Akogun: Brutalizer of the Gods #1 Review

By Nolan P Smith
Editor

I love mythology. It’s been one of my favorite topics since the 6th grade. So when I heard of Akogun: Brutalizer of the Gods from Oni Press, I was more than intrigued. After reading the first oversized issue, I am hooked.

This is a debut issue for the ages from writer Murewa Ayodele and artist Dotun Akande. We get a dark African fantasy tale with gods plucked straight from the Santerian legends, and it is fantastic. We meet the hero of the story, Akogun, and then go backward to see how he is tied to the gods Obatala and Ogun and why he seeks to destroy the gods. Ayodele crafts such an epic story- this is a must-read if you are a fan of Hercules, Thor, or God of War. Akogun is a literal force of nature, destroying man and monsters as he blazes a trail to the gods.

Akande’s artwork is terrific—the emotions that come through the linework are something you need to see. Not overly detailed, the artwork and graphic design elements really make this feel like an animated epic. I love the artwork, the character designs, and the fantastic covers. Having studied world religions, I found that seeing Ogun pop up here was a treat. His epic design is all I would have hoped for regarding such an important, imposing figure in mythology.

I love a good revenge story, and that’s what this is. Akogun: Brutalizer of the Gods is the modern-day mythology the comic book world has needed for some time. This debut issue is packed with action, story, and some of the best sequential art storytelling I have ever had the pleasure of reviewing. Don’t miss out on the first epic of 2024.

Rating: FIVE Pastrami Nations out of FIVE.