Islamic super heroes: Are there any?

[Crinos]

Well, anyways, I was thinking of an idea for a UN sanctioned super hero team with represenatives from different countries, and one of them is a female telepath from Turkey (is Turkey even in the UN? NM, not important) named Sultana. And I suddenly realized that for the life of me I cant think of a single Muslim super hero from either Marvel or DC.

So, are there any? And please dont turn this into a political debate.

[Phrozen]

There was the Arabian Knight in Marvel but he died.

[Sabrinaset]

Somehow I have this feeling that if the Big Two started creating Arab supertypes now, they'd just end up like Mohammed Hassan from the WWE. What about that DC Annual thing years ago where everyone ran into heroes from other countries? I think someone from there was Arab, but I dunno, maybe there wasn't...

Arabian Knight? From that Contest of Champions thing in the 80's? Please don't tell me he died by blowing himself up...

[Phrozen]

Somehow I have this feeling that if the Big Two started creating Arab supertypes now, they'd just end up like Mohammed Hassan from the WWE.

Arabian Knight? From that Contest of Champions thing in the 80's? Please don't tell me he died by blowing himself up...

No, he died from a mutant who when he used his powers would kill a random person on Earth.

[raoulduke]

Would Sand, first introduced in Grant Morrison's New X-Men, count?

[Captain Sarcasm]

There's Arabian Knight (Saudi Arabia) and Batal (Syria), both from Marvel... beyond that, I don't know. Wikipedia doesn't have any convenient listing.

[Sabrinaset]

It just occurred to me that the only Arabs I could think of were villains, The Jihad, from the Suicide Squad series that launched after Legends.

[ChaosBurnFlame]

there was a very badly done black muslim superhero in the Superman comics a few years back. He was extremely racist and never showed up again, thank heavens.

[Crinos]

there was a very badly done black muslim superhero in the Superman comics a few years back. He was extremely racist and never showed up again, thank heavens.

Oh yeah, they had that issue over at the Attica library. Muhammad X was his name I believe, could manipulate his own mass and gravity as well. Didnt realize he was Muslim though.

Glad I wasnt the only one who thought he was an ass.

[Charagon]

The New Mutants girl (well, technically she's a Hellion) is the only one I can think of. Pretty sure her name is Dust.

[BitVyper]

Tuxedo Kamen sort of wore the fashion for awhile, as I recall. I think he called himself, "White Knight," during that period.

[ChaosBurnFlame]

His whole arugement was BS, and the mere fact that Superman felt bad about it was bS.

BTW, a black guy changing his name to "MUhummad X", using the names of the two most prominent black muslems in the last century... odds are he's muslim...

I just reallly found it hilarious he was giving a speech about how bad guys don't show up into his side of town until Superman does..

When Superman GOT to that side of town persuing a supervillian!...

and Superman's retort to the whole racist swivel Muhummad X toted was "I'm not a white guy, I'm an alien".

EDIT: I would pay moeny to see a "Superman is a Dick-esque" cover of Superman sitting on one side of the street with Muhummad X Fighting Metallo and LOSING HORRIBLY with Superman eating a hotdog and saying "I'm sorry Muhummad X, but I can't go into your side of town."

[Radical]

Well, anyways, I was thinking of an idea for a UN sanctioned super hero team with represenatives from different countries, and one of them is a female telepath from Turkey (is Turkey even in the UN? NM, not important) named Sultana.

Is this a group you created from your own imagination, or did you read this somewhere?

Me, I've had this idea for an Arabian Nights-themed magical heroine called Sharizad. Wears a harem outfit, has a djinn/genie, the whole deal.

(...I'm being a racist asshole, aren't I? :embarrassment: )

[Captain Sarcasm]

Freedom Force introduced a muslim superhero into their second game. Her name was Green Genie, and she was... well, she had the Barbara Eden look, the powers of a toned down 5-D imp and she rode a flying carpet like the Silver Surfer rode a board.

[ChaosBurnFlame]

Freedom Force introduced a muslim superhero into their second game. Her name was Green Genie, and she was... well, she had the Barbara Eden look, the powers of a toned down 5-D imp and she rode a flying carpet like the Silver Surfer rode a board.
Yeah, but her offense powers sucked.

Man, did anyone else notice that, other than Tombstone, most of the new heroes were WAAY watered down?

heck, El Diablo was watered down like crazy!

I used to be able to solo entire missions with the dude and "Inferno"

[Crinos]

Is this a group you created from your own imagination, or did you read this somewhere?

Me, I've had this idea for an Arabian Nights-themed magical heroine called Sharizad. Wears a harem outfit, has a djinn/genie, the whole deal.

(...I'm being a racist asshole, aren't I? :embarrassment: )

Something I came up with on my own.

In actuality the UN superteam would only background characters to the super team I plan to focus my story on. (I plan to maybe sign up with Image or another indie comic company and start publishing when I get out of college and can find a competant artist to help me.) I wanted the UN superteam to have a diverse group and try to avoid the predictable stereotypes. (Yeah, I know the characters name is Sultana, dont get cross with me). I was just curious about other Muslim heroes/heroines I could use as a refrence.

And if you think Sultana is a weird idea, My plan was for the Canadian hero of the team to be a 100 ft tall robot named "Big One". But thats a story for another day.

[Alan2099]

Well, there's the Living Mummy
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/mummynka.htm

Golem opperated out of the Middle East for a while.
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/golem1.htm

[Sabrinaset]

I guess the only one I can think of is Alladin :)

Prince Ali ... Mighty is he ... Ali a -Bab-waaa....

[Charagon]

Me, I've had this idea for an Arabian Nights-themed magical heroine called Sharizad. Wears a harem outfit, has a djinn/genie, the whole deal.

(...I'm being a racist asshole, aren't I? :embarrassment: )

Captain America doesn't represent me.

[Shadowhawk]

I'm not sure of tha spelling but there was a Female in DC called the Janerssia.Never really thought about it before but I would venture that perhaps T'Challa being African would stand a good chance of being Muslim since that is tha major religion there.

[Phrozen]

I'm not sure of tha spelling but there was a Female in DC called the Janerssia.Never really thought about it before but I would venture that perhaps T'Challa being African would stand a good chance of being Muslim since that is tha major religion there.

Maybe in northern Africa but IIRC Wakanda is in Southern Africa.

[Sabrinaset]

I'm not sure of tha spelling but there was a Female in DC called the Janerssia.Never really thought about it before but I would venture that perhaps T'Challa being African would stand a good chance of being Muslim since that is tha major religion there.

Shadowhawk beat me to it :) The Janissary from the Planet DC crossovers in 2000, from JLA Annual #4, was from Turkey.

[Crinos]

well to be fair, Radicals idea is no more racist than, say, Neo Hollands Windmill Gundam.

I'm sorry, but that still makes me smile. I wish they'd air G Gundam again.

[Crinos]

Maybe in northern Africa but IIRC Wakanda is in Southern Africa.

And, IIRC, the National religion of Wakanda is the Panther god (or something along that line, I know its a pagan religion at least.)

Which would be why the Vatican sent Black Knight to invade it with Klaw and Bartoc and...

I'm sorry, I cant continue, my head would explode from the rage.

[Captain Sarcasm]

Golem opperated out of the Middle East for a while.
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/golem1.htm

Wouldn't Golem be Jewish?

[thethinker]

Wouldn't Golem be Jewish?

He should be, it is a Jewish legend.

[Sadyv]

There was a small comic that came out some years back called U.N. Force that is exactly the idea you are talking about Crinos.

THe United Kingdom's hero was a Knight who had magical armor and horse, who was hated by the Irish representitive, who could decrease his size, at the benefit of increasing his strengnth.

I recall their being a big brawl that started amongst the heroes, that started by the Israeli hero and the Palestinian hero, which escalated to the point that the East German Iron Man Clone built up his energy in his suit to try and blow them all up.

Marvel had a Arab team in a back up in the annuals some years back. Arabian Knight was a member, along with Black Razzor, a demon possessed character, and a couple others. The fought the Freedom Force in that backup story. If you are interested, I will try and dig them up to give you more detailed info.

[Melbourne Mew Mew]

Tuxedo Kamen sort of wore the fashion for awhile, as I recall. I think he called himself, "White Knight," during that period.

"Moonlight Knight"

I was impressed with Janissary in that JLA annual, would have liked to see more of her.

[Peter]

Captain America doesn't represent me.

Whereas Walkabout, the mutant kangaroo from the TMNT cartoon with the akubra and elephant gun, *totally* represents me :).

[Dizzy D]

The U.N.-team Stormwatch had an Islamic character in Damascus, but he was no longer in the Ellis-line-up.

I believe somebody from Psi-Force (New Universe) was from Afghanistan. So is Dust from the Hellions, soon to be New X-men.

Other members of Desert Sword (the Iraqi superhuman team that Freedom Force fought) were Aminedi (died due to the legacy virus) and Veil.

And there are probably some American heroes who are Islamic. Infinity Crusade may be useful for checking this.

[Peter]

The U.N.-team Stormwatch had an Islamic character in Damascus, but he was no longer in the Ellis-line-up.

I believe somebody from Psi-Force (New Universe) was from Afghanistan. So is Dust from the Hellions, soon to be New X-men.

Other members of Desert Sword (the Iraqi superhuman team that Freedom Force fought) were Aminedi (died due to the legacy virus) and Veil.

And there are probably some American heroes who are Islamic. Infinity Crusade may be useful for checking this.

Any from DC, though?

All the examples here seem to come from the MU.

[Dizzy D]

Any from DC, though?

All the examples here seem to come from the MU.

Stormwatch is not Marvel and you know I'm mostly reading Marvel and Wildstorm. (And I just remembered the Syrian superhero Balal or Bakal from New Warriors. Dead too though.)


DC's Milestone-line should have at least some Islamic characters though.

[Typo Lad]

there was a very badly done black muslim superhero in the Superman comics a few years back. He was extremely racist and never showed up again, thank heavens.

Before that there was Sinbad.

Yes, they named an Arabic hero Sinbad.

What's next? A tredneck hero named Paul Bunyan?

Marvel had the Red Rajah, but he was a bad guy.

[Captain Sarcasm]

Whereas Walkabout, the mutant kangaroo from the TMNT cartoon with the akubra and elephant gun, *totally* represents me :).

And as a Canadian, I feel adequatly represented by an irate midget, an orange hairy naked guy and a pointy ball of fuzzy jobber aura.

[BlairH]

Well, anyways, I was thinking of an idea for a UN sanctioned super hero team with represenatives from different countries, and one of them is a female telepath from Turkey (is Turkey even in the UN? NM, not important) named Sultana. And I suddenly realized that for the life of me I cant think of a single Muslim super hero from either Marvel or DC.

So, are there any? And please dont turn this into a political debate.

I almost vomited at this. It reeks of being too PC. A UN sanctioned superhero team that includes "token Islamic man"? No. What we need is just a regular hero who happens to be a Muslim, not one who is part of some UN sanctioned (throws up) team.

[Typo Lad]

Gee Blair, maybe the point of his story is to expose the flaws in a UN sponsership or somesuch.

Don't you think you're bing a bit harsh, considering you have no idea what his intent is?

[BlairH]

Gee Blair, maybe the point of his story is to expose the flaws in a UN sponsership or somesuch.

Don't you think you're bing a bit harsh, considering you have no idea what his intent is?

Yeah, but it's still the whole "token" aspect of it. It seems a bit crap that the only way to have an Islamic hero is for him to be part of an ensemble cast.

[Peter]

And as a Canadian, I feel adequatly represented by an irate midget, an orange hairy naked guy and a pointy ball of fuzzy jobber aura.

Okay, I know who the irate midget and the orange hairy naked guy are, but who's the pointy ball of fuzzy jobber aura?

[Peter]

Yeah, but it's still the whole "token" aspect of it. It seems a bit crap that the only way to have an Islamic hero is for him to be part of an ensemble cast.

Well... wouldn't that be the *point* to a global -- and thusly ethnically-diverse -- team of superheroes? You'd have members from all across the world by default?

Nothing token about it.

[Shem the Penman]

Hasn't DC already done the "international heroes sponsored by the UN" thing with the Global Guardians?

Back to topic: Blood Syndicate from Milestone included a black Muslim character, Wise Son.

[BlairH]

Well... wouldn't that be the *point* to a global -- and thusly ethnically-diverse -- team of superheroes? You'd have members from all across the world by default?

Nothing token about it.

I don't mean "token" as in "we need an Islamic guy!". I mean "token" to the extent that the only book that features an Islamic character would be this "TEAM UN" book. Ensemble books tend to wheel out stereotypes (Kurt Wagner anyone?). Why not have a book that focuses on the character himself?

[Peter]

Why not have a book that focuses on the character himself?

Well, for starters, because the thread starter was specifically talking about a team-book? :)

[Michael P]

I don't mean "token" as in "we need an Islamic guy!". I mean "token" to the extent that the only book that features an Islamic character would be this "TEAM UN" book. Ensemble books tend to wheel out stereotypes (Kurt Wagner anyone?). Why not have a book that focuses on the character himself?
How is Nightcrawler a stereotype? He's not fat, he's not an alcoholic, he doesn't wear lederhosen all the time... He's actually a pretty real character.

[PatrickG]

Didn't Grant Morrison create a female mutant with a bomb-themed name?

She wore the veil and a skintight bodysuit. Could make things blow up by touching them?

I remembering him talking about it.

Sounds edgier and edgier the more I think about it.

In any case... Note how few Jewish super-heroes there are in an industry whose biggest names are very often Jewish.

I'm thinking of Kitty Pryde, Gim Allon and Barry Allen as the biggest name ones. And I think it's been an afterthought in all three.

I think the characters are supposed to represent us all even if they don't reflect us all.

[Loren]

Josiah X, from Marvel's The Crew (and the son of the black Captain America from The Truth), was Muslim. He was a Muslim preacher, in fact.

And although I don't think it's been confirmed, I'd say there's reason to believe that Patriot from Young Avengers might be Muslim, since Josiah X is his uncle.

[Michael P]

Didn't Grant Morrison create a female mutant with a bomb-themed name?

She wore the veil and a skintight bodysuit. Could make things blow up by touching them?

I remembering him talking about it.

Sounds edgier and edgier the more I think about it.

Not quite. He created Dust, who can turn her body into, well, Dust. Because she's in a burkha, he commented that we only ever see her eyes, just like the DC character the Human Bomb. This led to some confusion.

[The Dosadi Experiment]

Dust makes me cry.

Dust was introduced as your typical Afghani girl straight from the horrors of an not yet liberated Afghanistan. She wore a Burqa, because that's what really really really really devout muslim girls wear, a burqa.

other than her wearing a burqa there's very little about her that's actually grounded in reality. She's only a muslim in a very shallow sense of the word. She wears a burqa, and somehow if you wear one you're a devout muslim, nevermind that if she really was a devout muslim, the type you'd find in Afghanistan under the rule of those shitbags, and being thorougly content with that situation, she'd behave in a far more radical manner than she did, especially in the way she would interact with males, specifically non-muslim males.

Besides does she even have a personality, or is she just Dust, the muslim girl who wears a Burqa and stands in the back ground saying nothing?

[Typo Lad]

TDE: Before she makes you cry, ambye read NEW MUTANTS and HELLIONS.

I heart Dust.

[The Dosadi Experiment]

TDE: Before she makes you cry, ambye read NEW MUTANTS and HELLIONS.

I heart Dust.

hence the question at the end of the reply

does she have a personality, or is she just wallpaper. I only know the Dust from New X-men, under GM's tenure.

[Typo Lad]

hence the question at the end of the reply

does she have a personality, or is she just wallpaper. I only know the Dust from New X-men, under GM's tenure.

Under GM's tenure she was a background character by nature.

Under the writers who's names I cannot recall who did New Mutants, she is a fascinating character.

Try the trades.

[The Dosadi Experiment]

Under GM's tenure she was a background character by nature.

Under the writers who's names I cannot recall who did New Mutants, she is a fascinating character.

Try the trades.

I tried a couple of issues, in which she wasn't present, and found them to be boring and not my cup of tea, so I'll pass on the trades.

[Shellhead]

A muslim character wouldn't necessarily need to come from the Mideast. An existing Marvel or DC hero could have an interesting storyline that culminated in their converting to Islam.

For example, Sam Wilson, aka the Falcon, was originally a small-time criminal, who was later brainwashed and then became Cap's sidekick. While that whole story was kind of crappy, it is canon, and plausibly could leave Sam feeling a kind of spiritual void. Then he meets (okay, it's comics... he saves) an attractive woman, maybe an african-american woman, who just happens to be muslim. They date and Sam gets serious, but discovers that muslim women cannot marry non-muslims (btw, the reverse is not true, muslim men can marry non-muslim women), so he starts to consider converting.

One of the best cyberpunk books that I ever read was When Gravity Fails, by George Alec Effinger. It takes place in a fictious middle-eastern city in a decadent future, and the main character is a small-time private eye with a drug addiction and a stripper girlfriend. A local crimelord who is also a serious muslim takes him on as a protege of sorts, gradually involving the protagonist in both some moral gray areas and some devout muslim practices. It was especially interesting to watch this cynical and streetwise character gradually see the benefits of adhering to the pillars of islam.

Seeing Sam Wilson undergo a similar spiritual journey could be fascinating. Some of the other Marvel heroes might react with suspicion at first, or even bigotry, leading to some interesting discussions between characters and also between fans.

[Archyduke]

he New Mutants girl (well, technically she's a Hellion) is the only one I can think of. Pretty sure her name is Dust.

I think Haroun ibn Sallah al-Rahman , aka Jetstream from the original Hellions was Islamic as well. I don't recall him getting too much development though, which is too bad. He was pretty cool in his first few appearances.

Also, I never knew Barry Allen was Jewish. Completely no idea. Neat.

[Typo Lad]

Also, I never knew Barry Allen was Jewish. Completely no idea. Neat.

Someone decided "Allen" was a Jewish name, and tagged it on.

[cactusmaac]

Seeing Sam Wilson undergo a similar spiritual journey could be fascinating. Some of the other Marvel heroes might react with suspicion at first, or even bigotry, leading to some interesting discussions between characters and also between fans.


Heh. It would be interesting to see how a newly-converted Sam Wilson would react to the typical boob-sock, fetish model gear of the typical Marvel superheroine.

[Donald M.]

Someone decided "Allen" was a Jewish name, and tagged it on.

Maybe because of Woody Allen?

Of course, Woody Allen's real name is Konisberg, so . . . yeah.

[Donald M.]

Heh. It would be interesting to see how a newly-converted Sam Wilson would react to the typical boob-sock, fetish model gear of the typical Marvel superheroine.

Why would he suddenly react any differently than he has before? Not like it's new to him.

[Slam_Bradley]

Someone decided "Allen" was a Jewish name, and tagged it on.


Who the heck was this?

[Shellhead]

Heh. It would be interesting to see how a newly-converted Sam Wilson would react to the typical boob-sock, fetish model gear of the typical Marvel superheroine.

I don't think he would instantly turn into a repressed fundamentalist. The protagonist of When Gravity Fails continued his relationship with his stripper girlfriend even as he turned to Islam, although he gradually got more strict in his outlook.

This could be a chance to really allow Sam to grow as a character. Many solo titles fail because the writer never develops a decent supporting cast. Here, we could have Sam's muslim girlfriend, some sort of spiritual mentor who guides him through his conversion, and then people involved with a charitable organization that Sam donates money to. He could start a soup kitchen, or a homeless shelter, maybe have a cameo from the notorious D-Man.

Sam could also struggle with his identity as an american versus his new faith, and once he is on steadier ground, have some serious discussions with his good friend Steve Rogers. There would be a chance to dispel some myths about islam... for example, a worshipper is exempt from Ramadan while travelling or recovering from either sickness or injury.

Another interesting storyline would involve Sam's eventual journey to Mecca. As a former U.S. Senator, there would be interesting difficulties and controversy involving such a journey.

[Pil]

Back in StormWatch #30-32 (H.K. Proger's run) there was an Islamic group of spb terrorists called Heaven's Fist, but no heroes IIRC.

Broadway Comics had a very short lived character named Mosque (http://weirdspace.dk/Broadway%20Comics/Yusef.htm).

[Donald M.]

Back in StormWatch #30-32 (H.K. Proger's run) there was an Islamic group of spb terrorists called Heaven's Fist, but no heroes IIRC.

Broadway Comics had a very short lived character named Mosque (http://weirdspace.dk/Broadway%20Comics/Yusef.htm).

Blood S.C.R.E.A.M.?

Sheesh.

Hey guys, you're supposed to rip off good comics.

[SOGG]

<snipped for space>
Another interesting storyline would involve Sam's eventual journey to Mecca. As a former U.S. Senator, there would be interesting difficulties and controversy involving such a journey.


Dude, the buildup is so brilliant. Who's doing pencils?

[Shellhead]

Dude, the buildup is so brilliant. Who's doing pencils?

Good question. This is just an idea I came up with reading this thread a while ago, so I'm just making this up as I go. Since this series would be dealing with personal growth and morality, I'd like to see an artist who can keep up with a monthly schedule but still do expressive faces with the characters. Don Kramer? Barry Kitson?

[Dizzy D]

Back in StormWatch #30-32 (H.K. Proger's run) there was an Islamic group of spb terrorists called Heaven's Fist, but no heroes IIRC.
.

There was: the aforementioned Damascus of Stormwatch took their attack rather personal.

[StoneGold]

I just did a quick search, the only references I can find to Barry being Jewish is a Wikipedia entry under dispute, and a few people who make reference to they believed Mark Waid commented somewhere that both Wally and Barry were Jewish, but couldn't find the reference.

[Donald M.]

I just did a quick search, the only references I can find to Barry being Jewish is a Wikipedia entry under dispute, and a few people who make reference to they believed Mark Waid commented somewhere that both Wally and Barry were Jewish, but couldn't find the reference.

West, now there's a Jewish name!

[StoneGold]

West, now there's a Jewish name!
Someone tell West3man he's a member of the tribe.

[Typo Lad]

I just did a quick search, the only references I can find to Barry being Jewish is a Wikipedia entry under dispute, and a few people who make reference to they believed Mark Waid commented somewhere that both Wally and Barry were Jewish, but couldn't find the reference.

Wally?

Wally's so WASP it's not even funny!

[SOGG]

Good question. This is just an idea I came up with reading this thread a while ago, so I'm just making this up as I go. Since this series would be dealing with personal growth and morality, I'd like to see an artist who can keep up with a monthly schedule but still do expressive faces with the characters. Don Kramer? Barry Kitson?

I mean, esp. since he's got that whole history of actually studying other religions. His parents were deeply spiritual (if you believe Busiek) and encouraged him to make up his mind. He also has spurned the Avengers when they asked him to be the 'Earth's Mightiest Token'.

I think you've got a winner here. I mean, I'd read it.

[Shellhead]

I mean, esp. since he's got that whole history of actually studying other religions. His parents were deeply spiritual (if you believe Busiek) and encouraged him to make up his mind. He also has spurned the Avengers when they asked him to be the 'Earth's Mightiest Token'.

I think you've got a winner here. I mean, I'd read it.

I'd love to see this done, too. Is this something that Quesada would go for?

[Royal]

There was a small comic that came out some years back called U.N. Force that is exactly the idea you are talking about Crinos.

THe United Kingdom's hero was a Knight who had magical armor and horse, who was hated by the Irish representitive, who could decrease his size, at the benefit of increasing his strengnth.

I recall their being a big brawl that started amongst the heroes, that started by the Israeli hero and the Palestinian hero, which escalated to the point that the East German Iron Man Clone built up his energy in his suit to try and blow them all up.

Marvel had a Arab team in a back up in the annuals some years back. Arabian Knight was a member, along with Black Razzor, a demon possessed character, and a couple others. The fought the Freedom Force in that backup story. If you are interested, I will try and dig them up to give you more detailed info.

The Palestinian was Desert Storm.

Glad someone saw that. My cousin's friend created that.

[Royal]

Before anyone says it, Ajeet Patel from Team Achelles wasn't arab. He was a shek(spelling).

[Donald M.]

Before anyone says it, Ajeet Patel from Team Achelles wasn't arab. He was a shek(spelling).

You mean a sikh?

[Brandon Hanvey]

AK Comics (http://www.akcomics.com/) recently started publishing comics about Middle Eastern super-heroes.

[Royal]

You mean a sikh?

Thank you. a sikh.

[Kurt Busiek]

His parents were deeply spiritual (if you believe Busiek) and encouraged him to make up his mind.

I don't think I've ever said anything about the Falcon's parents, actually.

I'm not sure I've ever even thought about them.

kdb

[Shellhead]

I would love to see somebody take this idea and run with it. (Yeah, I'm looking at you, Mr. Busiek. ;) ) I'm not sure if Quesada would be receptive to this idea, and I definitely don't have the ability to write this myself, so I'm giving this idea away if anyone wants it. I think it would be exciting, to deal with some very timely topics with a Marvel character who has his own interesting history. It would be bold and innovative, and I think it would attract some extra attention in the media.

[SOGG]

I don't think I've ever said anything about the Falcon's parents, actually.

I'm not sure I've ever even thought about them.

kdb

Hmm. Maybe I'm thinking Geof Johns? It was that Avengers issue where Gyrich was being spied on by the Falcon. Sam also apprehended the Scarecrow in that issue.

Edit: Apologies. Didn't mean to put words in your mouth.

[Calybos]

As noted already, AK Comics (http://www.akcomics.com/indexenglish.htm) is a set of titles specifically about Middle-Eastern superheroes... though they deliberately avoid mentioning any specific religious faith in them.

In Marvel, the New Warriors (led by Justice, himself Jewish) have encountered Israeli superhero Sabra and Syrian champion Batal. Their religions aren't specified, but does anyone care to guess...?

In DC, of course, there are the Global Guardians, including Seraph (of Israel--definitely Jewish, given his powers) and Cascade (of Indonesia--religion unknown).

Grant Morrison worked on Vimanarana, a teen Muslim hero (http://www.altmuslim.com/perm.php?id=1415_0_26_0_C).

Of course, there are all types of religions present in various countries (the U.S. among them), so any number of heroes may or may not be Jewish or Muslim in their views. It seldom comes up in comics.

[Michael P]

Hmm. Maybe I'm thinking Geof Johns? It was that Avengers issue where Gyrich was being spied on by the Falcon. Sam also apprehended the Scarecrow in that issue.

Edit: Apologies. Didn't mean to put words in your mouth.
That would be Johns. The scene where all of the birds come screaming for Scarecrow is great.

[SOGG]

That would be Johns. The scene where all of the birds come screaming for Scarecrow is great.

Yeah, dude. "Shh. Quiet. I'm hunting"

[SOGG]

Grant Morrison worked on Vimanarana, a teen Muslim hero (http://www.altmuslim.com/perm.php?id=1415_0_26_0_C).


Not sure how I forgot about Vimanerama. It was great.

Will be checking out Ak comics.

[Typo Lad]

Sabra's Jewish. In fact, the New Warriors story is the first one that established her as actually being non-secular. Justice snaps her out of hypnosis by recieting the Morners Prayer.

[SOGG]

That AK Comics link is interesting. If anything, it seems to explore concepts that aren't seen as popular representations of middle eastern views.

[Shellhead]

I would still like to see Sam Wilson become a muslim. It would take decent writing to move him along that spiritual journey, but the payoff would be great. Captain America is the most straight-forward symbol of America in all of comics, and so a dialogue between him and an islamic hero would be interesting. Make that islamic hero the Falcon, and their shared past adventures would tend to make that a respectful dialogue between two heroes with solid reputations.

The name Falcon has no direct connection whatsoever to Islam or the Mideast, so we avoid the shallow stereotyping of characters like Shamrock or Arabian Knight. Since Sam was a U.S. Senator, there would be no question of his patriotism, and his perspective as an american muslim would make it easier for both writer and readers to get into. Any early errors about Islam could be explained away as Sam's misconceptions before he learns enough about his new faith.

[SOGG]

I would still like to see Sam Wilson become a muslim. It would take decent writing to move him along that spiritual journey, but the payoff would be great. Captain America is the most straight-forward symbol of America in all of comics, and so a dialogue between him and an islamic hero would be interesting. Make that islamic hero the Falcon, and their shared past adventures would tend to make that a respectful dialogue between two heroes with solid reputations.

The name Falcon has no direct connection whatsoever to Islam or the Mideast, so we avoid the shallow stereotyping of characters like Shamrock or Arabian Knight. Since Sam was a U.S. Senator, there would be no question of his patriotism, and his perspective as an american muslim would make it easier for both writer and readers to get into. Any early errors about Islam could be explained away as Sam's misconceptions before he learns enough about his new faith.

STOPPIT! It's getting way too cool and we're setting ourselves up for disappointment when it doesn't get printed.

[Crinos]

I almost vomited at this. It reeks of being too PC. A UN sanctioned superhero team that includes "token Islamic man"? No. What we need is just a regular hero who happens to be a Muslim, not one who is part of some UN sanctioned (throws up) team.

The idea was to have a big JLU/Avengers style team to be kind of a backdrop to the team I intend to write about.

And in a world where super heroes and villains exist, why WOULDNT the united nations have a team of them to take care of large scale problems?

Oh, and I have every intention of having Muslim super heroes who arent a part of said team, I was just using that as an example.

But why am I bothering to explain this to you? You obviously have nothing better to do than to insult and belittle people, rather than help with the discussion at hand, so honestly I really dont care what you think of me or my ideas. This was just for posterity.

[SOGG]

The idea was to have a big JLU/Avengers style team to be kind of a backdrop to the team I intend to write about.

And in a world where super heroes and villains exist, why WOULDNT the united nations have a team of them to take care of large scale problems?

Oh, and I have every intention of having Muslim super heroes who arent a part of said team, I was just using that as an example.
<snipped for space>

Dude, you should totally check out that AK comics link above. Some of the ideas are cool -- gives you hints on what things concern people there. Like the 'City of All Faiths'.

[Crinos]

Dude, you should totally check out that AK comics link above. Some of the ideas are cool -- gives you hints on what things concern people there. Like the 'City of All Faiths'.

I may later I wont have my own computer until saturday (Moving into dorms.)

And thank you for the link, I'm sure that it will be very helpful.

Basically, my for the hero group is that every couple of years each country in the world holds a sort of special super hero olympics in order to choose their countries next represenative for the UN team. It all depends on the skills and powers of the competitors. So some of the members are the token "Captain Britan, Captain America, Canadaman" type heroes, and some of the members are guys like spider-man or Thor: There just superheroes who happen to live in and operate in other countries.

So, thanks again SOGG.

[SOGG]

And thank you for the link, I'm sure that it will be very helpful.

<snipped for space>
So, thanks again SOGG.

Um... Calybos did that.....
Still like your idea. It has a very Golden Age feel to it. (Like the Batmen of Many Nations)

[Pól Rua]

I almost vomited at this. It reeks of being too PC. A UN sanctioned superhero team that includes "token Islamic man"? No. What we need is just a regular hero who happens to be a Muslim, not one who is part of some UN sanctioned (throws up) team.

What? Like Ellis' Stormwatch?
Yeah, 'cos that REEKED of tokenism.

[Grazzt]

Okay, I know who the irate midget and the orange hairy naked guy are, but who's the pointy ball of fuzzy jobber aura?

Wolverine. Don't worry, he's a kinda esoteric character. ;)

And I'm surprised the gay Quebecois wasn't mentioned in that list.

[Mr. Croup]

Next September, and Kuwaiti publisher is coming out with a comic called The 99. It is about a group of people, who gain powers that mirror one of the aspects of Allah

[Alex]

Gee Blair, maybe the point of his story is to expose the flaws in a UN sponsership or somesuch.

Don't you think you're bing a bit harsh, considering you have no idea what his intent is?
Ifhe isn't, i am going to trademark the name "Token Islamic Man" for my own uses.
He's always getting mad at how his villian, Osama Bin Killin, gives a bad name to muslim superheros.
Then theres my old character, the Republicannon, who has to get along with fellow hero, the Bleeding Heart. With their powers combined, they form a gigantic eagle, with a gun, and a Noam Chomsky book. I haven't Figured out who he fights yet....Possibly a giant snake with similar weapons.

[Pinball]

Before that there was Sinbad.

Yes, they named an Arabic hero Sinbad.
hmmm...
Real name Davood Nassur, Qurac-American teenager, has a bit of telekinetic power which is amplified a thousandfold by this ultra-tech belt he wears?

He was pretty neat.

What's next? A tredneck hero named Paul Bunyan?

Oi! I resemble that remark.
A Minnesota superhero would be neat, somebody like Garrison Keillor, or Frances McDormand from Fargo, or even that Satanic Vampire governor :p

[Ultraman Max]

Grant Morrison worked on Vimanarana, a teen Muslim hero (http://www.altmuslim.com/perm.php?id=1415_0_26_0_C).


Ali's brother was muslim but the hero characters in Vinamarama were of Hindu orgin, the lead one was even named Rama which is a Hindu deity.

Edit: Though there was a mixture of both in the mini. I read it as Morrison and Bond doing a Jack Kirby' Thor like take on the figures used.