UK on AK

SBC linked to this BBC News piece following up on the Washington Post AK Comics story from last month (which TGC blogged, as you'll recall). BBC also interviewed managing editor Marwan Nashar:

"I believe that having superheroes, or superhuman beings, is an essential need - just like God," the AK Comics' managing editor Marwan Nashar told BBC World Service's Outlook programme.

"We need to believe in a higher being that will be there for help, and can affect change on his own. There is a global and human need for that."

Nashar also comments a bit in this article about the gender roles AK aspires to render in their books.

What is notable about Middle East Heroes is that the female models are at least as powerful as their male counterparts. Jalila is most powerful character in terms of abilities.

"We really wanted to assess gender equality by creating two male characters and two female characters - and making them equal," Mr Nashar said.

He added that this strategy had been well-received, especially amongst women, who read the comic books in disproportionately large numbers.

The books have also managed to remain relatively uncensored throughout the region - where the authorities tend to strictly control publication.

Mr Nashar said that there had been no problems at all in Egypt, while in some countries the only change has been to cover up Jalila's abdomen.