As you can probably imagine, launching a superhero book staring characters that are based on Islamic ideals and beliefs would be not so easy a thing to do, even in a part of the world that is largely Islamic. Now imagine trying to do it in a country with a myriad of diverse cultural, ideals and beliefs. The try to imagine doing it in a country were a group of extremes perpetuated an unspeakable act of violence against non-combatants. Well, according to Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, a UNESCO award-winning author and the creator of the 99 a group of teenagers who have been “augmented” by bonding with several “enhanced” Noor gem stones that imbued each of them with one of the 99 special traits of Allah.
Published by Teshkeel Comics, a Kuwaiti-based company headed up by Naif that is focused on, “…creating, re-engineering, and exploiting all forms of children’s media based on or infused with localized culture, beginning with a proprietary superhero concept.” After an initial licensing deal with Marvel Comics (for an Arab-Language version of Spider-Man to be distributed in the Mid-East), Teshkeel published its first original comicbook The 99 in August of 2006, with a US version appearing in August of 2007. Subsequent versions of the series have appeared internationally in Indonesian and India. Teshkeel has also cut similar deals to re-publish Arab-language deals with both DC and Archie, as well as a children's magazine based on characters and series from the Cartoon Network’s.
It is one of Dr. Naif’s goals to present a positive image of the Arab world and Islamic beliefs, and both the comic itself and his editorials in each issue reflect that approach. Dr. Naif was quick to point out that there is no overt religious message in the 99, nor is he attempting to present a religious image of either Allah or Islam, as that would be something to difficult to attempt. Rather, the comic should be viewed as a typical superhero comic that just happens to take place with a cast of characters that is largely Islamic.
To be sure there are both “good” and “bad” characters, some of whom happened to be of Arab descent, but there are also good and bad non-Arab characters (issues 9 & 10 takes place in Africa where local tribesmen are poaching Elephants for the Ivory in their tusks). For all intents and purposes this comic could very well be the Teen Titans of the X-Men (both of which feature a cast of international heroes and villains). In The 99, however, the heroes don’t so much fight supervillains, as they are attempting to gather together others who have been blessed with possession of the Noor stones, and to right the wrongs of the world.
Both The 99 Dr. Naif have achieved international recognition for the work that they are doing. In addition to numerous articles written about the heroes in the international press. On April 26, 2010 President Obama referenced The 99 and Dr. Naif in a speech that was given at the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship held in Washington. In his speech, The President commended The 99 for capturing the imaginations of young readers with its message of understanding and tolerance.
Currently The 99 is up to issue #26 with all issues available for purchase on the company’s website (The first issue is available free as a PDF download). Also available on the site are 99-themed wallpapers, creator and character bios, news, and information about the company, articles that have been written about the comic, as well as the ability to sign up for a newsletter. One of the more Interesting aspects of the comic is that one of the important reasons that the comic is not only so engaging, but reads so much like the X-Men, is that it is co-written by Fabian Nicieza, who used to write the X-Men for Marvel.
Comments