1. The Middle East An Introduction

2. What ways are stories told? Oral Tradition – Passing down stories by word of mouth Written Tradition – Books Such as Holy Books like the Bible, Torah, or Koran – Text books Books that tell stories through fact – Newspapers, Magazines, etc.

3. But What are we Missing? Pictures – Cave drawings that tell the tales of people long ago. – Hieroglyphics of Ancient Egypt – The Book of Kells Do Pictures still tell a story today? – Of course they do… – Remember…. Comic Books

4. Comic Books Have been around since the dawn of man in some shape or form (i.e. cave drawings) Became most popular in the mid to late 1900s – Especially after WWII Show readers Ideas / Themes of: – Good vs. Evil – Internal/External Struggles – Humor, Violence, Mystery, Fantasy, so much more

5. What are some values of Superheroes that represent American identity? Strength Speed Intelligence Honesty Winning at all Costs Justice Defeating Evil Mistakes can happen Power Responsibility Helping others Never Give Up Problems can be solved in may ways

6. Can these same themes be found in the Middle East?

7. The 99 The 99 are a group of teenagers and adults that each find one of 99 Noor Stones – Based on the 99 attributes of Allah – These refer to Ahjar Al Noor, Stones of Light The 99’s powers have varying range of abilities but grow as the stone holder grows The 99 is in no specific comic universe, but just recently teamed up the JLA The aim of the 99 series is to promote cooperation and unity throughout the Islamic world The 99 is not a religious comic, but promotes Islamic ideas. Ideas that are universal.

8. American Comics and The 99 Similarities in Fighting Against Prejudice Kal – El of Krypton – Also known as Superman Sent to Earth by his parents as Krypton was exploding – Immigrant? Stands for: Truth, Justice, and the American Way Dislikes: Anything bad, i.e. Lex Luthor Powers: Super everything… – Strength, Speed, and Flight Mumita – The Destroyer – A.K.A Catarina Barbossa Height: 168 cm Weight: 64kg A runaway teen who is used to living on the streets Powers: Speed, Strength, and Agility Powers are enhanced with the power of the Noor Stone Powers continue to grow

9. American Comics and The 99 Similarities in Fighting Against Prejudice Green Lantern Corps – Intergalactic police force that protects all parts of the universe. Green Lanterns of Sector 2814: Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Kyle Rainer Uses power ring project images from willpower and imagination – Beams of light emanating from power ring Noora – The Light – A.K.A. – Dana Ibrahim Height: 167.5cm Weight: 66kg Ability to see the light of truth in others and allowing them or forcing them to see it in themselves. Will eventually have the ability to generate light

10. American Comics and The 99 Similarities in Fighting Against Prejudice The Incredible Hulk – A.K.A. – Dr. Robert Bruce Banner Had a run in with a Gamma bonb He 100% Green "The madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets!“ Jabbar - The Powerful – A.K.A. Nawaf Al Bilali Height : 224 cm (powered up), 193 cm (powered down) Weight : 193 kg (powered up), 95 kg (powered down) Jabbar is very strong, but if he losses control of his powers, he may become a danger to himself and others

11. Even the President is a fan of the 99 Comic Books are not just an American pastime anymore!