Nigeria-based publisher of African comic books Comic Republic has signed a deal with US-based production companies namely Emagine Content and Jackie Boy Entertainment to adapt its literary works for TV.

Comics published by Comic Republic include Ireti, Aje and Vanguards. The characters and stories are rooted in Africa and its people, locales and mythology.

According to Comic Republic, the first project to emerge from the Emagine-Jackie Boy pact will be a feature film adaptation of Ireti.

The titular character is one of the first wave of kick-ass female comic-book heroes, who fights to bring justice to the streets of Nigeria, while Aje follows a hurting female superhero, betrayed by her boyfriend, who cheated on her with a friend. Vanguards focuses on an Avengers-style team of superheroes, while the company’s flagship character is caped superhero Guardian Prime.

“We are thrilled to finally announce one of the many projects we’ve been working on behind the scenes. We’ve signed a production deal with Emagine Content and Maryland-based Jackie Boy Entertainment to bring Ireti to the big screen. Yep! Ireti is getting a movie!” the publisher announced on Instagram.

Ben Phelps, CEO of Emagine Content, added: “This deal is a major push towards diversity on the silver screen for black superheroes.”

The move comes after the huge box office success for Hollywood superhero movie Black Panther in 2018. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the film grossed over US$1.3bn worldwide, won awards and broke box office records.

tagged in: Aje, Ben Phelps, Comic Republic, Emagine Content, Ireti, Jackie Boy Entertainment, Vanguards