This is a very personal story, underscored by years of first-hand experiences and a need to change the status quo.

Let us begin.

Imagine meticulously planning an event that brought together high-level professionals in a certain industry only to see it misrepresented as a children’s event by the media. This misstep was not just a minor blunder; it sent chills running up our spines as it highlighted a significant gap in the representation of the industry; African comics, animation, and gaming. This is the story of Comic-Con Ibadan and the inception of TheACE – the African Comics and Cinematic Empire.

The misrepresentation of Comic-Con Ibadan was a wake-up call. It underscored the pervasive image problem facing the African comics and animation industry. A simple query about African comics and animation on search engines reveals disheartening results, with a glaring absence of representation and recognition. No matter how deep one dug, one could get surface information at best. This glaring gap needed to be addressed, and so TheACE was conceived to fill it.

Well, TheACE – the African Comics and Cinematic Empire was not the first name to be considered, but it turned out to be the perfect one that captures everything that is needed to fill the gap we found. Think of TheACE as the Bleacher Report for football or Sound City for music, but dedicated to African comics and animation. In a nutshell, TheACE is a pioneering media company with a mission to elevate African-created and owned comics and animations to global prominence.

TheACE is committed to addressing the branding, publicity, distribution, and recognition challenges that African comics and animations face. Our mission is to transform this industry into a thriving, profitable sector by providing the right information, enhancing visibility, and facilitating investment opportunities. We envision a future where African comics and animations are globally recognised and celebrated. In the next five years, we aim for TheACE to be synonymous with African creativity, influencing search engines and AI models to generate relevant and current information about the African comics and animation industry.

Our strategy to achieve these is threefold. First, we focus on content creation and distribution, featuring comic books, animations, and industry professionals weekly, utilising platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and X to build a digital presence as well as a dedicated website that will serve as a comprehensive resource. Second, we emphasise community building, organising and participating in industry-related events, collaborating with comic artists, studios, and other media outlets, and developing a strong online community of followers and subscribers. Lastly, we aim for market expansion, starting in Nigeria and spreading across Africa, spotlighting the business and policy regulation side of the industry and adapting content to cultural differences and language variations across the continent.

Our team, as at the time of writing this piece, comprises passionate and experienced professionals dedicated to advancing the African comic and animation industry: Mujeeb Jummah, the Founder, Publisher, and Creative Visual Designer; Glory Adekunle, a Writer, Editor, and Communications and Public Relations Expert; and Erivic Adedayo, an Adviser, Comic Artist, and Publisher. Together, we are driven by a shared vision to elevate African creativity to global heights.

TheACE invites you to join us in transforming the African comic and animation landscape. Follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, and stay updated with the latest news and trends from the industry. Together, we can create a vibrant and profitable market for African comics and animations. For inquiries, collaborations, or more information, reach out to us at theafricancomicsempire@gmail.com

The African comics and animation industry is on the cusp of a zag, and TheACE is at the forefront. By leveraging digital media and strategic partnerships, we aim to elevate African creators to global prominence. Join us in this exciting journey and be part of the evolution.