Islamic Action Heroes: The 99

It just got harder to be cheeky about comic book heroes. Burkhas replace leotards in India’s latest comic series import, The 99.

It just got harder to be cheeky about comic book heroes. Burkhas replace leotards; Baghdad and Western Afghanistan trounce Smallville and Gotham in India’s latest comic series import, The 99. Launched by Chandamama, the books feature a group of 99 superheroes who embody the 99 traits of Allah. Self-styled as ‘the world’s first superheroes based on Islamic culture and society’,The 99 is already wildly popular in the Middle East. Created by Kuwaiti author Naif al-Mutawa with former Marvel Comics illustrators, the story of The 99 starts from the Mongol invasion of medieval Baghdad. Through a series of verbal calisthenics, we fast forward from the medieval to the present, and 99 heroes rise from 99 countries, including Kuwait, the US, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and yes, India, each representing the various facets of God, such as strength, honour, generosity and wisdom. “There is no discussion of religion, they’re basic human values,” says Al-Mutawa. “Even atheists don’t ask their children to lie or cheat.” Parents may approve of these modest, culturally sensitive action heroes who do not wear their underwear over their pants and who keep their headscarves intact while delivering a swift upper cut.

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Manju Sara Rajan