The following is an interview with Murewa Ayodele regarding the upcoming release of the dark fantasy comic book series, Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods, through Oni Press. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Ayodele about his shared creative process in collaborating with artist Dotun Akande to bring the epic world and characters to life on the page, what he hopes that readers may connect with about the series, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the series’ premise?
Murewa Ayodele: Thank you. It’s our utmost pleasure to be talking to you about our comic book series.
Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods was born from the marriage of the swashbuckling adventures of the Sword and Sorcery genre (like Conan the Barbarian) mixed with the dark themes of Yoruba Mythology. We like to say it’s Robert E. Howard meets Wole Soyinka.
The plot follows a young hunter/warrior named Akogun who has everything he holds dear taken from him by his cruel world. Now, he has become a one-man-reckoning for the guilty and the gods they worship.
BD: As longtime collaborators through your own comic book studios, Collectible Comics NG, what can you tell us about your shared creative process in working with artist Dotun Akande to craft this incredible fantasy world and characters that is based in Yoruba mythology?
MA: Dotun Akande and I don’t really see ourselves as a studio anymore at this point. We are best friends, so we tell stories together like one. Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods started like a lot of our other projects. One of us calls the other person and says, “Wouldn’t it be cool if…?” and then we start shooting write-ups and artwork at each other nonstop. When the dust settles, a new story (world, characters, and plot) is born. Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods started with both of us remembering the Yoruba myth of how the world and the creatures that called it home were all made by a drunk god. We’ve set out to tell the story of that god, rival Yoruba gods, and the man who brutalizes them.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Akogun’s story may connect with and impact readers?
MA: I used to suffer from a form of soul-crushing and excruciatingly painful migraines. They grew worse and more frequent over the years. There was no ignoring them anymore. I needed to see a medical specialist to investigate the cause, so a possible solution could be found. When it was finally time to see the doctor, I suddenly grew cold feet. The pain had been with me for so long that I feared that I would no longer be myself if I was free of it. Our protagonist, Akogun, carries a lot of hurt with him, and letting go of the hurt means he would have to let go of the most important people in his life. I think we all know a thing or two about nursing hurt and trauma… well enough to bring connection with this story.
BD: What makes Oni Press the perfect home for Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods?
MA: Oni reached out to us (Dotun Akande and me) at about the same time we had just sent them an email showing our deep desire to work with them, as well. We absolutely love their books (like KaijuMax, Scott Pilgrim, etc.), and it seems like the feeling is mutual (with our books like I Am Iron Man), so it was a match made in heaven.
It’s been a dream come true watching Oni Press have a baller 2024, and Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods getting to share in that spotlight.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
MA: For now, we’re pretty focused on the exhilarating world of Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods. It’s got everything that excites us as storytellers. We are talking about a Kirby-esque cosmic-level scope, cool swords wielded in creatively brutal ways, and erotic escapades of immortal beings. Ideas for a sequel series, Akogun: Revenge of the Gods, are already being developed.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods and your other work?
MA: Dotun (@Dotun_Ak) and I (@murewaayodele) are always available on X (formerly Twitter) to provide more information about Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods and our other work.
Thank you for having us.
