Shequeta Smith Will Launch New Young Grandmaster Choi Comic
The Rowan County native is set to debut the third chapter of her prequel manhwa series via Kickstarter on Tuesday.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Comic Books
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Author Shequeta Smith will launch a Kickstarter campaign on October 13, 2026, to fund the third installment of her prequel comic series, Young Grandmaster Choi: Under the Chuseok Moon. The project also includes the production of a resource titled the Curly Confidence Kit.
Why it matters
Smith aims to address hair discrimination issues facing Black girls while providing younger audiences with a dedicated series. The project follows her previous work on the graphic novel series Rayven Choi, published between 2016 and 2021.
The manhwa, illustrated by Qazzran Alamry, is designed for readers aged 7 to 12. Smith brings 20 years of entertainment industry experience to the production.
The players
Shequeta Smith
Shequeta Smith is a Rowan County native and former educator who has spent 20 years working in the entertainment industry.
Qazzran Alamry
Qazzran Alamry is the illustrator responsible for the visual style of the Young Grandmaster Choi series.
The details
The upcoming comic installment utilizes a Korean manhwa visual style to tell the prequel story. Additionally, the Kickstarter funding will support the creation of the Curly Confidence Kit, which serves as a companion to the comic's themes.
Timeline
The Kickstarter campaign launches on October 13, 2026.
Smith wrote the Rayven Choi graphic novel series between 2016 and 2021.
Culture Shift
The project reflects a broader movement where independent creators use specific international art styles like manhwa to reach new demographics. This shift challenges traditional Western comic aesthetics by integrating global visual influences into stories centered on American social themes.
Supporters can participate in the project starting Tuesday by visiting the upcoming crowdfunding campaign. The inclusion of the Curly Confidence Kit offers a practical resource for families navigating hair discrimination issues.
The takeaway
Authors are increasingly using crowdfunding platforms to bypass traditional publishing gatekeepers for socially conscious projects. Readers interested in supporting independent creators should review project rewards and delivery timelines before committing to crowdfunding campaigns.
Further reading
Discover more independent projects and industry trends in our Comic Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Salisbury Post.
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