Comic books and terrorism

The portrayal of terrorism in the medium of comic books has increased exponentially since the beginning of the 21st Century, notably since the September 11th, 2001 attacks in the United States. While combating terrorists and terrorist organizations and defending Western ideals such as freedom and democracy have been thematic in comic books since the early editions of Superman, Batman, Spider-Man and other classics, it is only throughout the last decade that researchers have noticed a new way of combating terrorism by deploying comic books. This concept, espoused as "Jihadi Cool" by University of Michigan anthropologist Scott Atran, discusses ways in which terrorist recruits' idols (such as Osama bin Laden) must be discredited and that the 'cool factor' of jihad and terrorism can begin to be reversed.
In essence, there are two main views on why comic books have become a hot button issue in terrorism. Comic books are used by terrorist organizations to recruit and train the next generation of suicide bomber or by governments and public institutions to educate people around the dangers of terrorism and the corruption of impressionable minds that can occur without the proper education.
They are used as an effective recruiting tool, showcasing the perceived benefits of terrorism and in some cases providing a manual of sorts or listing methods for carrying out terror attacks. On the other side, comic books can be used to communicate with readers on the dangers of terrorism, the downside of participating in terrorist activities, and ways to combat terrorism. In both cases, however, comic books are serving as another propaganda medium, just as television, books or radio announcements might be.
Perpetuating terrorism
Propaganda and other informational/promotional materials used by terrorist groups to recruit and train new members while also using them to justify terrorist acts.
Combating terrorism
Using comic books as an educational tool in order to reach impressionable people in different countries.
Current examples
Captain Jihad
Out of Jakarta, Indonesia comes the story of a former al-Qaida linked militant, Nasir Abas. Abas has become one of Indonesia's most instrumental anti-terrorism allies and the success story has been one worth retelling. Captain Jihad begins as a story chronicling Abas' childhood at an Islamic boarding school and his involvement in fighting Western forces in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Abas was heavily involved in Jemaah Islamiyah, whose main goal was to create an Islamic state.
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members were heavily involved in the bombing of two Bali nightclubs in 2002 and Abas was arrested in 2003 following a security sweep the followed. Abbas ultimately ended up provided valuable intelligence to Indonesian authorities about Jemaah Islamiyah, leading a weakening of the group overall. The comic book, which chronicles his transformation from terrorist to "hero" has proved a hit with children and over 10,000 copies have been printed so far.
The 99
The 99 is a comic book written about a group of superheroes based on Islamic culture and religion. Created by Kuwaiti psychologist Naif Al-Mutawa, these comics were published in May 2006 in the Middle East and then in the United States in 2007. The series is based on the historical events surrounding the attack on the ancient city of Baghdad in 1258 A.D. by the Mongol Army and the struggle to save the 99 attributes of Allah.
The overall goal of The 99 is a promotion of morals, values and traditions of Islam throughout the Muslim World.
Holly Terror
Frank Miller's Holy Terror graphic novel started off as a story in which Batman fought Al-Qaeda, but the project left DC Comics and the main character was redesigned and renamed The Fixer.
Pigman
Bosch Fawstin's graphic novel tells the story of two brothers, one of whom is a fundamentalist Moslem, through a comic-within-a-comic in which a superhero called Pigman fights terrorists.

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