'CONGO - A Forgotten World' is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Henrique Gandum which follows the unexpected and dangerous journey by Portuguese explorers into the unknown Congo region by the end of the XIX century.
Here's the book trailer (developed over the course of 5 months):
DEVELOPMENT:
Developed during the course of over two years, "CONGO - A Forgotten World" is the first volume of a saga which will reveal legends and myths reported by explorers from various countries based on true events.
It'll be available in English, French and Portuguese for purchase on Google Play Books as an e-book and physical copies will be done if highly requested.
SINOPSYS:
'Congo, 1880. A Portuguese expedition to the most unexplored region in central Africa rapidly takes a dark turn. Afonso Ferreira, famous explorer, and his men, stumble upon the impetuous death of one of the group's members. Now deep in the most inhospitable African jungle, the men fight for their lives, while primitive and voracious creatures await them in the shadows...'
Picture of the front cover (in Portuguese):
LEGENDS AND MYTHS
Mokèlé-mbèmbé
Meaning the "one who stops the flow of rivers" in the native Lingala language, Mokèlé-mbèmbé is a cryptid reported to have been sighted in the Congo River during the late 1800s. Multiple expeditions have failed to encounter evidence of the creature which shape resembles a sauropod, like the Loch Ness monster.
New species are being found every year in the vast unexplored Congo forest, including 2007's finding of a smaller, never seen breed of wild elephants witnessed in a National Graphic expedition.
Sketches of Mokèlé-mbèmbé:
There's still no accurate depiction of the creature's look. Size varies in different reports for example, most illustrations resemble the Diplodocus species.
J'ba Fofi
Also know as the Congolese Giant spider, which in the native Baka language literally means "Giant Spider", this cryptid was described as great threat to the natives. Reports say it was so big it could actually eat birds, and also human babies. It is said that the natives eventually extinguished all spiders since it was influencing the survival of the tribes.
To this day, giant spiders are still around, not as big as the J'ba Fofi but some species are still eating birds, and their sizes go as big as a large dinner plate.
Picture of the south-american Goliath bird-eater (theraphosa blondi):
Nguma-Monene
This "large python" (translation from the Lingala language) is described as a large lizard with a serrated ridge on its back. Latest sightings have been reported in 1970s and are spread out over the whole XX century.
It is often illustrated as a Spinosaurus, which scientists believe could possibly take down a Tyrannosarus rex even though the species never co-existed.
Illustration of the Nguma-Monene:
Kongamato
This "boat breaker" is described as being similar to a pterosaur. Sightings have been reported in Zambia, Angola and Congo. Some believe the creature was confused with the well-known giant bat species common in the regions.
Here's a portray of the Kongamato:
MORE INFO
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