Review: Buraaq #5
As much as comics dwell in the ills of the world, rarely does it touch on religion. Often religion is not even examined, and usually carriers of the faith like priests and rabbis, are often background characters, or “damsels in distress.” There is the total opposite, in Preacher, where the character used to be a pastor, but instead chooses to be an instrument of God, and even God is a character in the comic. If anything, Batman Vs Superman : Dawn Of Justice, did, was bring up the very question, as history has shown us, when religion doesn’t give answers, people often turn to other humans as false idols.
Habibi and Blankets, both by Craig Thompson, are brilliant books which illustrate how such worlds dominated by faith can be all consuming and direct most of your actions. The world, after all these centuries, is still dominated by religion, either praise for it or absolute derision. That is why it surprises me that it has never see a superhero, profess their faith. This brings me to the fifth issue of Buraaq, as we find our hero, not only practice and display steadfast belief in Allah but fight a new legion of evil.
We meet a new villain, by the name of General Xion a formidable foe to Yusef’s Buraaq, and one who has deeper roots in Nova City, than one would imagine. We find Yusuf, in his mosque, praying an actual prayer from the Quran. We also see General Xion intimidate the mayor, first through lawers and second, through his minions. By book’s end, Buraaq , has no fear as Xion’s army has descended upon him, and our hero , may be Nova City’s only hope.
Overall, an excellent introduction to an amoral villain. The story by Adil and Kamil Imtiaz is multilayered and gives positive portrayals of Muslims. The art is fantastic. Altogether, an exceptional installment in a book that not only aims to entertain but also change the world.
Story: Adil and Kamil Imtiaz Art: Anas Riasat, Adnan Ali, Shahan Zaidi, Saad Rafan
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
The show, Gotham, is probably one of the most underrated shows and most overrated at the same time. I believe it is underrated, as most of the rogues’ gallery that has been on the show. I also believe this show is overrated because it comes off a cartoonish, where some believed including me, that it would have matched Smallville’s ambition. As the show has primarily focused on not Bruce Wayne but James Gordon.
It is something in a comic when a superhero has more than met match. It makes the reader realize that they are fallible, that they are not perfect, and that may either drive readers away or make them identify with them. I remember the first time I heard of the character, Bane, and when I saw that iconic scene of him breaking Batman’s back, it blew my mind. I knew Batman, had no super powers, but I thought he would outsmart every villain that crossed his path.
The term “citizen of the world”, usually induces thoughts of someone who is good and treats his fellow man with humility. Unfortunately, although this idea is not extinct, it certainly not one that is being celebrated in today’s day and time. Unfortunately hate and xenophobia, are what rule the souls of most people, even those who claim to be food people but “must look after their own”. This ideology is quite dangerous and the “inherent goodness” that human beings once were thought to possess, is no more.
The promotion of negative stereotypes is a serious problem that has consumed America since before the last century. These harmful labels as it pertains to race, class and sexuality have created an atmosphere of fear around the country. Within the last few years, the fearmongering only has intensified and these groups of people who have been marginalized, and at times, targeted, face a life where they are constantly having to prove their fidelity. This leads to me who gets to choose what a hero looks like.