This week, we spotlight Ayodele Elegba, Founder / CEO of SPOOF! Animation (Nigeria), in our exclusive series showcasing top African creators in comic books, graphic novels, and animation. He and his team have been making some serious inroads into the African animation scene and we discovered they had interesting comic book titles as well!
James (CBM): Can you please share more about yourself and your studio?
Ayodele: SPOOF! Animation is an African animation company established in 2016. We are known for our amazing African animated stories and cool fight sequences. Over the years, we have been able to transform from being just an illustration company to 2D animation and 3D animation. Spoof Animation started as a team of four young creatives who had an idea to change the animation industry in Africa. Our first animated short won at DISCOP France in 2017, and we've received many other awards of excellence for the quality animation we produce.
Seven years down the line, SPOOF! has grown into a 30-person in-house team with two offices in Lagos and has worked with clients from all over the world, including Nigeria, Canada, the USA, Korea, France, South Africa, and Ethiopia.
James (CBM): Tell us more about this short film and the next steps you envision for this story. Where can we see it?
Ayodele: Ajaka Lost in Rome is an epic historical action-packed drama that follows the extraordinary life of King Ajaka, the dethroned ruler of Oyo, and his arduous journey from exile to the gladiator pits of ancient Rome.
The story begins with the rivalry between Ajaka and Sango, the god of thunder, which leads to Ajaka's dethronement and subsequent exile. Betrayed by the very chiefs he had trusted, Ajaka finds himself sold as a slave by the citizens of Dahomey through a sea port. Lost and disoriented, he is transported to the ancient city of Rome, where he is thrust into the ruthless world of gladiators.
In Rome, Ajaka's remarkable strength and skill in combat catch the attention of the masses, including the Caesar's daughter, a compassionate and independent woman. Their unlikely connection grows as she becomes intrigued by his valiant victories in the gladiator competitions. Meanwhile, Dominus, Ajaka's slave master and owner of the Gladiator Company, recognizes the potential power Ajaka holds and pressures him to assassinate the Caesar in exchange for his freedom.
You can explore the captivating world of Ajaka Lost in Rome here:
We are also actively seeking distributors, broadcasters, and co-producers to transform this tale into an enthralling series.
James (CBM): What was your inspiration and motivation behind creating this new animated short film and also creating comic books/graphic novels?
Ayodele: The inspiration behind Ajaka Lost in Rome stems from my desire to narrate a compelling story about Africa and its rich cultural heritage. My intention was to shed light on the spiritual beliefs of our ancestors and the remarkable strength of Africans before the era of colonial rule. While the figure of Sango has always held a certain fascination for me, I aimed to explore a narrative that went beyond a traditional Sango tale. It was during my research that I uncovered the captivating love-hate relationship between Ajaka and Sango, and this discovery fueled my decision to focus on their dynamic.
I found the narrative particularly well-suited for animation, a medium that allows for the vivid depiction of power and action. Through animation, we could vividly portray the magnificence of Sango's abilities and the expansive landscapes of the Oyo Empire during that era. This realization served as a catalyst for me to write the story.
Furthermore, I aspired to create a narrative with universal appeal, one that could resonate with audiences worldwide. The Yoruba dynasty, with its rich history and enduring cultural significance, emerged as a narrative that possesses the potential to transcend cultural boundaries and captivate a global audience. In Ajaka Lost in Rome, I endeavored to weave together the threads of history, mythology, and universal themes, resulting in a story that speaks to the power of Africa's heritage and its resonance across the world.
James (CBM): What is your overall vision as a creator?
Ayodele: My vision as a creator is to serve as an inspiration to others by crafting narratives that resonate with a broad audience while simultaneously shedding light on the rich cultural tapestry of Africa, particularly the Yoruba culture. I aim to illuminate the magnificence of African heritage, showcasing the eminence of our historical kings and queens. In the long run, my vision is to develop a television series capable of being relished across various platforms, including prominent streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon, and Disney, among others.
My aspiration is to propel African animation into mainstream media, thereby elevating our presence on the global stage. By accomplishing this, we can foster greater understanding and appreciation for the diversity and brilliance of African culture, ensuring it takes its rightful place in the world's cultural mosaic.
James (CBM): What comic books, writers, animations, and artists were your favorites growing up, and who were your inspirations?
Ayodele: Some of my preferred comic books are Spider-Man, Spawn, Blue Beetle, and Batman, among others. Growing up, I was influenced by some of the esteemed artists and writers in the creative industry such as Stan Lee, Grant Morrison, Todd McFarlane, and John Romita Jr. These iconic figures in the industry played a significant role in shaping my appreciation for the art form, and their work continues to be a source of inspiration for me.
James (CBM): Are there any core members of your team you'd like to introduce?
Ayodele: The core members of my team include:
MOMODU COLLINS: A 2D traditional animator with 7 years of experience, a storyboard artist who has worked on animated films and shows for studios in Korea, the UK, Spain, and Nigeria, and an animation director on Hero Corp and Ajaka Lost in Rome short film.
BODE JOSEPH GODBRANDD: An animation director, 2D animator, and storyboard artist at Spoof Animation. A professional digital artist for over 6 years now, he has proved his exceptional animating talent in top projects for Spoof Animation like Hero Corp, Ajaka Lost in Rome, Area Daddy, among many others.
OSAS AKUGBE: An accomplished environment artist specialized in designing layouts and painting animation backgrounds. With over 7 years in the industry, Osas has honed his skills and become a critical part of numerous successful projects like Ajaka Lost in Rome short film, Hero Corps, and many more. He is currently the Creative Director at SPOOF! Animation.
James (CBM): Tell us more about the different titles planned for both animation and comic book releases and what they are about.
Ayodele: Spoof has a wide array of comic books, most of which are being translated into animations and live-action adaptations. We have comic books like:
JINX: An introverted and solitary individual with a deep connection to the supernatural, possessing the extraordinary ability to open inter-dimensional portals.
BOXSA: The heroic figure of his impoverished neighborhood, driven by a deep sense of justice and a desire to bring peace to his community.
STRIKEGUARD: An ordinary 24-year-old living in Lagos who encounters the legendary Ajagbeja, an ancient warrior from Yoruba mythology.
VANTAGE: A wealthy tech billionaire driven by a personal tragedy who creates an advanced technological suit granting extraordinary abilities.
We're also working on titles that are not mainstream superhero stories, like BLOOD WARS, among many more. The goal is to have a transmedia-type intellectual.
James (CBM): Tell us more about your other popular animated short films you have made recently.
Ayodele: As you know I run SPOOF! Animation and apart from AJAKA LOST IN ROME we have a couple of other projects we are working on. Some proof of concepts and others short films. One of the short films we are working on is the 3D animated short titled UNIQUELY ME. It’s a story of a teenager who finds it difficult to make the girl she is in love with fall in love with him. It’s a story about identity and confidence and will be released next year February at the RENDACON ANIMATION film festival. You can watch our UNIQUELY ME Trailer here:
James (CBM): And since our readers love superhero animated films and series, let’s talk more about what are your priorities for these titles you have.
Ayodele: Currently one of our superhero comic titles is in development for a series. We just concluded the final draft for six episodes Mini series and we are in talks with a broadcaster to begin principal photography in 2024. I will also be relaunching all my comic book IP next so people can get to read the comic before the series is released. Check out also our HERO CORPS ANIMATION SHORT made in 2018 as a little showcase of our universe:
(or to see in Spoof!'s YouTube Channel - CLICK HERE)
Readers can view more about SPOOF! Animation at their Linktree - CLICK HERE including the Hero Corp Game on Google Play, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn social media links to follow / subscribe.