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Kwezi
Kwezi: Issues 1-3 Collector's edition
Kwezi is the world’s most powerful superhero, but does he have the will to discover his greatness?
Kwezi is a young city dweller who discovers he has super human abilities. His journey starts off as a self-serving narcissist who only uses his abilities to further his social status. This is until he is tracked down by three individuals who exhibit similar evolutionary talents. It is not long until Kwezi is confronted with the truth about his powers and is faced with an important decision: to carry out his life serving no particular purpose, or joining his new companions on a journey to discover who he really is and what he is destined to be.
Kwezi is a young city dweller who discovers he has super human abilities. His journey starts off as a self-serving narcissist who only uses his abilities to further his social status. This is until he is tracked down by three individuals who exhibit similar evolutionary talents. It is not long until Kwezi is confronted with the truth about his powers and is faced with an important decision: to carry out his life serving no particular purpose, or joining his new companions on a journey to discover who he really is and what he is destined to be.
43 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2016
13 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 5, 2019
I was not impressed with the Sesotho translation and some of the grammar mistakes in the dialogue but the graphics are amazing and the storyline, enchanting
December 28, 2023
Reading this in my mother tongue was just so special. 💛
June 26, 2016
An incredible South African superhero comic with relateable and representative characters. This is the book I want to give all of the kids in South Africa. (And beyond.) I love it. Can't wait for more.
May 13, 2019
I thought the art in this book was really fantastic, and I love its general concept! It’s cool to see a proudly South African comic like this, set in what seems to be pseudo-Johannesburg! The book felt really fun and joyful, and it had a cheesy vibe I absolutely love about it - in a world with a lot of media that’s grim for the sake of being grim, it’s refreshing to see something so unabashedly fun and cheesy, fully leaning into the classic superhero genre.
Unfortunately, I felt the plot was a little generic in the sense that it’s a very typical Chosen One narrative, and I didn’t really feel into the character interactions (particularly the forced kiss between Kwezi and the lady hero). The plot and pacing were also really condensed in what felt like extremely short issues.
I’m hoping the storytelling improves over the series, because the art is lovely, and this series as a whole has so much potential!
Unfortunately, I felt the plot was a little generic in the sense that it’s a very typical Chosen One narrative, and I didn’t really feel into the character interactions (particularly the forced kiss between Kwezi and the lady hero). The plot and pacing were also really condensed in what felt like extremely short issues.
I’m hoping the storytelling improves over the series, because the art is lovely, and this series as a whole has so much potential!
May 2, 2018
After years of reading Marvel and DC and their ilk, reading Kwezi was a pleasure! These South African super heroes are still pretty mysterious, but I love the cosmological origin story - a nice gesture to Dogon cosmology - and I want to learn more, especially about the villain! It's so refreshing and engaging to read such a clear new take on a tired trope, and this series seems extremely promising.
March 11, 2024
Tinka: Comic book about an African Superhero.
My favourite part of the book was - The link between current day life in a big City of Gold and an ancient, mythical tribe (Star people) tasked to save the world.
My favourite part of the book was - The link between current day life in a big City of Gold and an ancient, mythical tribe (Star people) tasked to save the world.
July 21, 2018
It started off a bit slow, so it took me a while to get into it. But once I did, I couldn't stop reading. I'm glad I decided to keep going, it was worth it. I can't wait to read the next issue.
July 21, 2018
It started off a bit slow, so it took me a while to get into it. But once I did, I couldn't stop reading. I'm glad I decided to keep going, it was worth it. I can't wait to read the next issue.
May 10, 2019
Love it I want more
June 25, 2020
Great book looking for more
September 30, 2021
Fast-paced quick read. Action packed from the first page. Amazing illustrations!! Great introduction to the characters and origin story. Love the local feels! #proudlysouthafrican
June 4, 2022
Lovely to see African superheroes and also appreciated the inclusion of local languages.
August 20, 2019
Good story line, great characters, incredible art!
This African superhero story is a great read for young and old alike.
This African superhero story is a great read for young and old alike.
August 7, 2019
Note 1: This is a review for *all* the volumes of Kwezi out so far (4 as of April 2019), not just this title.
Note 2: I don't speak any of the non-English languages of South Africa, so I wasn't able to follow some of the dialogue (roughly 5%).
I got these as a gift from my sister, who recently visited South Africa. It's cool to see superheroes through a non-American lens, especially in a package like this --- all the volumes are perfect bound and about letter size, so much like the Marvel and DC graphic novels of the 80's.
The art is quite good. Loykise Mkize doesn't have complicated linework, but there's a dynamism to his figures that works great in the superhero genre. He does excellent work with pacing and makes stunning splash pages. I also love the design chops. Each volume introduces new characters, and the costuming and looks are varied, interesting, and nothing like standard Marvel and DC work. Mkise is obviously in very interested in world-building, and he builds attractive worlds.
The writing, however, wasn't as impressive. We start off following Kwezi, a brash young man who is connecting his new-found superhero abilities to his social media presence. Then, he starts encountering other heroes focused on a cause of cosmic proportions. It's a standard trope in the superhero genre (with my favorite example being Grant Morrison's Zenith), but it isn't fleshed out here with personal detail. Kwezi makes a hero's journey, but I never understood what drove him as a person. And the world building, while inventive, just never stops; the scope gets wider and wider. About the time I get invested in a character (I was a big fan of the Giant Man analog introduced in volume 3), things change dramatically. I would have appreciated a slower take on practically everything in the story.
That being said, if you're a superhero fan, I would give these a try, especially if you like dynamic art and a non-US take on the genre.
Note 2: I don't speak any of the non-English languages of South Africa, so I wasn't able to follow some of the dialogue (roughly 5%).
I got these as a gift from my sister, who recently visited South Africa. It's cool to see superheroes through a non-American lens, especially in a package like this --- all the volumes are perfect bound and about letter size, so much like the Marvel and DC graphic novels of the 80's.
The art is quite good. Loykise Mkize doesn't have complicated linework, but there's a dynamism to his figures that works great in the superhero genre. He does excellent work with pacing and makes stunning splash pages. I also love the design chops. Each volume introduces new characters, and the costuming and looks are varied, interesting, and nothing like standard Marvel and DC work. Mkise is obviously in very interested in world-building, and he builds attractive worlds.
The writing, however, wasn't as impressive. We start off following Kwezi, a brash young man who is connecting his new-found superhero abilities to his social media presence. Then, he starts encountering other heroes focused on a cause of cosmic proportions. It's a standard trope in the superhero genre (with my favorite example being Grant Morrison's Zenith), but it isn't fleshed out here with personal detail. Kwezi makes a hero's journey, but I never understood what drove him as a person. And the world building, while inventive, just never stops; the scope gets wider and wider. About the time I get invested in a character (I was a big fan of the Giant Man analog introduced in volume 3), things change dramatically. I would have appreciated a slower take on practically everything in the story.
That being said, if you're a superhero fan, I would give these a try, especially if you like dynamic art and a non-US take on the genre.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews