Laing, Addae, Carter, and Wakefield are depicted not just as athletes, but as heroes in their own right, mythic figures ready to face whatever comes their way through this comic book take.
There’s courage in stepping onto the field, in carrying legacy, in performing under pressure. Andy wanted to translate that energy visually. The composition leans into motion and impact, with kinetic bursts of Pan-African colours (greens, reds and yellow) scattered as tiny dots across the frame. Those fragments build and crescendo into a fist exploding with energy at the center, symbolizing unity, resilience, and collective strength.
Drawing inspiration from the splash pages in superhero comics, artist Andy Akangah is a Benin-Ghanaian-Canadian self-taught illustrator and creative director based in Ottawa and Toronto.
“Black History Month projects always feel personal to me. My work is all about reimagining superheroes across pop culture, music, and sport. Bringing that lens to this commission was both an honour and a celebration – of history, of representation, and of the everyday heroism we witness in the game.”
About the artist
Andy Akangah is a Benin-Ghanaian-Canadian self-taught illustrator and creative director based in Ottawa and Toronto. He is the founder and CEO of AKARTS Comics, a hip-hop inspired art brand that merges the visual languages of comic books and anime, exploring themes of identity, nostalgia, and Black cultural expression through bold, character-driven compositions.
Akangah’s practice spans digital illustration, apparel design, comic-driven storytelling, and large-scale installations. His work has garnered attention from global institutions and brands with clients like Red Bull, the NBA, Microsoft, Complex and has been recognized by celebrities such as Timoth?e Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan and The Weeknd. Akangah’s work has been featured on national television (CBC, CTV) and public platforms like the National Arts Centre’s Kipnes Lantern.
