Afriwood Comics is a Nigerian-based comic book publishing company and a subsidiary of Afriwood Motion Pictures, an African film production company founded in 2015. The company is known for its focus on African superhero stories, most notably the creation of Shutter-Bird, Nigeria’s first live-action superhero. Their flagship publications include Urenna Amadi: The Extraordinary Shutter Bird and Urenna Amadi: The Incredible Shutter Bird.
History
Afriwood Comics was founded in 2020 by Nigerian filmmaker Urenna Amadi with the aim of promoting African heroes and storytelling through comic books. The company officially launched its first superhero character, Shutter-Bird, on November 27, 2020, in Owerri, Imo State.
In November 2022, Afriwood Comics published the first chapter of Urenna Amadi: The Extraordinary Shutter Bird, making it Nigeria’s first live-action superhero comic series. The comic follows the story of Urenna Amadi, a young hero who uses her superhuman abilities to protect and uplift her community.
In 2024, the company expanded its superhero universe with the release of five chapters of Urenna Amadi: The Incredible Shutter Bird, marking the first Nigerian superhero graphic novel.
Publications
Comic Book Series
| Series | Year | Main Character | Editor | Chapters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urenna Amadi: The Extraordinary Shutter Bird | 2022 | Shutter-Bird | Urenna Amadi | 1 |
| Urenna Amadi: The Incredible Shutter Bird | 2024 | Shutter-Bird | Urenna Amadi | 5 |
Mission and Impact
Afriwood Comics aims to bring African superheroes and cultural narratives to a global audience. The company emphasizes African strength, courage, and resilience, seeking to reshape the superhero genre by centering African characters and storytelling traditions.