From the red dirt of the Kimberley to comic book stands across the country, the Indigiverse is rewriting the rules of who gets to wear the cape.
The Indigiverse, the world’s first Aboriginal superhero universe, is the brainchild of Scott Wilson, a proud Gooniyandi and Miriwoong Gajerrong man from Muladja community in WA’s Kimberley.
Now, the creative powerhouse is gaining global attention - and inspiring a new generation of young First Nations storytellers.
“The Indigiverse is all about the oldest living cultures inspiring the newest living superheroes,” Wilson says.
“We want people in Japan, Europe, everywhere to know our stories, to hear our languages, and to see our people represented as heroes.”
Founded in 2021, the Indigiverse is a groundbreaking comic book series built on First Nations lore and language.
Each comic series is co-created with First Nations writers and artists from around the country, featuring characters inspired by their cultures and kinship systems – all told through a superhero lens.
A universe of lore, language and leadership
Wilson’s first series, Dark Heart, tells the story of a Gooniyandi warrior who channels the power of the Dreaming to battle dark spirits.
The character draws on Wilson’s own childhood, growing up away from Country and grappling with identity.
His newest series, Dreamwalker, introduces the universe’s first female superhero – and she’s inspired by one of Wilson’s strongest role models: his great-grandmother, Mangala.
Dream Walker emerges as a bold new voice in Indigenous storytelling and superhero fiction.
“With Dreamwalker, we wanted to honour the strength of our women, and the stories that have shaped us, even through the pain.”
Co-written with Molly Hunt, a Balanggarra and Yolngu artist, and illustrated by Christopher Wood, Dreamwalker is a deep and moving narrative that bridges space, time, and generations.
In the story, Dreamwalker – based on Mangala – is abducted by a cosmic force symbolising colonisation.
While in space, she gives birth to a child, who is then taken from her and returned to Earth.
The story follows her journey across time using Dreaming powers to reconnect with her kin.
“We’re not just writing a superhero story,” Wilson says.
“We’re sharing our kinship systems, our languages, our lores – and we’re doing it in a format that kids like me, who struggled with reading, can engage with.
"Comics saved me. I want them to save others too.”
Matriarchy and momentum
Wilson is proud that Dreamwalker leads with a strong matriarchal lens, something that reflects his own upbringing and cultural values.
“I was raised by powerful women," he says.
"Our culture is built on matriarchy.
And now, young girls can see a superhero that looks like them, who comes from their stories and their strength.
“Molly Hunt is the future. She’s building her own comic book universe – the Alchemy Universe – and it’s just incredible to collaborate with her.”
Comics that preserve language
Dream Walker includes a glossary of Gooniyandi language at the end of the comic — a key part of Wilson’s mission to protect and preserve culture for future generations.
“Those words in the back of the comic? They’re there forever. They’re protected now. That’s what matters — that our kids can read these stories, learn the words, and know where they come from.”
The future is deadly
Wilson is already working on three more series for the Indigiverse, including one led by a Noongar superhero written by a Noongar writer.
The aim? To have a superhero for every Nation, each grounded in its own stories, law, and language.
And with appearances at major pop culture events like Supanova Comic Con, Wilson says the Indigiverse is only just getting started.
“We’ve been building this for five years. Now we’re here, standing on the shoulders of our Elders, and sharing our stories with the world. That’s what the Indigiverse is about — a universe we all want to celebrate and live within together.”
