By — Arts Desk Arts Desk Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/its-a-bird-its-a-plane-its-the-99 Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s ‘The 99’ Arts Mar 20, 2009 5:13 PM EDT It looks like an ordinary American comic book; heroes wear brightly colored costumes and use their bulging muscles to conquer the forces of evil. But look again — one of the superheroes is wearing a burka. These are superheroes from the Islamic world, part of ‘The 99’ comic book series, so named because it features characters who embody the 99 attributes of Allah. Kuwaiti businessman Naif al-Mutawa is its creator. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Arts Desk Arts Desk
It looks like an ordinary American comic book; heroes wear brightly colored costumes and use their bulging muscles to conquer the forces of evil. But look again — one of the superheroes is wearing a burka. These are superheroes from the Islamic world, part of ‘The 99’ comic book series, so named because it features characters who embody the 99 attributes of Allah. Kuwaiti businessman Naif al-Mutawa is its creator. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now