The Warrior and Seekers of Justice – a comic book that tells the story of a discipline driven high school science teacher and his 5 super-powered students. As an artist and graphic designer Akinsheye has worked on multiple freelance jobs and participated in a number of gallery exhibitions .

Interview by Maurice Waters of BlackScifi.com

MW: Where were you born?
AB: Philadelphia, PA: Raised in Germantown and Mt. Airy

MW: What were your inspirations behind designing your publications?
AB: Sannkofamaan- is based off of the realization that Afrakan people are going to continually suffer socially, culturally and politically if we don’t do something about it right now by taking charge of our reality and future. Dr. Daren (Sannkofamaan) is me in some ways trying to do too much all at once. The name Dr. Derek (Damon) Daren comes from some of my closest friends-Derek, Damon and Daren. HTD Afrakan Superheroes- I always wanted to help young artist realize their potential and at the same time rear our young artist to be positive and respectful of the Afrakan image. Too many people insult us.

MW: How did you get started as an artist?
AB: I have the pleasure of being raised by two artists; my father is a painter and my mother a clothing designer. Then I attended the High School for Creative and performing Arts and for college went on to Cooper Union School for Science and Art.

MW: What made you choose comic books as your medium?
AB: Actually I paint as well, so for me comics are one of my mediums. But what I love about
comics is the aspect of being able to build your own world. I love how easy it is to get lost in it.
That’s why it pains me to see how even in the futuristic fantasy worlds of major comics, African
people still aren’t worthy of respect. So what they are saying is that “In reality”, African people
are doomed to living unfulfilled lives with numerous injustices committed against them and “In the Future” African people are doomed to living unfulfilled lives with numerous injustices
committed against them? C’mon, who would want to get lost reading that?

MW: Who are some of your favorite comic characters?
AB: Dawud Anyabwile’s Brotherman, Alex Simmon’s Blackjack, Todd Johnson’s and Larry
Stroman’s Tribe

MW: Did any life experiences affect how and what you draw?
AB: I’ve always been surround by respectful Afrakan people that have made the affirmation of their African identity prominent in their life. I feel a lot of what I draw has to do with Afrakan identity. When I was introduced to Manga art I knew I had to get to work. Not so much because the work looks good (which a lot of it does) but because not once do you forget that Japanese people and culture are alive. Some of us want to be Japanese now because of their books. That’s a lot. How powerful is this stuff that we are dealing with then. If properly used what can that
power do for my people?

MW: After people read your comics what do you want them to learn or experience?
AB: I would like people to gain a strong desire to be (or remain) Afrakan, either culturally, philosophically or spiritually - then be responsible for their world.