docsavage
Posts:
712
Registered:
5/18/03
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Re: Muslim characters in comics(general opinions please)
Posted:
Jan 25, 2006 3:50 AM
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As I mentioned in my previous note, in the past, after I have replied [in-depth] to threads like this, the moderators have taken it down---so I have to be careful with what I say here.
a) DC wants these posts to be comics-related, so:
* Someone responded to my comment about not wanting [insert groups here] in comics, with the words "but they already are". Yes, that is true. That is a fact. My sentence was a statement of opinion and hope, not of fact. You can say, "well too bad because they already are in comics", and I can still reply something like "Yes, I think it is too bad also".
* People have speculated about the powers a Muslim hero might have. Well, if someone wants a Muslim hero, there must be a reason, even if it is because you are insecure and want someone to identify with. e.g. I can understand a small, young, minority group child looking at the comic books and wondering why few or no characters look like he does. So, I think we need Black heroes, etc.
As Islam encompasses many races and ethnic groups, I will guess a person who wanrts a Muslim hero, doesn't just want a Muslim hero who "looks like himself".
So, perhaps, the Muslim hero should embrace the ideals of Islam and perhaps embrace those ideals?
On the positive side, he could do charitable works and emphasize the positive traits of the stated pillars of Islam.
On the other hand, he could emphasize the [my word] 'negative' traits. So, how about "Sharia", who enforces Islamic law? How about "The Apostate", who rescues people from clerics who issue Fatwahs of Death forleaving Islam? How about "The Schism", who has the power to discern Sunni from Shiite, at a glance?
In short, I still believe it's best "not to go there". If you want to imagine that any given hero is Muslim, fine go ahead. Someone else can imagine that any hero is Hindu or Epicopalian, etc.
BTW, someone mentioned to me that Connor Queen is a Buddhist and used that as an example of religion in comics. I'm not sure, but I think that Buddhism is more a philosophy than a religion. I have a strong recollection that a practicing Buddhist once told me that. [Feel free to correct me]
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b) Someone asked if I have studied Islam:
I have read a number of books including books by Jared Diamond, Bernard Lewis, and others. I have read "The Arab Mind" (first published back in the 1960's. I am currently reading "Infidel", a history of relations between Christiandom and Islam. I have a dictionary of world religions; I have the Koran (not fully read). I even have "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam.". I have "The Idiots Guide to Islam", and a pocket Guide to Islam".
Here are three books I just went and took off the shelf: "The Legacy of Jihad" (written in 1991); "Dogs of God (Columbus, the Inquisition, and the defeat of the Moors)"; "1453-The Holy War for Constantinople".
Go check them out at Amazon or B&N.
I also have a number of History text books [from college and high school, and I have a time-line of world history. This last book is an excellent resource because it does not have commentary---just dates of world events.
I love this book because one can use it to match up dates and events with other books, and because it is as objective as you can get---just dates.
I invite everyone to match up the dates yourself and chart the "progress" of Islam. Be sure to note the progress of Islam BEFORE the Crusades.
c) I have a couple of Muslim acquaintances, notably some people in an outdoors club and the guys who run the local gas station. They fall into the category of "familar strnagers"---people we see every once in a while, who look familar, but of whom we know nothing and can only speculate. They seem like nice people. In short: I know as much about them as I do about some guy at work or an athlete on TV---little or nothing.
In conclusion:
a) I'm still against real-world religioun heroes.
b) I note that the stated pillars of Islam sound great.
c) History shows that Islam takes a long-term view. As I have studied that long-term view for five years, I am concerned.
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Anyway, compare that to the plain ceilings of a Mosque.Look at the paintings of Micheal slaying Lucifer and at a drawing by a Muslim chronicling the Battle of the Camel and so on.Christianity is easier to relate to because of the envisioned paintings of Angels and Christ from the Renaissance,they give writers and artists a degree of inspiration.Let's not forget that art especially that which depicted human figures wasn't too widely received back in the Prophet's day and was actually played down.Then there are stories like The Divine Comedy by Dante Aligheiri(sp?) which gives writers something to base their work on and the countless of paintings, poems and stories that depict Christianity.If you could get through the start of 1001 Arabian Nights without being shocked by the incredible amount of sexual references(they make Vertigo look like Archie in comparison),you can see why writers prefer to base their work on Christian themes,aside from the fact that they're familiar with them.
