Our Land (Vol. 1-7) by Otoki Samuel

Overall, Our Land succeeds in balancing humour, nostalgia, and Afro-fantasy. It entertains and reclaims local mythology in a modern, animated form.

Our Land by Otoki Samuel is a comic wherein the transition from memory to myth is smooth, setting the stage for a modern supernatural conflict.

Synopsis

Our Land is a Nigerian mythology story where a teenager acquires the powers of an Orisha and is subsequently pulled into a world where juju, Ifa priests, and vessels of divinity like him exist in a secret realm apart from the normal, human world.

From encountering strange beings who take human souls away to other demigod members of mystical fraternities, our hero, Ebube, must come to terms with his powers and find a place for himself in the world of the supernatural. 

Writing style

The speech bubbles are a mix of standard English, Nigerian Pidgin, and local dialects. While the Yoruba language is heavily featured in the dialogue, there are helpful translations in places that help non-native readers.

This localization adds authenticity and character to each region, and it’s backed visually by the setting illustrations.

While the dialogue isn’t the most consistent, the vivid imagery makes Our Land excellent for fans of paranormal stories that leverage African myth and ethereal dimensions. 

Art and animation

The comic panels offer a fascinating blend of digital art, cultural nostalgia, and mythic storytelling, and the visual style plays a big role in how the story hits emotionally.

The comic’s use of black-and-white with high contrast and selective shading brings a dramatic, almost noir-like atmosphere. This works well, especially for the flashback or folklore discussions (e.g., Madam Koi Koi, blood-drinking tales), enhancing the eerie, haunting vibe of the urban legends. 

It feels like you’re peeking into a memory or a campfire tale told under flickering torchlight.

Themes

Here are some of the themes explored in Our Land:

Naming system

The allegorical naming system lends a comic twist to what is otherwise a gripping story, with symbolic names such as Mr. Eniyan Buburu, Altar Call University.

It explores the shenanigans of students in a typical Nigerian university male hostel, in both English and pidgin English.

The use of a burning cowry as the turning point catalyst in our hero’s transportation into the nether realms is interesting to see. At the same time, the incorporation of paranormal elements lends a mystical thrill to events, which, coupled with an appropriate gothic-feel animation, provides the right amount of chill for readers. 

Magic and mythology

Although there’s a bit of a disconnect between the apparent Igbo main character and Yoruba mythology and gods, the introduction of characters like Ireti (Marine Kingdom Princess), Oladele (Blind Ifa Priest), and Nanyam (Martial Artist) ensures the continuity of intrigue. 

The magic system is well-described, with there being three levels of juju (offensive, defensive, and healing).

Thoughts

The artistic choice to juxtapose real-life urban legends (Madam Koi Koi, blood-sucking witches) with modern mystical warriors like Kaseko shows the creators are blending Nigerian folklore, street culture, and action fantasy into one shared universe.

This comic is a witty, nostalgic dive into Nigerian urban legends and supernatural folklore, masterfully told through casual dialogue and stylized black-and-white panels. 

Verdict

Overall, Our Land succeeds in balancing humour, nostalgia, and Afro-fantasy. It entertains and reclaims local mythology in a modern, animated form. This kind of storytelling resonates with a generation caught between the oral traditions of the past and the visual narratives of the present..

Our Land (Vol. 1 – Vol. 7) is available to read on the SMComics mobile app.