Zurri Sana A Radical Shift in Sci-Fi Comics
In the vast universe of comic books, the narrative surrounding women protagonists often follows a predictable pattern: young, invincible, and often relegated to side roles as they age. But Zurri Sana, a dynamic new graphic story in a webcomic format, created by Yvonne Wandera, flips that stereotype on its head. The action-filled comic follows Zurri, a mid-30s Black female smuggler in a dystopian world where body parts are traded as commodities. Zurri’s mission to deliver a pair of limbs before sunset is more than just a high-stakes action adventure; it’s a story that dives deep into themes of survival, loneliness, and body dysmorphia.
Photo Courtesy: Benjamin Oliver
A New Era of Female Protagonists in Sci-Fi
For many years, the world of comics has struggled to create female protagonists that break free from the cycle of eternal youth. Women in their 30s, especially speculative fiction, have been underrepresented or often depicted as side characters or mothers. This erasure of women over 30 is a persistent problem in both mainstream comics, graphic novels and pop culture. Yvonne Wandera’s Zurri Sana is a radical counterpoint to this trend, introducing a flawed, reckless, and multifaceted heroine within an action packed journey, speaks to the complexities of life in your 30s.
As Wandera explains, “Honestly, there’s a point in a woman’s life where she’s looked at like she’s ‘stale’… I felt a roaring fire in me, and I channeled that into an action packed narrative with the dynamic protagonist, Zurri at the center.” Unlike many traditional female heroes, Zurri is not trying to reclaim lost youth. Instead, she is simply trying to navigate the world around her. Embracing her imperfections and flaws as an integral part of her identity, positioning her as a relatable and empowering figure for many readers.
Body Parts for Sale A Dystopian Reflection of Our Present
The concept of limb trading in Zurri Sana may seem fantastical, but the parallel to today’s world is uncanny. In a Middle Eastern underworld, body parts are currency for those seeking survival or the latest surgical enhancements. It’s a scenario that resonates with our modern anxieties about biotech, cosmetic surgery, and even organ trafficking.
Wandera sees this connection clearly. “It sounds like dystopian fiction until you look at today’s biotech startups, the booming cosmetic surgery market, and underground organ trafficking. I wanted to ask: what is your body worth when it’s up for sale?” Through Zurri Sana, Wandera challenges readers to consider the ethical boundaries of body modification and the commodification of human beings. It’s a poignant commentary on the lengths people will go to for self-worth and how society’s obsession with beauty and youth has led to the objectification of the human body.
The Silent Grief of Black Women
Beyond the sci-fi action, Zurri Sana takes a deeper dive into the often-overlooked experiences of Black women, particularly their struggles with aging, loneliness, and the absence of traditional family structures. As Wandera notes, “Loneliness has been called an epidemic, but rarely does pop culture confront it head on within graphic novels.”
Zurri, a character grappling with silent grief, is a symbol of this often-unseen pain. Her action packed journey is one of survival, not just in a physical sense, but emotionally as well. She embodies quiet strength. This theme is central to Zurri Sana, turning what could be a simple sci-fi narrative into an exploration of resilience and identity.
Photo Courtesy: Benjamin Oliver
A Creator’s Multicultural Lens
Yvonne Wandera’s background as a Black woman born in Nairobi and raised in London adds an essential layer of richness to the Zurri Sana world. Wandera’s experiences as a writer, actress, and producer, most notably her role as Lucy in the award-winning video game Detroit: Become Human, inform the depth and complexity of Zurri’s character. “I wanted to create a character that was not only a smuggler but a woman struggling with the same emotional complexities that many of us do in our everyday lives,” Wandera shares.
Her multicultural perspective, combined with her background in the arts, brings a distinctive sensibility to this action comic. With Zurri Sana, Wandera crafts a roaring narrative that resonates with a global audience, blending speculative fiction with emotional storytelling.
A Serialized Future The Webcomic Format
Zurri Sana is being released as an episodic webcomic, offering readers a unique opportunity to follow Zurri’s journey in real time. Every two months, a new episode unveils more about Zurri’s action-filled, dynamic world and her personal struggles, creating a serialized tension that builds on the emotional depth of the story. “I wanted readers to have the chance to get invested in the world and the characters over time,” says Wandera. “It allows for real character development and a deeper connection with the story.”
The graphic novel is presented in a webcomic format, which gives Wandera the freedom to experiment with action sequences, allowing her to explore complex themes and layered character arcs at a slower, more deliberate pace. Readers can engage with Zurri’s world in a way that feels personal and ongoing, creating a sense of anticipation with each new episode.
About Zurri Sana
Zurri Sana is a cutting-edge sci-fi action thriller graphic novel in episodic webcomic format, created by Yvonne Wandera. The comic follows Zurri, a Black female smuggler navigating a dystopian world where body parts are traded for survival and vanity. With themes of aging, loneliness, and body dysmorphia, Zurri Sana presents a radical departure from typical sci-fi narratives by focusing on complex female characters and their personal struggles. The webcomic is currently available at www.zurrisana.com.
Media Contact
Yvonne Wandera
Creator and Writer, Zurri Sana
Email: info@zurrisana.com
Website: www.zurrisana.com
Instagram: @zurriworld