Faith

Indoctrination? Debate Continues Over Islamic Cartoon & Comic Book Series

DETROIT (The Blaze/AP) — Comic book fans might call it a great origin story: In the aftermath of 9/11, a Muslim man creates a comic book series, “The 99,” inspired by the principles of his faith. It builds a global audience and investors contribute millions for it to continue and expand.

Despite this intriguing story, critics have dismissed the project as mere indoctrination (last year, the Blaze covered the debate surrounding the comic book series).

In two vastly different cultures, Naif Al-Mutawa’s tale has hit a few roadblocks: Censorship from Saudi Arabia, home to the main Muslim holy sites; in the United States, a struggle to build an audience in a post-9/11 world where suspicion and scrutiny of all things Islamic is certainly present.

“That’s one of the things that was most disappointing to me in the beginning,” Al-Mutawa said on a recent visit to Detroit. “You have two birthplaces: You have the birthplace of Islam, which initially rejected it (and) the birthplace of democracy and tolerance, this country, that I’m now facing resistance in – the two natural places for this product.”

Below, watch Al-Mutawa discuss “The 99” during a TED talk last year:

Al-Mutawa’s reputation in the Middle East and elsewhere has grown since the 2006 debut of “The 99,” as well as its rollout into animation. The series is named for the 99 qualities the Quran attributes to God: strength, courage, wisdom and mercy among them.

The comic book spawned a TV series and 26 half-hour episodes of the 3-D animated version of the “The 99” have been sold to broadcasters. They are expected to be released early next year in more than 50 countries, and a second season is in production.

Al-Mutawa, a U.S.-educated psychologist from Kuwait, has been promoting “Wham! Bam! Islam!“ a PBS documentary that tells the story of ”The 99″ from an idea hatched during a cab ride to its raising of $40 million in three calls for investors. The promotional push is supporting the animated series, the vehicle by which his company hopes to turn a profit.

“The 99” grew out of his childhood love of Batman, Superman and their superhero brethren, along with a desire to provide role models for his five young sons.

“Basically, `The 99′ is based on Quranic archetypes, the same way that Batman and Superman are based on Judeo-Christian and Biblical archetypes. And just like Batman and Superman are secular story lines, so too are `The 99,’” he said.

The 99: Naif Al Mutawas Islamic Comic Book Series Sparks Debate“It seemed to me that the only people using mass media when it came to things to do with religion – at least my religion – were people who were doing very destructive things. So the question was how do I challenge that in a way that’s secular yet cannot be dismissed as Western?”

Critics on both sides of the religious and cultural divide see subversion in Al-Mutawa’s superheroes. Some hardline Muslims say the series subverts their faith by embodying the attributes in human characters, while a few non-Muslim American critics have labeled it sneaky Islamic indoctrination.

Al-Mutawa said it took investment by an Islamic investment bank to make his series “halal,” or acceptable to Saudi officials. The nation’s government-run broadcaster has since bought the rights to the animated series. So has The Hub cable network in the U.S. – though the latter has indefinitely postponed airing it after some critical columns and blog posts.

“One of the comments on the blogs that ended up delaying us was someone who warned that we can’t let the Muslims brainwash our children like the Mexicans did with `Dora the Explorer,’” Al-Mutawa said. Religious News Service has more:

“Be prepared for the latest exercise in Muslim propaganda,” warned Adrian Morgan, editor at Family Security Matters, a conservative website, in a column last year. “Are we going to see ass-kicking Christian superhero nuns, called Faith, Hope and Charity, whooping sinner’s butts and sending Satan into hell? It is doubtful.”

A few weeks later, New York Post columnist Andrea Peyser griped that “Wonder Woman-style cleavage has been banned from the ladies,” in “The 99,” and “male and female characters are never alone together.”

The 99: Naif Al Mutawas Islamic Comic Book Series Sparks DebateStill, he’s measuring broader acceptance in other ways. Al-Mutawa worked with DC Comics last year on a six-issue crossover that teamed “The 99” with The Justice League of America.

“They start out with distrust between the two teams of superheroes – Superman punches one of my guys early on,” Al-Mutawa said. “And then they figure out during the arc that it’s the bad guys causing the distrust.”

Robin Wright, author of “Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World,” said Al-Mutawa has “been way ahead of the curve in figuring out how you challenge extremism and how you create alternative role models to Osama bin Laden or Hassan Nasrallah (Hezbollah’s leader) for kids and adults.”

Muslim characters are rare in U.S. comic books but there have been some inroads.

Marvel Comics has Dust, a young Afghan woman whose mutant ability to manipulate sand and dust has been part of the popular X-Men books.

“I don’t view a Muslim superhero as avant garde,” Marvel editor-in-chief Axel Alonso said. “Muslims comprise approximately 23 percent of the world’s population, and we like our comics to reflect the world in its diversity.”

Dust wears a robe and veil to observe Muslim hijab, or modest dress. Another character, M, is a woman of Algerian descent who only recently revealed her faith in the pages of “X-Factor.” Like millions of other Muslim women in the real world, she “does not observe hijab, and often dresses quite provocatively,” Alonso said.

Other characters have not been so accepted. In late 2010, DC Comics introduced Nightrunner, a young Muslim hero of Algerian descent raised in Paris. He’s part of the global network of crime fighters set up by Batman alter-ego Bruce Wayne. Conservative bloggers decried the move, noting that instead of tapping a native French person, they opted for a minority.

Frank Miller, whose dark and moody take on Batman in “The Dark Knight Returns” in 1986 energized the character, has taken a different tack in his latest work, “Holy Terror,” which tells the story of The Fixer and his efforts to stamp out Islamic terrorists.

The graphic novel initially took root as a look at Batman’s efforts to fight terrorism, something that grew out of Miller’s experiences of being in New York during 9/11. As he worked on it, it became apparent that it wasn’t suitable for the DC character.

“As I developed it and worked on it, the subject was too serious and the character’s actions were not Batman,” he said.

The book has been criticized as anti-Islamic propaganda, but Miller says that’s not his notion.

“I lived through a time when 3,000 of my neighbors were incinerated for no apparent reason. I lived through the chalky, smoky weeks that followed and through the warplanes flying overhead and realized that, much like my character, The Fixer, I found a mission,” he said.

As for “The 99,” he said has not seen it but welcomes Al-Mutawa’s efforts.

“I come in with my own very pro-Western-they-attacked-my-city-point of view,” Miller said. “If other people have other points of view to bring in, I just welcome it.”

Al-Mutawa called “Holy Terror” par for the historical course for Islam.

“There’s no denying that terrible things have happened in the name of my religion – as they have in the names of most religions, if not all religions,” he said. “As human beings, we’re a little bit lazy. We don’t like to change the schemas in our minds. We like to fit new information into existing schemas. That’s why to some people anything to do with Islam is going to be bad.”

Comments (43)

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  • toto
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 6:25pm

    Being anti-Islamist is completely justified. How many bombs have to go off before people get it. The creep of Sharia law in our banking system is already here. Citibank NA is sharia compliant. That mean’s they give 2% of their profit to Muslim charities, which are known to sponsor, directly or indirectly, terrorism. Your tax dollars go to Islamic countries that KILL Christians and JEWS simply because they are Christians or Jews.l Nobody complains or sees anything wrong with it. Where is the outrage? I will oppose anything that in any way facilitates Islam. If that makes me a racist or a bigot, so be it (in your mind) but I believe it makes me someone who can see the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, and sense or nonsense.

    Report Post »  
  • IamMr0
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 4:00pm

    Honestly, in terms of story and plot, it’s kinda goofy. It’s one of those cartoons that tries so hard to be cool that it fails miserable at doing so. And why the cheap 3d cgi… whatever happened to good old fashioned animation? Itr looks better that way.

    Report Post »  
  • discus02
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 1:33pm

    Its a bird no its a plane no its super rag head!

    Report Post »  
  • dpselfe
    Posted on October 13, 2011 at 7:42am

    Sounds like there’s a parallel to the Muslim belief that you need to do 51% good in order to get to Heaven. Your deeds are weighed when you arrive, and if you tip the scales to the “good” (51%), you’re in. Tip them to the “bad” (49%), and you spend eternity in Hell. Problem is there‘s no way to keep track while you’re alive. There is a guarenteed way in: Martyrdome. If you die in Jihad, you get a free pass. Doesn’t that make suicide bombers a whole lot more logical when you know why they do it?
    The “99” stones can be used for good or evil. Suppose 50 of them are used for evil and only 49 for good. Kind of sounds a lot like the scales Muslims believe will judge their own personal lives……doesn’t it?

    Report Post » dpselfe  
  • deano24
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:41pm

    How about you create a super hero Called Jesus & he carries a book called the bible & teaches your kids about the ten commandments.

    Report Post » deano24  
  • db321
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:40pm

    We have plenty of room in our School Libraries now that we have thrown out anything to do with the Bible, God, our forefathers and the Constitution.

    My family and myself are covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ and I will choose death before I would ever except Mohammad or any of the teachings of Islam.

    Mohammad is still in his grave and soon he will account for every word and deed he has done in his life. It is going to take a while and he is not going to like the Judgement.

    Report Post » db321  
    • jonathan james
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:56pm

      Easy to say that in the US– not a snowballs chance in Miami that sorts thing’s going to happen here- fantasy notwithstanding. Feel free to talk tough tho– hey why not sign up for a science course at your local CC and try to school the bio teacher about life’s origin…..

      Report Post »  
  • sheik
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 10:37pm

    Obama’s Taxpayers Funded Islam Propaganda For Kidz: We Have Ways to Make You Like It!

    Be prepared for the latest exercise in Zero funded Musel-prop:

    “Muslims comprise approximately 23 percent of the world’s population, and we like our comics to reflect the world in its diversity.”

    Report Post » sheik  
  • Bobsyouruncle
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 9:28pm

    sorry AxelPhantom – I need to read further down…

    Report Post »  
  • VintageAmerican
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 9:25pm

    “The 99,” huh… I am seeing OWSers carrying 99% signs. hmmmmmmmmmm

    Report Post » VintageAmerican  
  • Bobsyouruncle
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 9:13pm

    Wait is it just me???

    The 99 unemployment club and the Flea Party are saying we are the “99” and this is a 99 cartoon?

    Come on now – just a happy coincident????

    Report Post »  
  • zoro51
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 8:26pm

    camels dont care whom they KILL save that they KILL ISLAM is a CUT of death n hate NOW innocent kids being brainwashed my MURDERS N TERRORISTS to KILL where ever they go all in the name of a FALSE GOD N FALSE DEAD N BURIED PROPHET.. MUSLUMS KILL they dont care WHOM they kill save that they KILL.. EXTERMINATE THEM ALL end the madness

    Report Post » zoro51  
  • 4truth2all
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 8:21pm

    Glad to hear he’s having trouble here in the “tolerant” USA making sales. May that forever be true. May the USA always be tolerant, just not foolish in the process, which we are being.

    YO BLAZE…..stop the pop

    Report Post »  
  • Skee
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 7:57pm

    So arabs used to be intelligent people until those
    Mongolians trashed their library. I guess it didn’t
    occur to them to make copies. The western world
    lost most of our knowledge during the dark ages
    because of plagues. We bounced back, what’s
    their excuse.

    Report Post » Skee  
    • bnorton11
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 10:55pm

      I just have to point out that Europe was able to rebound only because the Arabs preserved and expanded the knowledge of human kind. When we launched the Crusades we took A LOT of knowledge back with us. Without them we would still be in the Dark Ages.

      Report Post »  
  • flatbroke
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 7:31pm

    Yeah sure! I keep hearing the same thing over and over, that there is an quiet, peace loving, docile islam, and the radical, crazy, fundi, islam, and all they want is to erase the radicals, and everything will be fine, i just dont beleive, because i have yet to see.

    Report Post » flatbroke  
  • georgiavietvet
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 7:20pm

    i do not trust anything islamic. they always have an ulterior motive. its just more of the muslims pushing their evil religion and evil agenda onto our country. in my opinion, any muslim, not a u.s. citizen, should be sent back to wherever they come from. those that are citizens should be watched closely. i do not trust them at all…………………………………………….

    Report Post »  
    • toto
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 6:38pm

      I completely agree with you, and they have caused this themselves. Example: The in your face insistence of the mosque at ground zero. WHERE was there sensitivity to those that died,
      and to the rest of us, because their people, Islamists, took down the twin towers. They don’t give a crap about anybody but themselves and in fact, way to many of them want to kill us all. Why, exactly are we being so accommodating?

      Report Post »  
  • mattmo79
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 7:13pm

    Great. It’s Super **********, protector of Islam and the Shariah Way!!

    Report Post » mattmo79  
  • Paulmtmorris
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:46pm

    Strength, courage, wisdom and mercy? How about love? Oh, that’s right, it is in Muhammad’s alter ego, “allah” or in the Qur’an.

    Report Post »  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:24pm

    When you have all of these groups working together for the distruction of our country , and other countries as well. and they all fight for Global law it is natural that they learn and copy from each other. It all sounds familar doesn’t it? Our enemies need only to pay attention to our current administration and its George Sorus connection to pickup the very same tactics that seem to be working. Look at the National Endowment of the Arts. They are doing the same thing. If they succeed none of these groups will be satisfied unless they come out on top. If they think winning as a group will be the answer they are in for a heck of a big surprise.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:12pm

    Hmm. Deja Vu?

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • obamasacommie
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 5:45pm

    I have no faith in any thing Islam so this man has a long way to go to convince me. Call it what you want but every time we trust Islam they prove only that they cannot be trusted.

    Report Post » obamasacommie  
  • Supercalafragalisticexpialidotious
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 5:08pm

    On the face of it…I like this guy!

    If he’s really trying to provide an alternate role model to Osama Bin Laden- role models who are fine with the western way of life- then that’s great! He sounds (on the face of it) like a Muslim who is finally doing something real to counter the extremism he acknowledges exists in his religion. I found the last few quotes in this article particularly striking. He‘s fine with the other guy’s comic- the one where a super hero combats Muslim extremism- and understands where the other writer is coming from. Then he goes on to say that people are set in their ways and try to fit something into their world view template, instead of questioning things…which is why some people will condemn (my words) an entire religion because of the extremists in it.

    Kind of like Mr. Beck keeps telling everyone to do: question boldly even the existence of God. That would include smaller beliefs, such as differences between your religion and another’s. So…cool.

    Great article, Blaze! :D I’m honestly quite curious about this comic book- and I have no fear that I’ll somehow change my own beliefs, which are very solidly established. :)

    Report Post »  
    • Steve
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 4:28am

      One must understand the message and end game of the Islamic ideology. When one approaches passively your guard is down and as you say are interested in this further. Three things to be weary off.

      #1 Islams message and doctrine to ALL!!!!! I’ll say it again ALL!!!!!!!!! Muslims is jihad. To convert, enslave or kill ALL !!!!!!! I’ll say it again ALL!!!!!!!! unbelievers. No middle ground no nicey nice……

      #2 taqiyya. Islam is the only faith based political ideology that it’s prophet ordained lying and deceiving the unbeliever. Hence this POS with his propaganda distorted half truth comic book. Muslims are mandated to promote their ideology by any means necessary. That means lying and or deceiving. What can you trust from them ever.

      #3 Muslims state and quote compassionate verses and verses showing Muhammad was tolerant and peaceful with others. These early verses are before he became a murderous pedophile war lord and when his followers approached him asking why there were contradictions within his doctrines Muhammad created the usage of abrogation. meaning what was said earlier has now been replaced with something better. Hence is why we have no peaceful Islam but a militaristic ideology bent on the single goal of ensuring Islam reigns superior on every continent on this large round blue thing we call home. And they are to do it using any means available,

      So before you get all lovey dovey understand who they are.

      Report Post »  
  • Junter
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 5:01pm

    That’s got to be a nightmare to write.. male and female characters can’t be alone together, 5 pages per comic book dedicated to the heroes kneeling and praying, and the women superheros have to walk everywhere since they are not allowed to drive or be alone with male superheros burning rubber in their cool superhero hot rods.. oh and anytime these superheros think someone disparaged their faith they go on a bloody rampage.

    Report Post »  
    • SurhanSurhan
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:29pm

      Luke 19:27
      But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and kill them before me.

      That is what Jesus said to do to your enemy. They are following Jesus’ teaching!

      Report Post »  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 7:16pm

      Wrong again, Surhansurhan, Luke 19:27 is the last verse of “the parable of the pounds” — while spoken by Jesus, it was spoken as part of a story that Jesus was telling.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 7:22pm

      SurhanSurhan

      Muslims regard Jesus as a prophet. So what kind of deviltry are you up to?

      Report Post »  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 8:14pm

      Yo Surhan:
      As stated by “Chuck” a parable is not a fairy tale Jesus told to entertain the crowd. It is a story of a reality. You might want to consider the whole story, because I do believe based on how you just mis-represented the meaning those in the story that don’t end up to well are like you. Just so you don’t continue to be wrong it is not a call for christians to murder non-believers. We are called to love and warn. Consider that done!

      Report Post »  
    • Steve
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 4:32am

      SurhanSurhan / taqiyya is a deceiver. a liar. and a poor one at that.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:34pm

    Read the Koran! Read Mein Kampf! Compare!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Carol Ingian
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:29pm

    The 99…. I hear they have a good menu.
    What’s with Islam and stones, anyway?

    Report Post »  
  • AxelPhantom
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:29pm

    “the 99” huh? Sounds vaguely familiar.

    Report Post »  
    • BJC
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:38pm

      I sent a story on this comic book to the Blaze two days ago. I sent it to many sites. I have no doubt that 99 comic book has something to do with the “new” name for occupy wall street. Iran is supporting OWS also. We know that the Muslims are working underground through this White House. So I‘m happy to see the 99’ers getting the news they so deserve!!!

      Report Post »  
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