altmuslim
 |
|
Wonder jinn powers, activate!
|
Ever wish there was someone you could turn to when ancient demons threaten to wreak havoc on your neighbourhood? Someone you could… relate to? A new comic book series released last month, Vimanarama, features a teenaged Muslim superhero named Ali (complete with a “funky and gorgeous” arranged fiancé) from rain-soaked Bradford, England where he lives with his cornershop-owning father. Possibly more surprising is that the debut comic was launched by one of America’s “big two” comic publishers (though such fans aren’t your average Joe) in February, where it was well received by critics. British creator Grant Morrison is already well known (at 25) for his contributions to X-Men, Batman, and Superman comics. For his latest work, he carefully studied Islamic theology and history and became inspired by the debates about Islam and the West that characterised discourse after the September 11th attacks. Harrison then made sure the characters represented the diversity of people in Bradford. “There are devout Muslims in the book and couldn’t-care-less Muslims, so everyone gets a shout,” says Morrison. In Vimanarama, the chief protagonist, Ali, finds himself at odds with his cross cultural upbringing and inadvertently unleashes a subterranean army of fossil demons (well, it is a comic book). Also, artist and co-creator Philip Bond has mixed up the Hindu and Muslim symbolism a bit (though it is probably fairer to British Asians and South Asians as a whole). But Morrison stands by his work, even though he acknowledges that “Islam frowns on representational art and I’d imagine that for some sects comics are possibly the most blasphemous art form imaginable”. Vimanarama is for “anyone who’s ever been a teenager in the grip of immense and ridiculous forces beyond one’s control and understanding,” says Morrison. “Which is surely everybody who gets past the age of 12.”
Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com. He is based in London, England.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In