feature: upcoming graphic novel/anime series ‘tephlon funk!’

Tephlon Funk! is an upcoming graphic novel and anime series. The story focuses on Inez Jozlyn from Queensbride, New York who is like any ordinary fourteen year old with dreams and aspirations. While others around her aspire to a life of crime, Inez’s ultimate goal is simple. She wants to leave the gang, and drug infested community she’s known her entire life for a life without struggle. With her goal in arm’s reach, she struggles to avoid the bad influence of friends, in order to maximize her full potential.
Tephlon Funk creator Stephane Metayer was inspired by his own experiences and observations collected as a Queens, New York native. Many of his influences like Akira Toriyama, Osamu Tezuka, Katsuhiro Otomo, Bengus, Akiman, Kentaro Miura and Hayao Miyazaki, originated while he attended Bayside High School. Perhaps Tephlon Funk‘s biggest influence is rapper Nas’ debut album, Illmatic for its eloquent introduction into the mind and life of a Queensbridge native.

By Tip Jordan, AFROPUNK Contributor

Noticing the lack of black heroines in the media, and the surplus amount of stereotypical characters, Stephane Metayer challenged himself to change the perception of black anime by mixing the characteristics of X-Men’s, Storm, and Metroid’s, Samus with a New York City backdrop.

“Every since I was eleven, I always wanted to make my own animated series. I felt that I couldn’t relate to what I was seeing on television. They never had an authentic cartoon that showed the diversity of New York City.”- Stephane Metayer

“I came up with the name, Tephlon Funk to reflect the strength that it takes to grow up in the inner city.” – Stephane Metayer

Stephane Metayer’s, Tephlon Funk will be featuring the artwork of Nikolas A. Draper-Ivey & David Tako. Look for the graphic novel to be released this fall! In the meantime, keep up to date with upcoming releases at tephlonfunk.com.