Muslim Comic Series, “The 99,” Aims To Enter US Market
date October 14, 2011 at 2:50 pm
In an attempt to expand his Muslim comic, The 99, Naif Al-Mutawa has encountered two types of villains: Saudi Arabian censorship, and American, post-9/11 suspicion of Islam. Debuting in 2006, The 99 tells the tale of a band of superheroes fighting evil-doers the world over. The name—The 99— comes from the 99 characteristics attributed to God in the Quran—strength, wisdom, courage, and mercy among them. But since the series is based on Quranic archetypes, Al-Mutawa has run into roadblocks in the two primary markets for his product, even though it contains a secular storyline. Saudia Arabia resisted initially, but granted the comic acceptable (or “halal”) once Al-Mutawa received an investment from an Islamic investment bank. And despite purchasing the rights to the forthcoming animated series, U.S. cable network, The Hub, has postponed its airing following a stream of critical press.
Despite the continued trepidation, it hasn’t been all bad. In 2010, Al-Mutawa teamed up with DC Comics for a six-issue crossover joining the Justice League Of America with The 99, and he’s already raised $40 million investment for the expansion of the animated series, which is expected to launch next year in over 50 countries, including Saudia Arabia. Unfortunately, the United States is currently not one of them. What’s interesting is that—considering America’s rising Muslim population and a nationalistic pride in tolerance and accepting cultures of all types—Al-Mutawa’s comic is too taboo for 2011, despite a secular storyline.
[Source]
.
I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
Cheers!
