Burkina Faso in 1987 is a country in the throes of revolution. Manu, an eight-year-old who loves comics, tags along with Albert, his big brother. When Albert decides to undergo a magic ritual to become invincible, Manu realises there are real powers to rival those of his comic-book superheroes.

Pushed by his ambitious wife, Katanga kills the king and takes the throne—and then there is no deed too low to keep his grip on power.