Ejiofor: The Warrior King (Vol. 1) by Cisi Eze, Joseph N.G and Kenny O.N.M.

Ejiofor: The Warrior King delivers a visually arresting and ambitious start, though it occasionally buckles under its mythic scale.

Ejiofor: The Warrior King (Vol. 1) is a bold fusion of celestial mythology and African warrior epics, crafted by writer Cisi Eze and artist Joseph N.G. The comic reimagines divine prophecy through the lens of Igbo cosmology, pitting a destined child against fallen gods and earthly kings. 

Synopsis

The comic tells the epic story of Zecham, the devout 7th Heaven king who prays to God for a son to rule alongside him. God grants his wish and foretells that his son, Ejiofor, will become “the greatest of them all.”

However, Amadioha (a fallen angel worshipped as a god of thunder by the Igbo people) learns of Ejiofor’s destined greatness and sees his own downfall in the child’s future. In response, Amadioha declares war on the 7th Heaven, forcing Zecham to send his infant son to Earth (the 1st Heaven) for safety. Ejiofor lands in Eastern Nigeria (Igbo land), setting the stage for his future as a divine warrior and king.

The story then follows Ejiofor, the heavenly prince cast to Earth to escape a celestial war. Raised in Eastern Nigeria, he grows into the legendary “Warrior King,” whose strength draws the wrath of the thunder god Amadioha. 

When two kingdoms clash over land, Ejiofor becomes their champion, but his divine lineage sparks a larger conflict between mortals and vengeful deities.

Writing style  

The narrative thrives on high-stakes drama and rapid pacing, with dramatic declarations: “HE BEARS THE EYES OF A WARRIOR!” (because apparently, regular eyes just won’t do). While grammatical errors plague the writing, the dialogue remains grandiose, fitting the mythic tone. 

Some transitions between scenes (e.g., time jumps) feel abrupt, but the core themes of destiny and defiance hit hard..   

Art and animation  

Joseph N.G.’s art is the real MVP. The dynamic fight sequences and striking character designs (Ejiofor’s glowing warrior marks basically scream “I’m the main character”) amplify the story’s intensity. 

The color palette shifts from ethereal golds (heavenly realms) to earthy tones (Igbo land), visually anchoring the clash between divine and mortal worlds. Some panels suffer from cluttered text, but the kinetic energy makes up for it.  

Themes  

The comic explores:  

• Destiny vs. Free Will: Ejiofor’s path is foretold, but his choices define his reign.  
• Cultural Hybridity: Amadioha (an Igbo deity) bridges African spirituality and angelic lore, embodying the concept of a fallen angel.  
• Power and Sacrifice: Ejiofor’s strength isolates him, echoing classic hero tropes.  

Thoughts

The story incorporates strong elements of Igbo culture, featuring adaptations of real places such as Mbaise and Olukoro. 

There’s also a clever reference to Brad Pitt’s Troy, where Ejiofor is to represent his kingdom in a one vs. one battle of champions, but is temporarily absent from the battlefield. 

While the flawed writing may put off literary purists, the comic’s action-packed graphical imagery will appeal to most readers. 

Verdict

EJIOFOR delivers a visually arresting and ambitious start, though it occasionally buckles under its mythic scale. Fans of God of War or Sango (the Yoruba god of thunder) will eat up its action and cultural flair. 

With tighter pacing, more profound lore, and fresher writing, Ejiofor: The Warrior King could become a landmark African fantasy series.  

Ejiofor: The Warrior King (Vol. 1 and Vol. 2) are available to read on the SMComics mobile app.