Children of Captain Africa: The Rise of Africa’s Own Heroes

Long before Marvel and DC dominated our screens, there was a little-known hero born in Ghana — Captain Africa. He wasn’t a billionaire, an alien, or a mutant. He was simply a man with courage, created in the 1980s by Ghanaian artist Andy Akman.

Fast forward to 2025, and the spirit of Captain Africa has found new life in the documentary Children of Captain Africa. The film journeys across the continent, meeting the new generation of African storytellers redefining what it means to be a hero.

Africa’s Superhero Renaissance

From Lagos to Cape Town the documentary introduces us to creators who fuse myth, modern life, and social struggle into vivid universes of power and purpose. You’ll meet Jide Martin (Nigeria), Omphile & Phemelo Dibodu (South Africa), and other storytellers who are crafting birds-of-prey for their communities.

Each story bursts with imagination and pride, proof that Africa’s heroes don’t need to wear imported capes. They already walk among us.

Beyond Capes and Superpowers

What makes Children of Captain Africa stand out is the heart. These creators aren’t just drawing superheroes; they’re sketching new identities. Their heroes fight for issues that matter here: community, justice, survival, hope. The film becomes a mirror reflecting how Africans see themselves and the world they’re building.

A Cultural Reboot

For decades, global pop culture defined hero-mythologies for us. Now, African artists are flipping the script. Through ink, animation, and storytelling, they’re reclaiming space in the global imagination and inspiring a generation of kids who finally see themselves saving the world. Children of Captain Africa isn’t just a documentary. It’s a movement. One that says Africa’s stories, too, can leap across pages and screens, wearing pride as their true superpower.

Where to Watch

The 53-minute documentary premiered on TNT Africa on 27 October 2025 at 19:20 CAT (available in many African territories via DStv Channel 137 and GOtv Channel 52). It is also listed as available on MAX (formerly HBO Max) in some regions.