Looking for the best African comic books? African comics and graphic novels have never been stronger. From Kinshasa to Lagos, Abidjan and Johannesburg, African creators are writing their own heroes. Here are ten African comic books to read in 2026, from award-winning classics to new superhero sagas. Full disclosure: three of them are ISOLELE books.
1. Zaiire: The Prince of Kongo and The Necklace of Destiny (ISOLELE, DR Congo)
A demigod born in a thunderstorm on the banks of the Congo River grows up not knowing he is royalty, with only half of a sacred artifact, the Necklace of Destiny. The first book of a nine-book saga and a bestseller at Nuria Bookstore in Nairobi. Available now.
2. Aya of Yop City by Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie (Côte d’Ivoire)
Nineteen-year-old Aya and her friends navigate love, family and ambition in Yopougon, a neighbourhood of Abidjan, in 1978. It won the prize for best first album at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2006 and remains one of the most loved African graphic novels.
3. Iyanu: Child of Wonder by Roye Okupe and Godwin Akpan (Nigeria)
A teenage orphan discovers powers that rival the ancient deities of her people’s folklore. The series won a Nommo Award for Best Graphic Novel and became an animated series on Cartoon Network and Max.
4. E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams by Roye Okupe (Nigeria)
An Afrofuturist superhero story about a young man who inherits a suit with extraordinary powers in a futuristic African city. NPR named it one of the best books of 2021.
5. Madame Livingstone by Barly Baruti and Christophe Cassiau-Haurie (DR Congo)
Barly Baruti, the most internationally recognised Congolese comic artist, takes readers to the Congo during the First World War. A beautifully drawn historical graphic novel by a master of the form.
6. Shango et Zaiire: Une Lettre d’un Père à son Fils (ISOLELE, DR Congo)
Shango, god of storms and rain, writes to the son he could not raise: a story about fathers, sons and the distance between them. Published in six languages, including Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili and Tshiluba. Open for pre-order.
7. Malika: Warrior Queen by Roye Okupe and Chima Kalu (Nigeria)
In 15th-century West Africa, Malika inherits her father’s crown just as her kingdom is split in two. A GLYPH Story of the Year winner, now being adapted into an animated feature film.
8. Kwezi by Loyiso Mkize (South Africa)
A young man in Gold City, a city inspired by Johannesburg, discovers he has superpowers and must learn what being a hero really means. One of the best-known superhero comics from South Africa.
9. Zaïko: The Leopard Phantom King of the Streets (ISOLELE, DR Congo)
Born in Kivu with nothing but hunger and gunfire for an inheritance, Zaïko rises with his brother Zirofa until the streets crown him themselves. A raw, street-level hero who tells eastern Congo from the inside. Coming soon.
10. Akissi by Marguerite Abouet and Mathieu Sapin (Côte d’Ivoire)
The hilarious adventures of a fearless little girl in Abidjan, inspired by the author’s own childhood. A perfect first African comic book for young readers.
Why these ten?
We chose books rooted in African history, myth and everyday life, made by African creators, and easy to find in 2026. Together they show that African comics are not one style but many: superhero sagas, family comedies, Afrofuturism and historical epics.
Discover more African comics
ISOLELE creates Congolese comics and graphic novels in its own genre, Katiomics, with more than 300 characters. Start with Zaiire: The Prince of Kongo, then read the history of Congolese comics on our news page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best African comic books to read in 2026?
Our top ten: Zaiire: The Prince of Kongo, Aya of Yop City, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams, Madame Livingstone, Shango et Zaiire, Malika: Warrior Queen, Kwezi, Zaïko and Akissi.
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