New Muslim comic book superhero on the way

[pinboy3niner]

In this artwork provided by Liquid Comics, LLC, the "Sliver Scorpion" is shown. The new superhero is Muslim, who loses his legs in a tragic landmine accident and must learn to come to terms with the reality of his disability while learning to use his newfound power to fight for social inclusion, equity and justice. AP


New Muslim comic book superhero on the way
An early sketch shows a boy in a wheelchair who later becomes the Silver Scorpion
By EDITH M. LEDERER
updated 9/26/2010 12:42:55 PM ET

NEW YORK — Comic book fans will soon be getting their first glimpse at an unlikely new superhero — a Muslim boy in a wheelchair with superpowers.

The new superhero is the brainchild of a group of disabled young Americans and Syrians who were brought together last month in Damascus by the Open Hands Intiative, a non-profit organization founded by U.S. philanthropist and businessman Jay T. Snyder.

The superhero's appearance hasn't been finalized, but an early sketch shows a Muslim boy who lost his legs in a landmine accident and later becomes the Silver Scorpion after discovering he has the power to control metal with his mind.
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Snyder says he was inspired by President Barack Obama's effort to reach out to the Muslim world in his January 2009 inaugural address. Last month, Snyder flew 12 disabled Americans to Damascus to meet their Syrian peers, and one of their main goals was to come up with ideas and story lines for the new superhero.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39367509/ns/us_news-life/

[pipoman]

1. Hmmmm

I wonder what religion Spidey, Batman, Superman, The Fantastic 4, Cat Woman, etal were??...In fact I don't remember any religious affiliation of any "super heroes"...wait a minute, is this a religious tract? Is it a recruiting tool? Who the fuck cares the religious affiliation of a super hero?

[hendo]

2. Yeah, the religion of a super hero has never mattered before.

I would imagine they were Judeo-Christian though given the time when they were created.

[customerserviceguy]

3. Ah, but there are people who have actually made a study of the matter

http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/comic_book_religion.html

I guess it's what you do when you have way too much time on your hands. I would suppose that if one spent too much time reading comic books, and not enough time dating, this is what happens.

[rug]

4. Clark Kent may have been Methodist but Kal-El was a Raoist.

Rao and Raoism

The Kryptonian name for the red dwarf star that their planet orbited. Raoism was the official religion of the planet for hundreds of thousands of years. It can be conjectured that Raoism started as a simple solar religion, but later developed into a complex pantheon - there might be evidence for other lesser Kryptonian gods. When the establishment clashed with the Clone Rights Movement Raoism, which had never really taken a stance on the Clone issue, brought in teachings that backed the use of Clones. It is thought that Raoism mainly died out after the Clone War.

http://www.reocities.com/jason.kirk/jfiles/krypton.html

[hendo]

7. Learn something new every day.

Although, could someone who didn't grow up around the religion really be called a Raoist? After all, how would he have learned of it? I suppose he could have learned of it after he got Kandor back from Brainiac, but by then wouldn't he have been a devout Methodist?

I prefer the version of Superman in Red Son, where he is a godless commie.

[Tunkamerica]

5. wonder woman was an amazon and hung out with gods and goddesses

deadman was brought back to 'life' by a hindu goddess,

there's thor and ares

lots more i'm sure

[Tunkamerica]

6. oh and professor x and barbara gordon were in wheel chairs.

[pipoman]

8. I guess there was Isis too..

[pipoman]

9. Now I'm wondering who the villans will be...?

will they be infidels? Will they be Israelis? How are they going to integrate his religion into the storyline? Will he be calling on 'The Mighty Mohamed:echo:...Mohamed...mohamed'? What will the theme music be?

[Tunkamerica]

10. good question, making the defining characteristics

islam and a disability might paint the creators (kids) into a corner. But, the comic is just in the planning stages and it's a noble venture. Apparently it'll be in Arabic so we won't get an answer till the international version comes out. By then I doubt it'll be a big story.

Some of the comments on the story were funny and some were sad. Someone suggested a woman sidekick. Another said his power should be stoning.