Shero Comics Archives - Sherocomics

KEKE PALMER SPOTLIGHTS YOUNG GRANDMASTER CHOI IN HER ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST HOME TOUR

SheroSquad — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:01:41 +0000

There are moments that remind us just how far a dream can travel.

While watching Keke Palmer’s recent Architectural Digest home tour, the Shero Comics team was thrilled to spot the original Young Grandmaster Choi doll prominently featured in her home. For an independent studio dedicated to creating heroes for women and girls of color, it was an unforgettable moment.

The feature marks another exciting milestone for Young Grandmaster Choi, one of the few Black female-led manhwa series to earn international recognition.

There was one detail that made the Shero Comics team laugh. The original Young Grandmaster Choi doll is a bobblehead, and in the clip it looks like someone may have lifted Rayven’s head up and forgotten to pop it all the way back into place. 😄 Thankfully, she’s had quite the glow-up since then!

Since the original doll was sent to Keke, the franchise has continued to grow. The updated museum edition of the Young Grandmaster Choi doll (below) has been archived in both the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, and the Korea Manhwa Museum in Bucheon, South Korea—an extraordinary achievement for a Black female-led manhwa series in a genre where Black girl heroines remain exceptionally rare.

The momentum doesn’t stop there. Young Grandmaster Choi was recently named the 2026 Zelda Award winner for Best Children’s Graphic Novel and is currently being piloted in schools as an anti-bullying and confidence-building resource, using storytelling and the core principles of martial arts—discipline, focus, respect, and resilience—to help students build self-confidence, resilience, and cultural pride.

On July 14, the Spanish-language digital edition of Young Grandmaster Choi: Chapter 1 will launch, bringing Rayven’s story to even more readers and classrooms around the world.

For everyone who has supported Young Grandmaster Choi over the years, thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Seeing our heroine featured in Keke Palmer’s home is more than a proud moment for Shero Comics—it’s another reminder that stories centered on Black girls can resonate across cultures, generations, and the world.

Check out Keke’s home tour below and get a glimpse of our original Young Grandmaster Choi doll at 2:18.

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SHEROCON 2026 COMING TO THE VALLEY RELICS MUSEUM ON AUGUST 1, 2026

SheroSquad — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:16:32 +0000

We’re excited to officially announce that SheroCon 2026 will take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the incredible Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys!

Created as a day to celebrate the women who have trailblazed their way to success in comics, film, gaming, manga/anime, and creative technology, SheroCon returns for its fourth year as a free, family-friendly event for everyone who loves Sheros.

Attendees can expect a full day of inspiring panels, creators, cosplay, community, and hands-on activities. Returning favorites include the Shero Alley featuring women creators and entrepreneurs, our “Your Favorite Shero” Cosplay Contest, and a lineup of industry professionals sharing their journeys and insights.

This year’s featured panels include:

• Shero’s Saving Hollywood – A conversation with female executives from major studios and production companies discussing leadership, representation, and the future of entertainment.

• Women Who Run the Game – Meet the women helping shape the future of video games and interactive entertainment.

• Shojo: Where My Girls At in Manga and Anime – A discussion on women in manga and anime, their impact on the genre, and what the future holds.

Because the event takes place just before the start of the school year, SheroCon 2026 will also feature a Back-to-School focus for local families, students, and Girl Scouts.

This year’s event would not be possible without the support of our community partners, including The She Angels Foundation, Queen of Mercia, KamRock Entertainment, the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, the Valley Glen Neighborhood Council, Creative Visions, and many others who believe in empowering the next generation of creators and leaders.

If you’re wondering how we got here, the journey to bring SheroCon back as a standalone event has been anything but straightforward. From venue challenges and fundraising hurdles to unexpected twists and turns, the story behind this year’s event is one of persistence, community, and refusing to give up.

Read the full story here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/shequetasmith/p/sherocon-2026-failing-my-way-to-the?r=1bdkwm&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

We can’t wait to welcome you to Valley Relics Museum on August 1st as we celebrate the Sheros who inspire us all.

Get FREE tickets HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989357514879?aff=oddtdtcreator

See you at SheroCon!

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SHERO COMICS x GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER LOS ANGELES

SheroSquad — Tue, 05 May 2026 01:33:16 +0000

About eight months ago, we began a beautiful partnership with Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles—and it’s been such a rewarding journey ever since.

Our award-winning founder, Shequeta L. Smith, has had the joy of mentoring Girl Scouts across Los Angeles through our Shero Talks badge-earning workshops. In these sessions, the girls aren’t just learning—they’re creating. From building their own comic book characters to imagining entire story worlds, they’re stepping into their power as storytellers and future creators in real time.

So far, we’ve had the opportunity to work with over 100 Girl Scouts, and every workshop brings something special. The energy, the ideas, the confidence that starts to bloom, it’s honestly why we do this work.

And of course, we can’t forget the fan-favorite: the “funtastic claw machine.” It’s become a signature part of the experience, equal parts fun, surprise, and celebration.

This partnership has truly been a wonderful experience, and we’re excited to continue building with these incredible girls — helping them see that their stories matter, and that they belong in every creative space they can imagine. Check out some of the flicks from our previous workshops below.

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YOUNG GRANDMASTER CHOI WINS THE 2026 ZELDA AWARD

SheroSquad — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 03:12:49 +0000

We’re proud to share that Young Grandmaster Choi Chapter #1 has won the 2026 Zelda Award for Best Children’s Graphic Novel.

The Zelda Awards celebrate excellence in comics and are named after Zelda “Jackie” Ormes, the first Black female cartoonist and a pioneer in the field.

This milestone reflects the heart of the series. From the beginning, the goal has been to center girls, especially Black girls, in stories of strength, resilience, and self-discovery.

The story follows Rayven, a young girl who, after the loss of her parents, relocates to South Korea and must navigate a new culture while processing grief. Once there, she is bullied for being different, from her hair to her skin color. Through martial arts, she begins to build confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging. Rooted in social-emotional learning, the series supports conversations around identity, bullying, and resilience, and is currently being piloted in select schools across the country.

This award is a reminder that stories rooted in authenticity and purpose matter. It belongs to the readers, educators, librarians, and supporters who have championed this work.

Watch the Zelda Awards HERE.

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SHERO COMICS FOUNDER RECOGNIZED AS LEADER IN PITCHBOOK’S 2025 BLACK FOUNDERS ROUNDUP

SheroSquad — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 02:03:54 +0000

Shero Comics is proud to share that our founder, Shequeta L. Smith, has been featured in PitchBook’s Black Founders & Investors to Know in 2025, a community-driven list that highlights Black innovators shaping their industries and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

The article opens with a clear picture of how underrepresented Black founders—particularly Black women—remain within the venture ecosystem. With only 1% of investment partner positions held by Black women, progress has been slow and uneven. Smith’s inclusion on this list speaks to her impact not only as a creator and entrepreneur, but as a builder of an expanding transmedia universe rooted in authentic storytelling.

Across Shero Comics, Smith has created a body of work that spans graphic novels, manga, animation, film, and games—each project designed to empower women and girls of color while bridging cultures across the globe. Her publishing catalog continues to inspire readers worldwide, while the growing Shero Universe extends into new mediums through Shero Games and Rayven Choi Films.

Being recognized alongside other Black founders and investors underscores the broader movement toward greater representation in creative and tech-driven industries. Shero Comics celebrates this milestone and applauds every leader featured for their contributions and continued innovation.

Readers can explore the full list and learn more about the featured founders here:
Https://Pitchbook.Com/Blog/Black-Founders-And-Investors-To-Watch

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SHERO COMICS TURNS 9

SheroSquad — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 21:45:04 +0000

Today marks the official 9-year anniversary of Shero Comics!

It all started with a whisper — literally. We worked in secret on the first two chapters of Rayven Choi for nearly two years. Then we shot a short film to introduce the graphic novel, and at our wrap party, we officially announced the birth of Shero Comics to the world.

Just two days later, on July 19, 2016, we released Rayven Choi Chapter #1, not knowing exactly where it would all go. But I did know this: the industry had a major gap when it came to Black women in comics, and I was ready to fill it.

Nine years later, that vision has grown into something bigger than I ever imagined—books, dolls, animation, SheroCon, and programs that have reached across the globe. Thank you for supporting us, sharing our work, and cheering us on through it all.

Check out our 9-Year Anniversary Video below for a quick look at what we’ve built together.

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YOUNG GRANDMASTER CHOI ANIMATED BOOK DUBS ARE NOW PLAYING ON YOUTUBE

SheroSquad — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 05:09:24 +0000

Young Grandmaster Choi Animated Book Dubs Are Now Playing on YouTube !

Young Grandmaster Choi is coming to life in a whole new way!

Starting Monday, June 9th, Shero Comics will begin releasing 2-minute animated book dubs every Monday on our official YouTube channel. These bite-sized episodes bring Rayven’s story to life through vibrant animation, voice acting, and sound—making it the perfect way for kids to engage with the series all summer long.

Whether you’re already a fan of Young Grandmaster Choi or just discovering it, these short episodes are a fun and meaningful way to experience the journey of a young Black girl navigating life, grief, and martial arts in Seoul, Korea.

Check out new Episodes below, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss a drop:

👉 Youtube.Com/@SheroComics

Feel free to share this exciting new series with teachers, parents, and kids in your life—we made these episodes with them in mind.

#SheroSummer is here. Let’s kick it off right. 🥋✨

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YOUNG GRANDMASTER CHOI II IS LIVE ON KICKSTARTER

SheroSquad — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:15:35 +0000

The day is finally here! We’re live on Kickstarter with the sequel to “Young Grandmaster Choi!” The whole team is geeked to bring this type of representation to the world of manga and we hope you’re just as excited and eager to support us as we continue to build a world of Sheroes of color in the geek space!

This campaign features the new book with two different covers. The first cover features Rayven holding short sticks in from of the “Suguska Temple” a famous landmark in South Korea.

The variant cover features Rayven posing in front of the “Olympic Park World Peace Gate,” another famous landmark in South Korea. This landmark was built to host the 1988 Summer Olympics and this cover is an ode to the 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games which featured Taekwondo. This variant copy of the book is a Kickstarter exclusive that will only be sold during the campaign.

In addition to the Young Grandmaster Choi sequel, we are offering a new 40-page comic book that features Rayven and her classmates practicing their martial arts stances. The coloring book set includes a pack of custom Young Grandmaster Choi crayons.

The campaign also features a few Kickstarter exclusives like the Young Grandmaster Choi T-shirt, which features the Golden Temple cover. A Young Grandmaster Choi branded headband. A Little Dragons iron-on patch. Sticker sheets, and the limited-edition Young Grandmaster Choi doll, a collector’s item that will NEVER be made again!

Below is the NEW butt-kicking trailer that our animator finished in the wee hours of this morning, and it’s not only a MUST SEE, it’s a MUST SHARE!

We NEED YOU to not only back the campaign but to help us spread the word about this campaign! Check us out on Kickstarter before the campaign ends on October 11, 2024!

Young Grandmaster Choi II

Https://Kck.St/4bWUfLy

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FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS

SheroSquad — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:47:08 +0000

While Shero Comics is the most well–known division in our Shero Universe, we have a few more rabbits in our proverbial hat! There’s our new gaming division, SHERO GAMES, our annual comic convention, SHEROCON, and our film company, RAYVEN CHOI FILMS.

Click the logos below to follow each division of our company on social media, and to keep up with new projects and BREAKING NEWS!

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THE 2023-2024 YOUNG GRANDMASTER CHOI BOOK TOUR

SheroSquad — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 01:52:19 +0000

Young Grandmaster Choi is out, and this fall, we’re headed to comic cons, army bases, libraries, bookstores, schools, and special events near you! Check out our tentative schedule above, and come meet us during one of our tour stops to get autographed copies of Young Grandmaster Choi and the rest of our fantastic comics.

GET TICKETS BELOW!

wizard’s asylum book signing – https://bit.ly/46ktm1K

Pulp Fiction book signing – https://bit.ly/3t8Nbum

eagle-con LA – https://EAGLECONLA.COM

los angeles comic con – https://comicconla.com

STOPS WITH ** ARE TENTATIVE

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