Comics as psyops

Got an idea festering in your brain for a great comic book series that will appeal to a Middle Eastern audience? It appears AK Comics isn't the only publisher looking to test the market in the Middle East, according to BBC News. Their competition? The U.S. Army. The solicitation is available on the Federal Business Opportunities site here.

In order to achieve long-term peace and stability in the Middle East, the youth need to be reached. One effective means of influencing youth is through the use of comic books. A series of comic books provides the opportunity for youth to learn lessons, develop role models and improve their education.

Now, here's where you, the aspiring comic book creator, come in. All the specifications are here, along with the basic idealogical accompaniments required.

The series will be based on the security forces, military and police, in the near future in the Middle East in cooperation with the Ministries of Interior of some of those countries. The comic series will be subject to change based on initial focus group testing of a prototype comic. If the subject matter for a specific comic does not do well in its intended focus group then it may be dropped and/or a new basis for the comic will be selected. There may be opportunities for this series to continue and additional comic series to be developed next year based on feedback from the first series.

So, there you have it: your first big break. All you have to do is figure out how to write a comic book that convinces children to trust U.S. security forces. The payoff? A possible two-year series.

Frequency of the comic book will be one per month, based on a proof of concept. This contract will be for the completion of 12 comics, 16 page sides (including covers), size A4, comic books and an option for 12 additional comic books.

I'm jotting down ideas of my own right now. I'm thinking about an MP who accidentally discovers Saddam Hussein's powersuit (somewhat like Lex Luthor's green duds). The suit has built-in AI, and when the MP tries it on, it bonds to his body, and he can't figure out how to get it off. Meanwhile, the suit can't tell the difference between him and Saddam, so it always calls him, "Your Highness." It would be sort of a Nightrider meets Robocop kind of story. I'll let you know if it gets accepted.

For other takes on the offer check out The Pulse and In the Fray.