U.S. comic book publisher Marvel has launched the first superhero comic to be set in an African country titled “Blessing in Disguise”, which is inspired by the adoption of the Chibok girls in 2014.
The book is set in Lagos and features Ngozi, who is a superheroine fighting evil in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos.
Blessing in Disguise is created by award-winning Nigeria-American writer Nnedi Okorafor. The published story is part of Marvel’s Venomverse comic with Ngozi appearing alongside Black Panther and Spider Man villain Venom.
Ngozi is a character based on one of the Chibok girls and is expected to serve as a role model for girls, said the science fiction writer.
“I had asked the artist to make Ngozi in the likes of one of Chibok girls … I asked her to draw Ngozi in her likeness,” Okorafor told BBC.
“They were normal girls who suddenly had to deal with a huge change in their lives … and their story of perseverance is so powerful. Like many Nigerian girls, Ngozi comes in a small package but is strong-willed and determined.”
According to Africa News, Okorafor said her dream is to see the Ngozi character create diversity in the world of superheroes which will inspire the creation of more African comic book characters.
She has created over 20 novels and short stories including award-winning Binti and her debut novel Zahrah The Windseeker which won the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa award.
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