What do you think?
Rate this book
WindMaker Volume 1
After an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity, the fictional West African nation of Atala is thrust into an era of unrest and dysfunction when their beloved president turns vicious dictator.
With the country on the brink of civil war, the WindMaker—an ancient hero of the Atalians— mysteriously returns in what appears to be an effort to save his people. The only problem is that his spirit is reincarnated into the last person anyone expects to help—the president’s head of security!
With the country on the brink of civil war, the WindMaker—an ancient hero of the Atalians— mysteriously returns in what appears to be an effort to save his people. The only problem is that his spirit is reincarnated into the last person anyone expects to help—the president’s head of security!
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2022
4 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Roye Okupe
29 books104 followersBorn in Lagos, Nigeria, Roye Okupe is a creative specialist who holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in computer science from The George Washington University. His passion for animation led him to found YouNeek Studios in 2012, an avenue that would allow him pursue his dream of creating a diverse library of superheroes. Under that umbrella, Roye wrote, produced and directed several animated productions including, but not limited to, 2D/3D animated short films, TV commercials, show openers, music videos and much more. These productions have allowed Roye to attain much prestigious recognition’s such as being #5 on Ventures Africa’s list of 40 African innovators to watch (2016) as well as being part of NewAfrican Magazines’ 100 most influential Africans of 2016.
With the superhero genre currently at the height of popularity, Roye has made it a goal to create a connected universe of heroes, with origins from locations that are currently neglected and/or ignored. In August 2015, Roye released his debut graphic novel titled: E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams Part One, a superhero story set in a futuristic Nigeria. E.X.O. was received with critical acclaim and has since been featured on CNN, Forbes, The New York Times, NBC, The Guardian, ABC7, BBC, The Huffington Post, Mashabe and more!
With the superhero genre currently at the height of popularity, Roye has made it a goal to create a connected universe of heroes, with origins from locations that are currently neglected and/or ignored. In August 2015, Roye released his debut graphic novel titled: E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams Part One, a superhero story set in a futuristic Nigeria. E.X.O. was received with critical acclaim and has since been featured on CNN, Forbes, The New York Times, NBC, The Guardian, ABC7, BBC, The Huffington Post, Mashabe and more!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 15, 2023
This comics volume felt grounded and authentic, which are good things, but also a little too "tell-not-show-y" for my tastes. Still my curiosity has been piqued for what comes next, I'll read the next one if I come across it.
July 5, 2022
This was a random selection simply based on what the library had to offer.
The story takes places in what appears to be a larger universe named…YouNeek YouNiverse. Tots adorbs as the kids say. But, you know, sarcastically.
So, there’s a kingdom of Atala that sounds like a total Wakanda rip-off and its leader has recently decided to become a dictator, because a.dictators are all the rage these days and b. that thing they say about absolute power. And there’s an opposition party but they are very pacifistic in nature. And there’s the leader’s second-in-command who has ties with both sides of the fight, a man fiercely loyal but not brainwashed by that loyalty.
Let the power battles begin.
The political commentary is pretty good. The characters are compelling enough. The writing’s pretty solid. The art is the least exciting thing here, on par with bland video game graphics most of the time.
Overall, a decent but by no means spectacular quick read.
The story takes places in what appears to be a larger universe named…YouNeek YouNiverse. Tots adorbs as the kids say. But, you know, sarcastically.
So, there’s a kingdom of Atala that sounds like a total Wakanda rip-off and its leader has recently decided to become a dictator, because a.dictators are all the rage these days and b. that thing they say about absolute power. And there’s an opposition party but they are very pacifistic in nature. And there’s the leader’s second-in-command who has ties with both sides of the fight, a man fiercely loyal but not brainwashed by that loyalty.
Let the power battles begin.
The political commentary is pretty good. The characters are compelling enough. The writing’s pretty solid. The art is the least exciting thing here, on par with bland video game graphics most of the time.
Overall, a decent but by no means spectacular quick read.
February 13, 2022
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss.)
MALIKA: WARRIOR QUEEN has been on my TBR list for a while now - but after devouring WINDMAKER, it just got bumped up. Set in the same universe as MALIKA (YouNeek Studios's YouNeek YouNiverse), WINDMAKER takes place in the near future - 2025, to be exact.
In the fictional West African nation of Atala, civil unrest is brewing as the nation's democratically elected leader is seeking to amend the constitution to allow himself to serve a third term. Though then-Vice President Mofeoluwa Balogun ran on a relatively progressive platform, in recent years his regime has veered towards authoritarianism, conducting illicit surveillance programs, cracking down on protests and curbing freedom of speech, and using the threat of police brutality to keep citizens in line. Things have only worsened since the attempt on his life, which Balogun attributes (without evidence) to "terrorist" groups like the RGA and Dark Ravens.
Just as it seems all hope is lost, a champion arrives in the reincarnation of the mythic WindMaker. King Bass, the original WindMaker who manifested his powers thanks to the Wind Stone, fought alongside Queen Malika in the fifteenth century. Legend has it that some day King Bass will return to save his people a second time. No one expected that he'd be born into the body of the President's adopted son and head of security, Boluwatife (Bo).
Twice orphaned, as a teenager Bo was recruited into the Veep's training academy by the First Lady - and, later, welcomed into their home. His childhood friends, Sola and Dayo, recognize the President for what he is: a dictator. But can they convince Bo to join the resistance before President Balogun cements his power?
WINDMAKER, VOLUME 1 sets the stage for what promises to be an action-packed and compelling story, one that's all too relevant today. In addition to the political intrigue and scifi details (a floating palace!) Okupe introduces supernatural elements that add an extra layer of mystery and mayhem to the story. While we get to meet the RGA, the Dark Ravens are mostly just hinted at, and I can't wait to visit Raven Island in volume two. Ditto the Olon Jin and the Forbidden Island.
MALIKA: WARRIOR QUEEN has been on my TBR list for a while now - but after devouring WINDMAKER, it just got bumped up. Set in the same universe as MALIKA (YouNeek Studios's YouNeek YouNiverse), WINDMAKER takes place in the near future - 2025, to be exact.
In the fictional West African nation of Atala, civil unrest is brewing as the nation's democratically elected leader is seeking to amend the constitution to allow himself to serve a third term. Though then-Vice President Mofeoluwa Balogun ran on a relatively progressive platform, in recent years his regime has veered towards authoritarianism, conducting illicit surveillance programs, cracking down on protests and curbing freedom of speech, and using the threat of police brutality to keep citizens in line. Things have only worsened since the attempt on his life, which Balogun attributes (without evidence) to "terrorist" groups like the RGA and Dark Ravens.
Just as it seems all hope is lost, a champion arrives in the reincarnation of the mythic WindMaker. King Bass, the original WindMaker who manifested his powers thanks to the Wind Stone, fought alongside Queen Malika in the fifteenth century. Legend has it that some day King Bass will return to save his people a second time. No one expected that he'd be born into the body of the President's adopted son and head of security, Boluwatife (Bo).
Twice orphaned, as a teenager Bo was recruited into the Veep's training academy by the First Lady - and, later, welcomed into their home. His childhood friends, Sola and Dayo, recognize the President for what he is: a dictator. But can they convince Bo to join the resistance before President Balogun cements his power?
WINDMAKER, VOLUME 1 sets the stage for what promises to be an action-packed and compelling story, one that's all too relevant today. In addition to the political intrigue and scifi details (a floating palace!) Okupe introduces supernatural elements that add an extra layer of mystery and mayhem to the story. While we get to meet the RGA, the Dark Ravens are mostly just hinted at, and I can't wait to visit Raven Island in volume two. Ditto the Olon Jin and the Forbidden Island.
October 11, 2022
This first volume is the setup for something that appears to have elements of both science fiction and fantasy. While I'm rounding up my rating to four stars, I do have some qualms about the writing. For instance, by setting the story only a very few years in the future, the science fictional elements are difficult to swallow, especially the flying palace. Yes, Marvel Comics gave their world the advanced tech for such things, but they acknowledged it as such, and occasionally gave explanations. This story...not so much, although it is set in the same universe as the E.X.O. stories, so the possibility for an explanation is there. You can't just say "really big jets" and leave it at that, though, given the way they're shown in the artwork.
That said, this has been accused of being based on a Wakanda ripoff, and I have to differ with that opinion. They are both based on some aspects of West African culture and lore, but taking them in different directions. Atala is no utopia, for one thing. For another, we've seen no signs of the isolationist culture of a Wakanda. The problem is that in this first volume, we've really seen nothing of the world in which Atala exists in the year 2025, and that makes it a bit less informative than it might have been.
Still, the basic plot of an elected leader slowly moving away from democracy and toward autocratic rule isn't at all farfetched. Sadly, we've seen it happen too often in our own world.
I do have to go back and read the Malika stories, though. I hadn't read those, and this is partly a sequel to one aspect of those stories.
That said, this has been accused of being based on a Wakanda ripoff, and I have to differ with that opinion. They are both based on some aspects of West African culture and lore, but taking them in different directions. Atala is no utopia, for one thing. For another, we've seen no signs of the isolationist culture of a Wakanda. The problem is that in this first volume, we've really seen nothing of the world in which Atala exists in the year 2025, and that makes it a bit less informative than it might have been.
Still, the basic plot of an elected leader slowly moving away from democracy and toward autocratic rule isn't at all farfetched. Sadly, we've seen it happen too often in our own world.
I do have to go back and read the Malika stories, though. I hadn't read those, and this is partly a sequel to one aspect of those stories.
September 19, 2022
Thank you to Dark Horse Comics for the ARC.
Been sitting in this a while, and finally demanded I had it. I have not read any if the YOUNEEK comics before, do I was just jumping into the world. And, honestly, even though I was confused at first, the WindMaker team does a great job if explaining the world enough to keep it engaging and understandable. The art is quite good, and there are some surprises. I'd certainly read more in this universe and the next volume of WindMaker.
Been sitting in this a while, and finally demanded I had it. I have not read any if the YOUNEEK comics before, do I was just jumping into the world. And, honestly, even though I was confused at first, the WindMaker team does a great job if explaining the world enough to keep it engaging and understandable. The art is quite good, and there are some surprises. I'd certainly read more in this universe and the next volume of WindMaker.
June 16, 2023
Personally, i think this is just an unfortunate name for a series...anyway, not my flavour of comic: lots of shouty, stilted dialogue, cardboard masquerading as characters and their constipated expressions. Why do all the characters in this sort of generic series always look like they have constipation?? Is that why they shout so much and are always so angry? Maybe they are making too much wind...
July 7, 2022
Very similar to Wakanda. I like the floating citadel.
February 8, 2022
trigger warning
The president of the West African country Atalanta is trying to look like the perfect regent while also not following the rules, and the director of his security is forced to take a look at which side of his fatherfigure the others see.
Fair disclaimer: I’m white and thus not an own voices reader for this story in any way, shape or form. I can’t tell you how well the Yoruba myths were integrated, what the hairstyles and clothes and language used tell us about the people who feature in this story. You need to go elsewhere for that.
I wanted to give this a try because I’m into fantasy, graphic novels, and try to read diversly. I was not disappointed.
The plot is slow but moves at a constant pace. This is not a critique, it’s just very different from the comics I read recently, and I was not expecting it. This volume is the beginning of things, or rather of recent things because bonus material between chapters and and the end tell us that this is a rich world, with so much more to discover, and this is only one of multiple stories that could be told.
The protagonist, Bo, is the director of the Red Knights, the president’s security and elite military troup, and we meet him when he’s on a day off and visits childhood friends who are like family to him. Though they’re glad to meet him for dinner, politics come up, and we quickly realise that this is more than just family coming together and people having different opinions: His brother and sister by choice rather than by blood accuse him of being too far removed from the reality most citizens live. From then on, the reader is left to form their own opinion of how the president handles things.
For the main part of this volume, sci fi and fantasy elements are very light. The president has this flying fortress and some technology seems to be more advanced than what I know, and apart from mentions of Yoruba mythology, which could be just that, mythology, nothing happens that is in any kind supernatural. The last chapter brings this in, though, and I can’t complain that it took so long because it felt right.
The art. While I prefer the illustrations between chapters, I get why they chose to do the comics as such as they did, because it’s easy to follow and see what’s happening. I was struck by the action scenes, because they looked real, as if the artist is either an anatomy pro or has dabbled in martial arts, both in terms of how movements look and reactions follow, but also in terms of garments worn by people who expect to be fighting. Clothing is pleasing to the eye and practical. Not something I’m used to, regardless of where the story comes from.
No weird posing to get butt and boobs in the frame. For this alone I’d read on, but on top of that we have characters that feel like real people, interesting world-building, and a compelling plot.
Last but not least, minor detail I’m sure, but the hair. Glorious hair where the artist knew what to do with it. Again, not something I’m used to, because so many white creators don’t bother to learn and just default to a few options.
Don’t really have anything bad to say about it. I was entertained, despite not getting all of it. I appreciated the footnotes with translations or explanations that did not disturb the flow. And if I like it as much as I did, I can’t imagine how much people who see themselves represented will adore this.
Full recommendations and I’ll read on.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
The president of the West African country Atalanta is trying to look like the perfect regent while also not following the rules, and the director of his security is forced to take a look at which side of his fatherfigure the others see.
Fair disclaimer: I’m white and thus not an own voices reader for this story in any way, shape or form. I can’t tell you how well the Yoruba myths were integrated, what the hairstyles and clothes and language used tell us about the people who feature in this story. You need to go elsewhere for that.
I wanted to give this a try because I’m into fantasy, graphic novels, and try to read diversly. I was not disappointed.
The plot is slow but moves at a constant pace. This is not a critique, it’s just very different from the comics I read recently, and I was not expecting it. This volume is the beginning of things, or rather of recent things because bonus material between chapters and and the end tell us that this is a rich world, with so much more to discover, and this is only one of multiple stories that could be told.
The protagonist, Bo, is the director of the Red Knights, the president’s security and elite military troup, and we meet him when he’s on a day off and visits childhood friends who are like family to him. Though they’re glad to meet him for dinner, politics come up, and we quickly realise that this is more than just family coming together and people having different opinions: His brother and sister by choice rather than by blood accuse him of being too far removed from the reality most citizens live. From then on, the reader is left to form their own opinion of how the president handles things.
For the main part of this volume, sci fi and fantasy elements are very light. The president has this flying fortress and some technology seems to be more advanced than what I know, and apart from mentions of Yoruba mythology, which could be just that, mythology, nothing happens that is in any kind supernatural. The last chapter brings this in, though, and I can’t complain that it took so long because it felt right.
The art. While I prefer the illustrations between chapters, I get why they chose to do the comics as such as they did, because it’s easy to follow and see what’s happening. I was struck by the action scenes, because they looked real, as if the artist is either an anatomy pro or has dabbled in martial arts, both in terms of how movements look and reactions follow, but also in terms of garments worn by people who expect to be fighting. Clothing is pleasing to the eye and practical. Not something I’m used to, regardless of where the story comes from.
No weird posing to get butt and boobs in the frame. For this alone I’d read on, but on top of that we have characters that feel like real people, interesting world-building, and a compelling plot.
Last but not least, minor detail I’m sure, but the hair. Glorious hair where the artist knew what to do with it. Again, not something I’m used to, because so many white creators don’t bother to learn and just default to a few options.
Don’t really have anything bad to say about it. I was entertained, despite not getting all of it. I appreciated the footnotes with translations or explanations that did not disturb the flow. And if I like it as much as I did, I can’t imagine how much people who see themselves represented will adore this.
Full recommendations and I’ll read on.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
December 16, 2023
The way that this story draws from West-African culture, particularly Yoruba culture from Nigeria, was great. Unfortunately that was about the only thing I enjoyed about it. I'll admit I was drawn to this book by its great cover art, but probably would have passed it by if I'd realised sooner that it is a type of superhero story.
I see now that there have been previous stories set in this world, although 500 years before this one. Although the author says that you should be able to enter the story with this book first, I did feel throughout the book that I was missing some key information around the world building which I think the previous stories might have filled in.
The characters were fine, they all had decent motivations, I just wasn't invested in them. While the plot just never hooked me. So I don't think I have any interest in picking up the sequel any time soon.
I see now that there have been previous stories set in this world, although 500 years before this one. Although the author says that you should be able to enter the story with this book first, I did feel throughout the book that I was missing some key information around the world building which I think the previous stories might have filled in.
The characters were fine, they all had decent motivations, I just wasn't invested in them. While the plot just never hooked me. So I don't think I have any interest in picking up the sequel any time soon.
November 22, 2023
1.5 stars
DNF. An amateurish Black Panther story with the serial numbers filed off. The art and dialogue and plotting are all just so bland and uninspiring. The Yoruba cultural references are maybe the only unique element, though the decision to point out and explain so many of them with editor’s textboxes makes them feel more didactic than anything.
DNF. An amateurish Black Panther story with the serial numbers filed off. The art and dialogue and plotting are all just so bland and uninspiring. The Yoruba cultural references are maybe the only unique element, though the decision to point out and explain so many of them with editor’s textboxes makes them feel more didactic than anything.
March 4, 2025
This was a great read!! I will be continuing the series and checking out the other stuff this writer has done. There are pages in between the chapters that talk about the characters/world building/etc and I want to explore this world more. Highly recommend this one.
April 1, 2022
rather slow to get to where you early on knew it was headed
April 16, 2022
Very much looking forward to the next one!
June 4, 2022
I was hoping for more fantasy in the story and this feels more like a superhero origin story. So if you’re looking for a super hero graphic novel it’s good option for you.
August 30, 2022
Super comic with right vs wrong, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and the importance of friendship themes.
Wonderful!!
Wonderful!!
July 3, 2024
Meh. Didn't do anything for me. But I don't really read comics so probably not a useful review for most people.
December 16, 2024
Very enjoyable. I would love to see this adapted into a live action TV series!
(not at all politically topical rn /s)
(not at all politically topical rn /s)
December 18, 2022
Total fan of this! Can't wait to see what's next.
August 7, 2022
I adore all the books. The characters are well rounded, the art is awesome and such powerful stories.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews