The 99 and the Superhero World
For comic book readers in Arab countries, the world often looks like this: superheroes save American cities, battle beasts in Tokyo and even on occasion solve crimes in the French countryside. But few care about saving the Arab world.
If Naif al-Mutawa (creator of The 99) has his way, that is about to change. Young Arabs will soon be poring over a new group - and new genre - of superheroes like Jabbar, Mumita and Ramzi Razem, all aimed specifically at young Muslim readers and focusing on Muslim virtues.
- Hassan M Fattah, New York Times, 22/1/2006.
The 99 are a team of superheroes inspired by Islam that fight to protect the world. They’re a hit, and not just in the Middle East. They debuted in the US in 2007 and have even had a crossover comic series with the Justice League!
NOTE: The comic started in 2006, so similarities with the Occupy movement’s 99% are coincidence. The concept of The 99 is based on the 99 attributes of Allah.
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