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Ebook Details
  • 04/2024
  • 9798893420678 B0CYCTXV5F
  • 112 pages
  • $2.99
Olajide Adegbite
Author
Saucerman

Adult; Comics/Graphic Novels; (Market)

In 1975, the attention of the world caught a space rock travelling through our solar system. Unlike other meteorites in space, it exhibited very unusual signatures on the radar and emitted radio signals which suggests it may be a piece of alien technology floating in space. The entire scientific community was fascinated by this anomaly in space, but that soon changed to horror when it changed, and set course for earth... Thirty years later, it vanished from space! Almost immediately, several reports of sightings of an alien spacecraft began to emerge from the politically and economically-troubled United African Republic-UAR. The political instability of the west African powerhouse stems from a rare element named Yorubium discovered fifteen years prior. This precious element has proven to be the ultimate solution to global energy crises, hence the desperation by various political interests to access and mine. The United African Republic now hosts two of the most important discoveries in the history of mankind; Yorubium and an alien spacecraft. As expected, international pressure was mounted on the people and the Government of the United African Republic to hand over the Alien spacecraft to a more technologically advanced committee of nations so as to contain the threat the Alien spacecraft may pose to humanity. The only thing standing in their way is ''The Saucerman'' who may be Human or Alien
Reviews
Adegbite and artist Quantum Servus craft the first chapter of an ongoing series about an ex-Air Force agent named Teriba Fashina of the fictional United African Republic (UAR), a nation facing terrorism and political and economic instability while Teriba endures personal tragedy. Thanks to political corruption, he's relieved of his command after a strike against terrorists that goes too well for the tastes of traitors in the government. But both his and the UAR’s fortunes begin to turn when Teriba, who has dreamed of flying in space and even meeting extraterrestrials, recovers a meteor suspected of being an alien spacecraft—and seems chosen, by beings from elsewhere, to become a hero.

This is a brisk, exciting introduction for a character and series that celebrates African culture and storytelling with a sharp political edge, a hearty dash of flying-saucer and alien-abduction SF, crisp, exciting art, and clear love for superheroes, which here feel grounded despite some literally high-flying action. Adegbite blends the fantastical aspects with real-world commentary on colonialism and its short and long-term effects on sovereign African nations, all while telling a somewhat traditional origin story—Teriba puts his new alien powers to thrilling use, for the public good, but they come with wrenching loss, pressing questions of responsibility, and a host of complications. The president of Westernia, a U.S.-like country, makes a veiled threat to the president of the UAR regarding the spacecraft if he doesn't hand it over. When terrorists take tourists hostage, Teriba boldly uses his new powers to free them, all while the UAR faces a coup attempt and an international conspiracy, plunging the nation into chaos.

Servus’s action is exciting, with inventive panel angels never diminishing the clarity, and the characters prove distinct and engaging with a minimum of us. It's fascinating to see how Adegbite creates a narrative that turns the tables on greed, corruption, and foreign exploitation in such an exhilarating manner, all while leaving so much to explore in the future.

Takeaway: Surprising superhero origin involving UFOs and an African republic.

Comparable Titles: Roye Okupe and Sunkanmi Akinboye’s Windmaker series, Loyiso Mkize and Clyde Beech’s Kwezi series.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: B+

Formats
Ebook Details
  • 04/2024
  • 9798893420678 B0CYCTXV5F
  • 112 pages
  • $2.99
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