As I was reading PREVIEWS a few months ago, I saw the cover for the second trade paperback of this title. I was so drawn by the cover art that I decided to buy volumes 1 and 2 to give it a shot. The description seemed interesting enough so I figured it would be worth it.  I was right.

Wale Williams is a young African man estranged from his father, returns home to Lagoon City, Nigeria in 2025. Wale discovers that his father is missing upon his return. Wale also realizes that the poorest areas of the region, mostly along the outskirts, are beleaguered by a mysterious man known as Oniku and his C.R.EE.E.D. organization. Upon arriving at his dad’s home, he finds an encrypted message on his computer from his father, alluding to his own demise as well as instructing him to go to his home lab, where a sentient computer system and exosuit await him.

E.X.O. stands for Endogenic Xoskeletal Ordnance and is what gives Wale superhuman abilities.

With the suit and the newfound tech, Wale must defend his home, protect his family, search for his father and protect Lagoon City. There are awkward moments of him trying to figure out how to use the suit, even though the computer is telling him how to do things.  It’s a lot like what you would have expected to have happened when Cyborg was first learning how to interface with all of his new tech appendages.

When Timi, Wale‘s younger brother, gets hurt, Wale’s frustration is further inflamed by his need for revenge and he jumps into situations blindly just to exact retribution upon Oniku. Zahra, his former girl friend, seems to be the only one who can talk sense to him when he needs it. Although, at times, it seems, even that isn’t enough.

Wale knows he must confront Oniku otherwise he will destroy Lagoon City, but unbeknownst to Wale, Oniku is more concerned with Wale than the city itself. Layer that with a mysterious female warrior, Fury, who seems to know more about Oniku’s plans, Wale’s tech, his father’s disappearance and why PRYTECH weapons are involved.

E.X.O. The Legend of Wale Williams is a fantastic comic with positive images of a young Black man and modern Africa that is relatable on many levels. Both trades are worth picking up, although you’ll have to special order them most likely. Roye Okupe delivered an African superhero unlike anything we’d ever seen before. There are more characters to come from this creator at YouNeek Studios. I’m looking forward to more.