Montreal: Why His Comic Books Are Resonating with the Afro-Descendant Community

International Table Festival: Dominique Brings African Comic Books to Life Through Lingala

Transforming comic books into a tool for cultural transmission while telling universal stories. That is the challenge embraced by Dominique, a comic book writer who came to present his work at the International Table Festival. Through his creations, he highlights original stories inspired by his imagination while promoting the Lingala language to audiences from all backgrounds.

As the writer behind his comic books, Dominique collaborates with an Argentine illustrator to bring his stories to life. Three works were showcased during the event: Mupaya, Bolingo, and Masanga.

“Mupaya, in Lingala, means foreigner or visitor. The story follows a girl searching for her friend, traveling through different worlds in an attempt to find her,” he explains.

The second work, Bolingo, means “love” in Lingala and explores a family relationship marked by betrayal and forgiveness.

“It tells the story of the relationship between a father and his son, where the father betrays his son but eventually needs his help,” the author summarizes.

Finally, Masanga, which means “alcohol” or “drink,” follows a journalist investigating a mysterious beer that makes people sick.

Beyond the plots themselves, Dominique aims to introduce audiences to part of Africa's linguistic heritage through the titles of his works.

“I wanted people to learn Lingala as well. Bolingo means love. With every reading, people learn at least one new word in Lingala,” he emphasizes.

While the titles are in Lingala, the stories are available in French or English to reach a broader audience.

A Project That Crosses Cultural Boundaries

The author says he has been pleasantly surprised by the reception his comic books have received. According to him, his work resonates with readers from diverse backgrounds.

“It really speaks to everyone. I was genuinely surprised by that. Whether they are White, Asian, or from other communities, people are drawn to the beauty of the artwork and the story,” he says.

A regular at flea markets, particularly in Saint-Léonard, as well as in Quebec City and Gatineau, Dominique explains that these venues allowed him to gradually introduce his work before being invited to various festivals.

His comic book journey began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he published exclusively in digital format. As public demand increased, he eventually decided to print his works in paperback about two years ago.

The Challenges of an Independent Creator

Like many Afro-descendant cultural entrepreneurs, Dominique acknowledges that visibility remains one of the greatest challenges in his work.

According to him, opportunities to exhibit his creations are plentiful during the summer thanks to festivals, but become much more limited throughout the winter.

Flea markets therefore remain essential spaces for him to continue showcasing and selling his work year-round.

From Comic Books to Animation

The author has no intention of stopping at printed comics. He is now working on adapting his stories into animated productions to reach an even wider audience.

His first animated episode, titled The Serial Sapper, is directly inspired by a comic book he wrote.

“It tells the story of someone who dreamed of becoming a star but, after being betrayed by his mentor, takes a much darker path,” he explains.

This new step represents a significant evolution of his creative universe, now expanding across both publishing and animation.

“You Have to Get Started”

When asked what message he would give to Afro-descendants who are still hesitating to launch their own projects, Dominique insists on the importance of taking action.

“You have to move forward. No matter the difficulties, you have to do it. First of all, you have to do it for yourself. The opportunities come afterward.”

The author recalls that his own journey began with a simple initiative.

“At the beginning, I was simply selling my comic books at the flea market. That's where I met the organizer of this festival. After that, he invited me to one festival, then another. It all started from one simple action. Don't overthink it. At the very least, you have to get started.”

Through his comic books, Dominique demonstrates that it is possible to combine creativity, the promotion of African languages, and cultural entrepreneurship. His journey also illustrates how a personal initiative, supported by perseverance, can gradually find its place within Quebec's cultural ecosystem while inspiring a new generation of creators.