MPHO RANTAO
DREAMS really do come true, at least in the case of South African visual artist Loyiso Mkize.
Mkize has made his international debut with his first comic book issue for DC Comics’ ‘BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS’, which is set to go on sale in the US on July 8.
The Cape Town-based artist, and author of the first-ever South African superhero, took to Instagram to share the big news, announcing his work with DC along with a sneak peek of the issue episode featuring popular DC Comics’ villain The Riddler.
“🚨Achievement unlocked! 🚨 My debut for DC comics!!! Recently had the pleasure of pencilling an episode of Luke Fox taking on The Riddler! 😈🦇BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS #4.”, he wrote.
“So excited! S/o to @_ben_abernathy_ and everyone involved especially @camrusj for the kickass script!
“On Sale Tuesday, June 8 in the US!!! Head to your local comic book store to Pre order today!!!!!!
“Penciled By: @loyisomkize Inked By: Trevor Scott Colored By: @adalhouse Cover By: @duss005 Lettered By ALW’s @troypeteri Edited By: @_ben_abernathy_ @DCComics @theDCNation @Batman”.
Mkize is known as the first South African to create and publish a comic book series on the first South African superhero named Kwezi, which was launched in 2015.
Set in the cosmopolitan city of Johannesburg, Kwezi is a unique South African hero who, when he learns about his superpower, learns to use them for good.
Mkize successfully published 15 issues of Kwezi over seven years, before ending his journey with the superhero through issues 13 to 15 as a collectors’ edition earlier this year and paid tribute to it as his most “rewarding labour of love”.
“That’s a wrap!!! Finally celebrating 15 whole episodes of Mzanzi’s superhero series @kwezi_flyboy!! It’s been seven years of capturing our youths’ imagination and inspiring a heroic age in Mzanzi storytelling,” Mkize wrote on his final works.
“S/o to the young fans who’ve made this project the most rewarding labour of love!
”And with the animated series in the horizon, now, we conquer the world!!! 🌎💯💥The latest collectors edition #13 – #15 will be on shelves in May at leading bookstores nationwide!#KWEZI-verse #kwezicomics #kwezi_flyboy #lmart #african #comics #comicbooks #superhero #azania,” wrote Mkize about this last offering on Kwezi.
Upon the announcement of his collaboration with DC Comics, many of Mkize’s fans were, in the comments section on Instagram, cheering on the artist for his latest achievement.
Alasong Artworks wrote: “Congratulations!✊🏾 Been trying to get a hold of these in the USA for a while now. Excited for you💪🏾”.
I’m so glad I got my Kwezi comic book signed at the Cape Town book fair,” said In My Kitchen Podcast.
Button Mash ZA said: “A BIG win for you and the team. S/O to you for doing the most as you keep rising through the African art you produce. Wakanda Forever @loyisomkize! We are behind you!
“It’s been wonderful to watch your journey with this Loyiso 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽,” said former South African news anchor and television presenter, Melanie Bala.
