Our Story
Mapou Mystics was born from a love of Haitian culture, folklore, and the power of storytelling. As authors, we wanted to create a comic book series that brings Haitian mythology and history into the spotlight while giving young Haitian and Haitian American heroes a voice in the world of comics.
At the heart of the series is the Mapou tree, a sacred symbol in Vodou tradition that connects the physical and spiritual realms. In Mapou Mystics, four teens—Haitian and Haitian American—are chosen by the lwa (Haitian deities) to protect both worlds. Their journey is filled with battles against darkness, trials of self-discovery, and a celebration of resilience, culture, and ancestry.
But Mapou Mystics isn’t just a comic—it’s a movement. Too often, stories rooted in the Caribbean, the African diaspora, and Vodou traditions are overlooked or misunderstood. With this series, we’re creating representation where there hasn’t been enough, showing our culture in its strength, complexity, and beauty.
Why We’re Creating This
We are Jessica and Mario, a Haitian American creative duo, passionate about building a story that is authentic, thrilling, and empowering. Together, we’ve been researching Haitian spirituality, history, and oral traditions, weaving them into a narrative that is both entertaining and meaningful.
With your support, we can:
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Fund production of the first full issue (art, lettering, printing).
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Support our creative team of Haitian and diaspora artists.
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Share Haitian stories globally through conventions, schools, and cultural events.
Why Support Mapou Mystics
By supporting Mapou Mystics, you’re also fueling the mission of the Haitian Education Project (HEP), a nonprofit dedicated to dedicated to strengthening communities in Haiti by addressing educational and economic challenges critical to reducing poverty. As Vice President of HEP, I’ve seen how powerful representation can be in education. Comics are one of the most engaging tools to spark curiosity in young people. With your help, Mapou Mystics can be used not only as a thrilling story but also as a resource to inspire students and teach about Haitian culture.
Our initial goal of $3,500 covers the art, lettering, and printing of Mapou Mystics Issue #1. Every dollar beyond this helps us unlock stretch goals, including Issue #2 pages, exclusive merch, and classroom copies distributed through the Haitian Education Project (HEP).
Join Us
This is more than a comic book. This is about representation, legacy, and imagination. Together, we can bring the world of Mapou Mystics to life and make sure our stories are told and celebrated.
Will you join us in making history with Mapou Mystics?
Perks
Get Mapou Mystics: Marked delivered straight to your inbox as a high-quality PDF once production is complete. Perfect for reading on your tablet, phone, or laptop. Backing at this level gives you the full first issue and helps us bring Haitian culture and mythology to life through comics.
Own the very first issue of Mapou Mystics: Marked in print! You’ll receive a beautifully printed comic mailed to you, plus a digital copy to start reading right away. This is the cornerstone reward—something you’ll be able to hold, reread, and share as part of the Mapou legacy.
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Physical copy of Mapou Mystics Issue #1 in English
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Exclusive merch discount code for the Mapou Mystics shop
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Classroom copy of Issue #1 in Haitian Creole (donated in your name to a school or library)
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Digital PDF copy
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Name listed on the Supporter Circle page
Highlights
See all activity3Meet The Characters
Oki was the very first character I ever created, and she is
deeply personal. Her journey through visions, vulnerability, and
self-discovery mirrored my own healing process. Building her story
helped me confront and overcome depression. Through Oki, I learned
that being deeply intuitive and emotionally attuned is not a
weakness; it’s a superpower. Her quiet strength and inner world are
rooted in my own search for purpose, and she represents the part of
me that continues to dream, even in darkness.
Vanya is the embodiment of so many powerful women in
my life, but especially my sister. Her unwavering strength, sharp
tongue, and deep loyalty are all born from love that knows how to
rage when needed. Vanya is trained in Tere Machet, an ancestral
Haitian martial art that blends dance, rhythm, and blade work. It’s
more than just a fighting style, it’s a ritual of survival and
spirit. Through her, I explore what it means to protect the people
you love at all costs, and the sacred balance between compassion and fire.
Laline
carries the brightness of my cousins from Haiti, the ones I grew up
with, laughed with, fought with, and still consider my closest
friends. There’s something undeniable about their energy, like they
brought a piece of the Haitian sun with them into every room. That
radiance lives in Laline. She’s vibrant, quick-witted, flirtatious,
and full of life, but under that charm is a depth rooted in legacy.
She represents joy that resists erasure, and the beauty of growing
up surrounded by feminine power.
Reggie
is inspired by my love for nature and one of my cousins who’s often
misunderstood. He’s tall, dark, quiet, and solemn, and like many
Black men, the world paints him as aggressive or threatening. But
the truth is, he has the gentlest heart. He’s deeply empathetic,
especially toward people with special needs, and builds deep, sacred
bonds with animals and the earth. Reggie reflects the power in
stillness, the resilience of roots, and the strength that doesn’t
have to roar to be heard.
Activity
Get Mapou Mystics: Marked delivered straight to your inbox as a high-quality PDF once production is complete. Perfect for reading on your tablet, phone, or laptop. Backing at this level gives you the full first issue and helps us bring Haitian culture and mythology to life through comics.
Own the very first issue of Mapou Mystics: Marked in print! You’ll receive a beautifully printed comic mailed to you, plus a digital copy to start reading right away. This is the cornerstone reward—something you’ll be able to hold, reread, and share as part of the Mapou legacy.
-
Physical copy of Mapou Mystics Issue #1 in English
-
Exclusive merch discount code for the Mapou Mystics shop
-
Classroom copy of Issue #1 in Haitian Creole (donated in your name to a school or library)
-
Digital PDF copy
-
Name listed on the Supporter Circle page
