This article was originally published in the Sep. 2024 issue of The Clarion.
Near midnight in Greece a shadow slinks across a rooftop. Between stretches of cloud, a figure is etched out of the dark: a purple and black bodysuit, the hint of a blade limned over one shoulder. No, it’s not a time traveling warrior lost in modern Europe. Its none other than MI6 agent Colin King and that scene from June 2024’s “Ninjak vs Roku #1” marked his return to relevancy after years in comic book limbo. For the man that penned the character’s comeback tour, however, it means so much more.
AJ Ampadu grew up reading comics, golden age Valiant included. No conversation about his first mainstream comic would be complete without a look at the history that led him here. Ampadu was more than happy to share.
“I grew up on three things: football, Hip-Hop, and comic books. And, growing up on the Eastside of Buffalo its cold a lot, snows a lot, is the kind of environment where there are a lot of negative influences for young black men. So I had to kind of bury myself into being a nerd to find myself,” he said.
The link between Hip-Hop and comic books may surprise those not in the know. But anyone familiar with the Wu Tang Clan, Kid Cudi, or 90s spiderman can tell you the link is strong. It certainly was for Ampadu.
Ampadu grew up in Buffalo. His early life experiences would fuel his love for comics, football, and hip-hop. Photo Provided by: AJ Ampadu
“I always knew I wanted to be a writer but never knew what type of writer I wanted to be. Eventually, I got into music, became a Hip-Hop artist, started rapping and making beats. I moved to New York City, started doing a lot of shows, and expressing myself creatively through music. I released an album that had a comic book accompaniment with it and I never left comic books alone.”
His extensive career would lead him to journalism and screenwriting. With time he would give creating comics a shot. The 2000s were an exciting time for the industry, he explains, with independent creators coming out the wazoo. It was time, he thought, to give the industry a try and see where it might take him.
“I was able to learn a lot about the comic book business and myself as a writer as well as the skills required to write comics. I merged that into a couple of graphic novels I’d written, had art teams, and learned how to print. From soup to nuts I learned everything I could about the comic book creation process.”
Soon he was putting out his own work and, like many creatives, decided to kickstart them. His first two, a space cowboy comic for all ages called “Kimi Kosmic” and the horror epic “Dragonface”, were overfunded. That would catch the attention of one of Valiant’s editors.
A space cowboy comic for all-ages, Kimi Kosmic and other independent works helped Ampadu gain the attention of major players in the comic book industry. Photo Credit: EarthTone Kingdom
Fast forward a few years later and Ampadu is living every comic-lovers dream. He has his own independent imprint, EarthTone Kingdom, where readers continue to fall in love with his creations. Just as significant is his work with Valiant, where he is now writing characters so many of us grew up with.
“Starting out with my own independent comics I didn’t think I’d be writing in the mainstream. To be able to do that with a character I read as a kid is a full-circle moment for me as a creator,” he said.
Ampadu’s work is part of Valiant’s aptly named Road to Resurgence. Fans like myself remember the Valiant of 2012, where creative teams featuring prominent figures like Robert Venditti and Matt Kindt worked wonders on the brand. A rough patch followed but now that Valiant is under Alien Books a turnaround has definitely begun. Lysa Hawkins, an eagle-eyed Editor familiar with his independent work, would bring Ampadu in.
“She mentioned Ninjak and I told them they didn’t need to tell me twice. I’m such a huge fan of the character and jumped at the chance to do it,” he said.
Ninjak’s return to the comic limelight has taken readers on a thrilling ride. Photo Credit: Alien Books
“We’re not calling it a reboot. However, because there was a lapse in publishing as the company was acquired by Alien Books, we are referring to it as a resurgence. It’s kind of like your car stalled on the freeway and we just got it moving again. Its still the same car but we had to use the jumper cables on it. So we’re bringing back a lot of the storylines fans of the Kindt/Venditti-era of Valiant are familiar with.”
That brings with it a predicable high amount of pressure. Ampadu tries not to think about it, knowing while he stands on the shoulder of giants the best he can do is to simply do the best he can.
“It’s like you just got signed as a rookie by the Chicago Bulls. Do you feel pressure to play like Jordan? No, I feel pressure to play as best I can. I’m very, very new to this industry so I’ve got to take what God gave me, take these baby steps and at least make sure everything I do is consistent,” Ampadu said.
As a fan of the very characters he’s writing it might be tough but the former Hip-Hop artist is staying the course. One thing that helps is inspiration.
“I just need life surrounding me, nature is super inspirational to me,” he said about his home.
Plants, trees, flowing water, and a recent trip to Alaska all have positive effects on the writer’s creative process. Music is a big one too.
“When I say I have music playing 24/7 in my house I literally have music playing all the time,” Ampadu said. “While writing I listen mostly to Deephouse, Jazz, Amapiano, Afrobeat or some psychedelic rock. Those are genres I find great for inspiring creativity.”
As a kinetic thinker, Ampadu believes moving is one of creative hack that helps him immeasurably.
“I never really suffer from writer’s block but I’ve noticed if I ever get stuck it helps to just take a walk. Riding a train is also great. Just move around, move away from your desk, get yourself in motion and see if that works,” Ampadu said.
The future is bright for Ampadu. EarthTone Kingdom will next be publish the novel Humans, a YA title Ampadu co-produced. “Kimi Kosmic” and “Dragonface” will soon return as well. His afro-futuristic comic “DroneSlayerX” is also concluding with a second chapter.
Just as thrilling is the work he has lined up with Valiant. He’s a co-writer on Resurgence, Valiant’s major cross-over event that saw its first issue hit store shelves Sep. 18. That will be followed in October by two other titles, the miniseries “Shadowman: Souleaters”, and “Shadowman & Punk Mambo: Tales from the Deadside”.
Ampadu made history as the first black man to write a Shadowman comic. Photo Credit: Alien Books
“You’re going to really want to read both of those,” he said. “I really think Tales form the Deathside is the best thing I’ve written for Valiant so far. There is some deep dark fantasy, horror, and African mythology is mixed in there.”
Ampadu knows just how fickle success can be and doesn’t take his achievements for granted. He understands just how lucky and blessed his journey has been and is keen to see it continue as long as it can.
“I’m excited. It’s a good time for me to be a creative because I get to work in the Valiant playground do my own stuff on the side,” he said. “I want to just keep doing what I’m doing. If 10 years from now I’m still writing comics I’ll be extremely happy.”
The comic creator knows the industry can be a gamble. But my money is on him carving out a long-lasting career. Having read his work and heard just how passionate he is, I can honestly say Ampadu is a safe bet.
Ismael David Mujahid, Executive Editor