A TikTok reviewer stopped at an overlooked Anime NYC booth; his video drew 1 million likes, gave indie creator Dare 25,000 followers and sold out his comics overnight
A TikTok reviewer who makes a habit of stopping at comic convention booths that attract little attention ended up giving an indie comic creator a major boost after visiting his stall at Anime NYC. The reviewer, known online as @slow_comics, posted a video about Dare and his comics, and the video went viral with one million likes. The exposure brought about 25,000 new followers to Dare’s creator account and helped him sell out his available copies almost overnight.@slow_comics has built a following of about 40,000 on TikTok through his own comic series and his convention visits where he looks for booths that other visitors appear to be overlooking, Good News Network reported. That led him to Dare, an American of Nigerian heritage who was publishing and illustrating an independent comic inspired by his Yoruba heritage.The main comic, “Ori: Holder of the Heads”, follows a world where people can speak to their ancestors and ask them for advice. However, the story takes a darker turn when the ancestors begin attacking people. The main characters then try to understand what has happened and why the attacks have started.The reviewer was particularly taken by the comic’s artwork, colours and use of African cloth patterns in the backgrounds and textures. He also praised the story concept and another comic by Dare called “Etch”. Unlike a conventional comic, “Etch” can be read in both directions, with each reading direction presenting a different perspective in an argument between two strange creatures.
TikTok video brings a surge of interest
@slow_comics posted about the comics after buying them at Anime NYC. In his video, he described himself as “ecstatic” about the purchase and said he was excited to read the books. The video attracted one million likes and quickly sent new viewers towards Dare’s creator account.The response had a direct effect on Dare’s sales. About 25,000 people followed his account after the video went viral, and they began buying the remaining copies of “Ori”. The limited presale was also sold out.The demand became so high that Dare had to call on his brother, Joshua, to help bring more physical copies from Pennsylvania to New York. Those copies were also sold out.In a follow-up video, Dare thanked the community for the support and explained how interested readers and collectors could get the next editions of his comics.The reviewer later posted another video confirming the popularity of the comics. “I can confirm that Etch and Ori are just as good as you think they’re going to be,” @slow_comics said. “Due to the virality of the video, he sold out basically overnight.”
Comics draw on Yoruba heritage
Dare’s work is rooted in his Nigerian heritage, with “Ori: Holder of the Heads” using that cultural background as part of its story and visual style. The comic centres on characters trying to understand their relationship with ancestors after those ancestors begin attacking people.The reviewer highlighted the use of African cloth patterns in the backgrounds and textures of the comic. He also pointed to the details in the artwork, including the way textures were used in elements such as tree bark.“Etch” takes a different approach. It can be read from left to right or right to left, and the direction changes the perspective of an argument between two creatures. The story also includes a “trickster” character, an element the reviewer said was among his favourite parts of the comic.The creator and his comics were next scheduled to appear at the Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland, on September 12 and 13. Dare is also scheduled to take part in the Uhuru Book Fair at Clark Park in Philadelphia the following weekend.
