Mashael A. AlhajeriMay 24, 2006

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Dr.Dr.Dr. Mashael A. AlhajeriMashael A. AlhajeriMashael A. Alhajeri

P riv at e L aw Dep art m en tS c ho o l o f L awK u w ait U n iv ersit yP O B o x 3 3 9 7 7 , R aw d a 7 3 4 6 0 , K u w aitT el: ( + 9 6 5 ) 9 9 2 2 8 5 8 5E - Mail: Mashael.alhajeri@ k u .ed u .k w

Dr. Mashael A. AlhajeriMay 24, 2006

Mr. Naif's account of this venture is impressive … or is it?

Although "The 99" seems to be a noble and plausible effort, I am afraid that, in my capacity as an ex-comic geek, I have to say the idea is not as original as it seems.

Let me explain:

Back in the 1960s, DC Comics – the Microsoft or the Coca-Cola, if you will, of the comic industry - gavethe world all its superheroes through what was formerly known as the 'Justice League of America - JLA'(ie Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and the rest).

SUPERHEROESAND THEOLOGICAL IDEOLOGY:

The Unholy, @? #!$&@* Matrimony!

Mashael A. AlhajeriMay 24, 2006

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Marvel Comics, another 'comic factory`, also came up with another set of characters at about the sametime, known as 'The X-Men', to rival the Justice League of America. The X-Men are a group of young'mutants'; human beings that through a sudden leap in evolution (such as genetic modifications) or due toan external stimulus (like exposure to an extra-terrestrial stone or radiation) ended up with abilities notpossessed by regular people. As such, they all have latent superhuman powers which generally manifestthemselves at their teenage years. This group of good-willed mutant young men and women was broughttogether and led by a certain 'Professor Charles Xavier', with the noble mission of protecting the worldfrom counterpart mutants (the evil ones), and helping the weak.

Rings a bell?

No? Ok, go to the 99 website, browse through the list of characters (and do pay particular attention to theirpowers and their respective sources) – The fact is that 'The 99' are the Arab/Muslim version of the 'X-Men', with some identity modalities.

Elementary, my dear Watson.

The association is unmistakable. Even Bader could tell you this (he is the generation's authority in comics.Himself affected by the X-gene?!).

As Mr. Naif has a license to publish Marvel comics in the Arab World, I simply find it far-fetched that heis not aware of the X-Men characters (Mind you, even his letter shows that he is an avid X-Men reader; heuses the same rhetoric).

Although I would not go as far as discussing matters of copyright infringements and intellectual propertyissues - because I am sure Mr. Naif had these sorted out - there are, undeniably, some moral and ethicalissues involved with the mere notion of comic characters adaptation. But that is fine with me really. Froma world-embracing bona fide perspective, one might even call it 'a variation on the theme', provided that noclaims as to originality are made and that the association with the X-Men is made explicitly clear to theArab audience.

At any event, tampering with authentic, well-established cultural institutions to produce new versions onlyreveals lack of imagination and inability to innovate. As far as comics are concerned, I, as a veteran comicfan, can tell you that it never works (remember Batman and Robin – where is robin now?).

But then, what do I know, perhaps I'm just making this look more serious than it really is. I mean, theargument above suggests a prior knowledge in the evolution and chronology of comic characters, a pre-requisite that is not given within Arab readership.

Now, over the 'philosophy' behind this venture:

It is absolutely fine, even plausible, to introduce new superheroes, but why demoralize the role of ourtraditional ones? Superman and his clan have always stood for integrity, honesty, solidarity, and helpingthose in distress. These values are 'human common denominators', on which the whole world is atconsensus. No one culture has a monopoly over these ideals. Mr. Naif should fine-tune his compass; hisreal problem is not with Superman and his friends, it is rather with 'Johnny Bravo', 'Ed, Edd and Eddy'','My Name is Weasel', 'Cow and Chicken' and the long list of idiotic losers that cartoon Network and thelikes are promoting (the language used in these cartoons …).

On a different note, I could not help but noticing that there is an emergent tendency within Muslims toisolate themselves from the world. Mr. Naif is but a wave in the tide. Why does everything have to be

Mashael A. AlhajeriMay 24, 2006

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'Islamized' these days, I ask you? … Islamic music (anasheed), Islamic apparel (short islami)… and nowIslamic comic characters? The desire to stand aside and cut ourselves, as Muslims, off the rest of the worldis a very naïve marketing strategy for Islam. It conveys the message that this religion is in an ab initioconflict with every trivial aspect of life, that everything around us has to be 'customized' or 'adapted' tomeet Islamic teachings, or that Islam is alien to this planet, and that it is incapable of introducing a properadaptation process. Some how, I cannot help thinking that the alienation here is a subjective attribute; it isonly in the minds of Mr. 99 and his likes. It seems to me that Muslims of such caliber have some serious`compatibility` issues with the world. The sad fact is that many of them are involved in the shaping of ouryoungsters' minds. Unlike you, I think this is a sad reality; one that does not merit the celebration.Superheroes are not called so just for their ability to manifest abnormal physical powers; they are primarilydepicted as Super for their ability to transcend all cultural and religious barriers. If Superman (and the X-Men for all that matters) are good enough for children from the States, Singapore, India, Germany,Paraguay, Ivory Cost and so forth, then why can't they be just as fine for Muslim children? What is it thatmakes our children, out of all the children of the world, so fragile and in constant need of this so called'protection'?

Muslim superheroes?

I laugh at the mere thought. Even the depiction is self-contradictory. Why? Because superheroes, myfriend, and contrary to the wide-spread belief, are no fictitious characters at all. Superheroes are real. Allthat is there to it is that they are an exaggerated, caricatured representation of their surroundings. In otherwords, they are the product of their cultural environment; and as such they can only thrive in cultures thatare fertile with higher values and moral convictions: freedom, independence, hard work, confidence,transparency, self-restraint, trust, power control, sophistication. Sadly, the Arab/Muslim culture, at least atthis degrading point in our modern history, could not produce a single superhero – … let alone 99!

Muslim superheroes? …

I don't think so … `Super Losers` would be more to the point.

Addendum:Did I mention that, even on the X-Men Islamization front, Mr. Naif has been precedented!?1 The firstIslamic character to join the X-Men is a female mutant from Afghanistan; her name was 'Dusk'!

Signed:

Mashael;Wonder Woman

1 Just in case you are wondering about the reason behind the red underling, this is to let you know that 'MS WORD does notrecognize the word 'precedented' because it is not even a word – or is a 'mutant' word, if you wish!

Mashael A. AlhajeriMay 24, 2006

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My Own Superhero Profile:Planet: EarthPowers: Wasting valuable time discussing stupid issuesEnemies: Chocolate and uninspired law students (they could be fatal … !)

Postscript: I will have you know that I've cancelled a scheduled faculty meeting this morning just toproduce this silly paper. What is a bit consoling, though, is that I really enjoyed writing it – so I feel lesspathetic!!