From Captain Africa to Kwezi and Mighty Man, these homegrown heroes have reflected the continent’s diverse cultures and challenged outdated colonial narratives. Now, a new documentary shines a spotlight on the artists behind the masks and capes. Produced and directed by Xavier Fournier and Frédéric Ralière, Children of Captain Africa premieres on TNT Africa this October. With a runtime of 53 minutes, the documentary journeys through Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond, meeting the writers, illustrators, and publishers who are reshaping the genre from the ground up. The title pays tribute to Captain Africa, a superhero created by Ghanaian Andy Akman in the 1980s, widely regarded as one of the continent’s first comic book icons. “Even though it’s necessary to explain who some of the African superheroes are, we didn’t want to make a documentary that was just a list of characters,” says Fournier. “We wanted to show why these characters matter. And the best way to do that was to interview people for whom they’re truly important.” From the bustling streets of Lagos to the creative hubs of Johannesburg, Children of Captain Africa introduces viewers to a vibrant cast of comic book creators who are reclaiming African heroism.
South Africa’s own Mohale Mashigo, an award-winning author and comic book writer based in Cape Town, brings her signature storytelling flair to the documentary. In Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa, siblings Omphile and Phemelo Dibodu, co-founders of Rainbow Nation Comics, share the origin story of Young Nelson, a contemporary South African superhero designed to inspire and empower local youth. “We are honoured to be part of Children of Captain Africa. The chance to contribute to Africa’s literary, comic book, and storytelling landscape, while giving African youth a contemporary voice through Young Nelson, is truly inspiring. We hope this sparks new creative opportunities across the continent,” says Phemelo Dibodu. Across the border in Zimbabwe, Bill Masuku, creator of Captain South Africa, offers a fresh take on pan-African heroism. Speaking from his base in Johannesburg, Masuku shares: "Children of Captain Africa is an incredible spotlight bringing yesterday’s pioneers, today’s voices, and tomorrow’s visionaries to centre stage. It’s a difficult but heart-warming conversation about the challenges, the champions, and the next chapters of African comic book artists who are no longer walking solitary journeys but moving in different directions toward the same destination."
