The Story ⚡
Comic enthusiasts are in for a thrill as the Coker brothers unveil Bronze Faces, a gripping tale centred on an art heist involving Nigeria’s treasured cultural artefacts. universe.
Tell Me More
Nigerian creators Shobo and Shof, known for New Masters, are set to debut their latest project, Bronze Faces, a gripping art heist drama that brings real-world issues to the comic stage in 2025.
Collaborating with artist (The Good Asian), the story follows childhood friends Timi, Sango, and Gbonka, who take matters into their own hands after a family artefact is displayed in the British Museum without consent. What begins as a personal mission evolves into a larger-scale operation when they discover The Register, a document cataloguing numerous colonial-era stolen artefacts, leading them to target the infamous Benin Bronzes.
These treasures, emblematic of Nigeria’s Kingdom of Benin, were looted by the British Empire in the late 19th century and remain central to global debates about artefact repatriation.
The creators draw inspiration from their Nigerian heritage and ongoing discussions about cultural restitution. Shobo describes the series as “part heist, part homecoming, and part myth,” while Shof envisions it as a bold, afrobeat-infused reclaiming of cultural identity.
Tefenkgi adds that the creative process mirrors crafting an animated feature, incorporating meticulous research and detail. Published by BOOM! Studios, *Bronze Faces* will feature dynamic covers by Shof, Tefenkgi, and others, promising a visually rich introduction to this ambitious narrative. The project not only highlights the Kingdom of Benin’s history but also challenges readers to consider the rightful ownership of cultural artefacts and the lengths one might go to reclaim them.
Key Background
Shobo and Shof Coker are trailblazing Nigerian creatives whose dynamic partnership has redefined storytelling through comics and visual media. Shobo, a thoughtful narrative designer and writer, is known for his compelling plots and immersive world-building. He first gained recognition in 2014 with Outcasts of Jupiter, an African futurist graphic novel he co-created with Shof.
This project set the stage for his illustrious career, which includes titles like Buckhead (2021), a suspenseful and character-driven comic, and New Masters (2022), an expansive narrative exploring themes of power and colonization in a futuristic Lagos. Shobo’s expertise extends to video game storytelling, having worked as a narrative designer on The Lamplighters League. His work is marked by a keen exploration of identity and culture.
Shof, on the other hand, is an acclaimed illustrator and director whose art is influenced by 90s cartoons, Franco-Belgian comics, and cinematic styles from legends like Miyazaki and Wong Kar-wai. Alongside Outcasts of Jupiter and New Masters, Shof’s portfolio includes work on the award-winning animated documentary Liyana and directing Moremi, a short film in Disney’s Kizazi Moto series.
His artistic vision is rooted in blending poetic truths with vibrant visuals, making his projects as evocative as they are innovative. Together, the Coker brothers are championing African narratives in global comics, using their work to reclaim heritage and inspire new audiences.
Tangent
Cultural storytelling in comics is a dynamic and evolving art form, allowing creators to spotlight heritage, history, and identity in visually engaging narratives. Bronze Faces, by the Coker brothers, exemplifies this approach by weaving a compelling art heist story around the repatriation of Nigeria’s cultural artifacts. Such works are not just entertaining; they serve as cultural archives and platforms for reclaiming narratives. African futurist comics like New Masters, another work by Shobo and Shof, similarly highlight themes of identity, colonization, and resistance, demonstrating how comics can be both creative and culturally significant.
This trend isn’t limited to African stories. Comics like They Called Us Enemy by George Takei explore Japanese-American experiences during World War II, and March by John Lewis details the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, using the medium to educate and inspire. Bronze Faces follows this tradition by grounding its fictional heist in real-world historical debates about artifact repatriation, bringing attention to global cultural justice while celebrating African heritage. These examples underscore how cultural storytelling in comics not only entertains but fosters critical dialogue on history and identity.
In Summary
BOOM! Studios is set to unveil “Bronze Faces #1” on February 5, 2025. This debut issue introduces a captivating IP that could translate well to the big screen, sparking hopes for a future film adaptation.
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