The 99

From Hey Kids Comics

The 99
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Publication information
Publisher Teshkeel Comics
Schedule Monthly
Format Ongoing series
Genre Superhero
Publication date August 2007
Creative team
Writer(s) Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa
Stuart Moore
Creator(s) Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa
Stuart Moore
John McCrea

The 99 (Arabic language: الـ ٩٩ al 99‎), also written as The Ninety-Nine (Arabic language: التسعة وتسعون al-tisa'a wa tisaun‎), is a comic book published by Teshkeel Comics, featuring a team of superheroes based on Islamic culture and religion.

The series is a creation of Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa,[1] founder and C.E.O. of Teshkeel Media Group. The creative team for The 99 is composed of comic book industry veterans such as Fabian Nicieza, Stuart Moore, June Brigman, Dan Panosian, John McCrea, Ron Wagner, Sean Parsons and Monica Kubina – all of whom have worked at both Marvel and DC Comics.

Although the series is based on Islamic concepts, it is promoted as appealing to universal virtues, and the religion of each character is not made explicit.[2] thumb|Doctor Ramzi Razem The character cast consists of Dr. Ramzi, a scholar and social activist, the 99 youngsters (some of them children), with special abilities conferred to them by "Noor" gemstones, and a set of evil characters led by the power-hungry Rughal, who seeks to steal the power of the Noor stones and their bearers for his personal benefit. Rughal is intended by the creators to be an analogue to Osama bin Laden, with his misuse of Islam and his dictatorial intentions.[3] The storyline pits the 99 led by Dr. Ramzi in their pursuit of social justice and peace against the forces of chaos and evil, overcoming ever new challenges - as typical of this genre of superhero comics.

Publication history[edit | edit source]

An Origins Preview was first published in the Middle East in May 2006, followed by a US reprinting in July 2007.[4] The 99 #1 was printed in September 2006 in the Middle East and was published in the US in August 2007 as First Light.[5] Subsequent issues printed monthly to The 99 #7 within the USA and is ongoing monthly internationally. Indonesian and Indian editions are ongoing on a monthly basis.

A 6-issue crossover mini-series with the Justice League and The 99 began publication in October 2010.[6]

Characters[edit | edit source]

The 99 are ordinary teenagers and adults from across the globe, who come into possession of one of the ninety-nine magical mystical Noor Stones (Ahjar Al Noor, Stones of Light) and find themselves empowered in a specific manner. All dilemmas faced by The 99 will be overcome through the combined powers and capabilities of three or more members. Through this, The 99 series aims to promote values such as cooperation and unity throughout the Islamic world. Although the series is not religious, it aims to communicate Islamic virtues which are, as viewed by Dr. Al-Mutawa, universal in nature.

The concept of The 99 is based on the 99 attributes of Allah. Many of these names refer to characteristics that can be possessed by human individuals. For example – generosity, strength, faithfulness, wisdom are all virtues encouraged by a number of faiths.

In compliance with Islamic tradition, the Arabic version of the aliases of each of the 99 is written without the definite article "Al-", because use of this precise form is exclusive to Allah. This serves to remind that The 99 are only mortals, and sets them as human role models, with their qualities and weaknesses.

The members of The 99 who have been revealed so far are:

  • Aleem - The All-Knowing
Naser Ali; precognition
  • Baeth - The Sender
Fadi Hassem; teleportation of inorganic objects
  • Baqi - The Everlasting
Hatem Al Johary; superhuman stamina, potential immortality
  • Bari - The Healer
Haroun Ahrens; tactile healing abilities
  • Batina - The Hidden
Rola Hadramy; can render herself and others unseeable, and make visible that which is hidden (including encrypted computer files)[7]
  • Darr - The Afflicter
John Weller; generates pain waves
  • Fattah - The Opener
Toro Ridwan; teleportation
  • Hadya - The Guide
Amira Khan; tracker / navigator
  • Hafiz - The Preserver
  • Jabbar - The Powerful
Nawaf al-Bilal; super-strength
Nawaf is a normal teenager until an explosion shatters a hidden "Noor stone", embedding shards of the stone in his skin. The shards trigger Nawaf's transformation from a gawky teenager into a two-metre tall giant weighing 200 kilograms. The Saudi military government unsuccessfully tries to contain Nawaf. Finding that he is unstoppable, they turn to a world expert on Noor stones, Doctor Ramzi Razem. Razem teaches Nawaf that he needs only add self-control and compassion to be a formidable force for good.
  • Jaleel - The Majestic
Atash Hourmaan; flame control and immunity
  • Jami - The Assembler
Miklos Szekelhydi; able to create mechanical constructs
  • Kabeera - The Great
  • Mubdiayn - The Creative
  • Mujiba - The Responder
Dayana Samsudin; encyclopaedic knowledge
  • Mukit - The Nourisher
  • Mumita - The Destroyer
Catarina Barbosa; enhanced strength, speed and agility
  • Musawwira - The Organizer
Abena “Liza” Dagate; ability to instil order intuitively
  • Noora - The Light
Dana Ibrahim; illumination powers
  • Rafie - The Lifter
Murat Uyaroglu; control over gravity
  • Raheema - The Merciful
  • Raqib - The Watcher
  • Samda - The Invulnerable
Aisha Mokhtar; immovability, impenetrable force field
  • Sami - The Listener
Nizar Babikr; senses and controls sound
  • Wakila - The Guardian
  • Wassi - The Vast
Ashok Mohan; enlargement of body parts, can grow his entire body at once when linked in a "triad" with two other 99 members
  • Widad - The Loving
Hope Mendoza; can induce positive emotions

Reference: The 99: Beginnings,[8] JLA/The 99, The 99 website [9]

Tie-ins[edit | edit source]

The first of five planned 99-based theme parks opened in Kuwait in March 2009. An animated series has been produced[10] and Teshkeel Comics signed a multimillion dollar deal with Endemol to produce the series.[11]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | 'Why I based superheroes on Islam', BBC, July 2, 2009
  2. Report on the 99 FRONTLINE/WORLD . Kuwait: The 99 . Story Home Page . PBS
  3. Robin Wright (2012). Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World. [[wikipedia:Simon & Schuster|]]. 
  4. Origins Preview at the Comic Book DB
  5. First Light at the Comic Book DB
  6. http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/07/jlathe-99-1-hits-in-october/
  7. [[wikipedia:JLA/The 99|]] #6
  8. The 99: Beginnings http://the99.org/webstore/#/issue/13990/
  9. The 99 Website - http://www.the99.org/article-36-33-Articles-9,ckl
  10. Islamic Superheroes Going Global - TIME, Time, August 5, 2008
  11. "World's first Muslim superheroes, the 99, are headed for British television screens". The Daily Telegraph. August 20, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009. 

External links[edit | edit source]

In the news[edit | edit source]


Category:Islamic culture Category:Comics superheroes Category:Asian comics