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.

In its current season, it has steered the ship in the right direction, as we now have seen the League of Shadows, as well as the Court of Owls. I bring the show and really the mythos of Batman up, as he was, like The Flash, a hero borne from tragedy. As their motivation, is not purely out of a sense of justice, but a need to avenge and protect. This brings me to the fourth issue of Buraaq, as we get a sense of who Yusuf was, before he became Buraaq.

We are taken to when he was teenager, who loved racing street cars with his friends and as most kids his age, were rebellious. His life turns upside down, when a gunman takes the lives of his parents in a massacre. In a moment of serendipity, a meteor crashes, as he races home to meet his grandfather shortly after finding out the news. By issue’s end, his superpowers are at their fullest, as a new evil waits in the shadows.

Overall, a strong origin story, that gives the reader, a little more background of who Yusuf and Buraaq are as two sides of the same man. The story by Adil and Kamil Imtiaz, gets even better in this issue. Th art is 190% better, with the new artists from Lucid Concepts, as the art is luminous and vibrant. Altogether, an excellent book that has upped its game in both story and style.

Story: Adil Imtiaz, Kamil Imtiaz Art: Anas Riasat, Adnan Ali, Shahan Zaidi, Saad Rafan
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy