Creating the first black superhero in Scotland
Etienne Kubwabo is a DJ and filmmaker from Glasgow who immigrated to Scotland from the Democratic Republic of the Congo ten years ago. Etienne discusses how he became a filmmaker and how he drew inspiration from comic books to develop Scotland's first black superhero.
A city on Earth beset by crime, a planet invaded by robots that are wreaking havoc, and one remarkable guy with the courage to save them all.
Beats of War pays tribute to the two nations that DJ E.T's creator considers home while telling the tale of Scotland's first black comic book superhero.
Filmmaker and DJ Etienne Kubwabo began writing the comic in 2018 – seven years after moving to Glasgow from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He was met in Glasgow by falling snow and taken aback by the high-flying motorways of the city, but admits to struggling to find his place in his new home
“I didn’t understand how I could deal with that. Eventually I created a comic book so I could escape from it.”
Beats of War sees DJ E.T take on the razor gangs and features references to Scotland and African culture, including real landmarks from both Glasgow and Congo. The Queen Elizabeth hospital, Glasgow University, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Bridgton Cross all feature in the first few issues.
The 3 comics have sold more than 15,000 copies since it launched last year and has seen Etienne host workshops in school classrooms around the country.
The DJ and director has recently announced the series finale in issue as well as his upcoming feature film, “The Difference Between Us” .
Etienne recalled his lifelong love of superheroes, but didn’t feel represented in the pages of Marvel and DC.
“I grew up watching Spiderman and Superman, but they didn’t look like me,” he said. “I wanted to inspire other kids who could see themselves in this character.
“I feel like I’ve helped kids of colour around the world who don’t feel represented.
“This has been my way of giving back. I wanted to help young people look at the world differently and maybe they can even create their own superheroes.”
Etienne said he wanted to capture all facets of Glasgow, from its architecture to its gangland history, in Beats of War.
More than a decade since he arrived as a refugee, he said the city was a great place to start a new life.
“You’ll meet some people who think you don’t belong in this country, but you’ll get that anywhere around the world,” he said.
“The good thing is that ‘people make Glasgow’. If you’re stranded at a bus stop, an old lady will point you in the right direction.
“People are lovely and welcoming here. It’s a melting pot of different cultures.”
Etienne Kubwabo is a DJ and filmmaker from Glasgow who immigrated to Scotland from the Democratic Republic of the Congo ten years ago. Etienne discusses how he became a filmmaker and how he drew inspiration from comic books to develop Scotland's first black superhero.
A city on Earth beset by crime, a planet invaded by robots that are wreaking havoc, and one remarkable guy with the courage to save them all.
Beats of War pays tribute to the two nations that DJ E.T's creator considers home while telling the tale of Scotland's first black comic book superhero.
Filmmaker and DJ Etienne Kubwabo began writing the comic in 2018 – seven years after moving to Glasgow from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He was met in Glasgow by falling snow and taken aback by the high-flying motorways of the city, but admits to struggling to find his place in his new home
“I didn’t understand how I could deal with that. Eventually I created a comic book so I could escape from it.”
Beats of War sees DJ E.T take on the razor gangs and features references to Scotland and African culture, including real landmarks from both Glasgow and Congo. The Queen Elizabeth hospital, Glasgow University, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Bridgton Cross all feature in the first few issues.
The 3 comics have sold more than 15,000 copies since it launched last year and has seen Etienne host workshops in school classrooms around the country.
The DJ and director has recently announced the series finale in issue as well as his upcoming feature film, “The Difference Between Us” .
Etienne recalled his lifelong love of superheroes, but didn’t feel represented in the pages of Marvel and DC.
“I grew up watching Spiderman and Superman, but they didn’t look like me,” he said. “I wanted to inspire other kids who could see themselves in this character.
“I feel like I’ve helped kids of colour around the world who don’t feel represented.
“This has been my way of giving back. I wanted to help young people look at the world differently and maybe they can even create their own superheroes.”
Etienne said he wanted to capture all facets of Glasgow, from its architecture to its gangland history, in Beats of War.
More than a decade since he arrived as a refugee, he said the city was a great place to start a new life.
“You’ll meet some people who think you don’t belong in this country, but you’ll get that anywhere around the world,” he said.
“The good thing is that ‘people make Glasgow’. If you’re stranded at a bus stop, an old lady will point you in the right direction.
“People are lovely and welcoming here. It’s a melting pot of different cultures.”
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Creativity