Showing posts with label comics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comics. Show all posts

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Middle Eastern Comic Books and Graphic Novels: A New (Occasional) Feature


Graphic novels and comic books occupy a niche place in cultural thought. Comic books are short - around 30 pages including advertisements, and each issue tends to move the overall story forward in an incremental fashion. Story arcs often begin, pause, and end without warning, which can make them difficult to follow without access to back issues. The graphic novel, cousin to the comic book, may appeal more to novel readers and fans of more traditional storytelling. Like many other parts of the world, there is a wealth of comic books and graphic novels related to the Middle East -  I’ve listed a few of the more well-known ones below. I’d love to regularly update this feature with new finds, so if you have any recommendations send them into the blog.



The 99

Authors:
Dr. Naif al-Mutawa
Stuart Moore
John McCrea
Fabian Nicezia
Published: 2006-Ongoing
Teshkeel Comics
www.the99.org

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Rise in publications of comic books in Egypt


This article by Rania Khallaf (Al-Ahram Weekly Online, 3-9 Nov. 2011, Issue no. 1071) explores the role of comic magazines in the world of art and journalism in Egypt. It explains how Egyptian cartoonists and writers use comics, cartoons and charicatures in an attempt to convey certain cultural, educational or political messages to the public. Read the article here.


The cover of al-Thawragiya (source: Al-Ahram Weekly Online)
Many new comic books take on social and political issues in a satirical manner. In his article "New wave of comic books flourishes in Egypt", Menna Taher questions whether the rise in publications of comic books is a result of the Arab Spring revolution. (Ahram Online, 24 October 2011)