Supa Strikas Comic Issue 1 ((exclusive))
Issue #1 changed that. For the first time, a comic showed black and brown heroes as tactical geniuses, not sidekicks. The dialogue used local slang—"Eish!" "Yebo!" "Ayyy!"—making readers feel seen. Furthermore, the comic cleverly wove in moral lessons: Don't cheat. Share the ball. Respect your coach.
Readers were introduced to the core squad, including: Dancing Rasta: The zen-like Jamaican captain. Big Bo: The massive, dependable goalkeeper. Cool Joe: The 70s-obsessed winger. El Matador: The flamboyant and vain Spanish striker. Innovation in Distribution
Shakes, a young, talented striker from Soweto, determined to follow in the footsteps of his father, Jomo. supa strikas comic issue 1
The title "Supa Strikas" explodes across the top in a custom, jagged font that mimics the spikes on the players’ boots. Notably, the logo includes a small soccer ball as the dot on the "i." This cover design set the template for the next two decades: action-packed, colorful, and unapologetically over-the-top.
Supa Strikas Comic Issue #1 is not the most polished comic ever made. The dialogue is sometimes cheesy. The plot is predictable. The anatomy of the players is wildly inconsistent (arms that are too long, necks that disappear). Issue #1 changed that
(Rating: 7/10)
In the pantheon of global sports entertainment for youth, few franchises have kicked a goal as spectacularly as Supa Strikas . Before the slick 3D animation, the global television deals, and the merchandise that lined shelves from Johannesburg to Jakarta, there was the printed page. For collectors and long-time fans, is not just a booklet; it is the genesis of a phenomenon. Furthermore, the comic cleverly wove in moral lessons:
The cover of Supa Strikas Issue #1 is iconic in its simplicity. It features a dynamic, high-contrast illustration of the team’s star striker, Shakes, mid-bicycle kick. The background is a blazing sunset over a packed stadium, with the silhouette of the opposing goalkeeper frozen in despair.
If you cannot afford a physical copy of the original Issue #1, do not despair. In 2018, as part of a major digital push (including the Netflix animated series Supa Strikas ), the publishers released a fully remastered digital version of Issue #1.
Before we turn the first page, it’s important to address the elephant in the room: finding an original physical copy of Supa Strikas Issue #1 today is akin to searching for a golden ticket. Unlike Marvel or DC comics, which had massive print runs in North America, Supa Strikas initially operated on a smaller scale, primarily distributed across South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya via supermarket shelves and corner cafes.
The issue introduces the fictional world of the , an elite, mysterious club team made up of the best players from around the globe. The protagonist is Shakes (nickname for his deceptive dribbling), a talented but raw young winger invited to try out for the team.