Into the Multiverse of Arab Superheroes!
In the expansive multiverse of comics, superheroes – and villains – can come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, with each character having their own personalized backstory, often a traumatic one, that affects all their actions and behaviors. With this diversity in superheroes, millions of people around the world can see themselves in their favorite heroes, finding inspiration and empowerment in their struggles and triumphs.
Among all these heroes, a brand new wave is emerging: Arab superheroes! Now, the vibrant and dynamic world of the Middle East is being represented in a whole new light, showcasing unique cultural perspectives and narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide. These Arab superheroes bring a fresh perspective to the genre, breaking stereotypes and providing a platform for underrepresented voices to be heard and celebrated.
Here are the strongest Arab superheroes!
Doctor Fate – Khalid Nassour
Although there have been many versions of this DC character, the brand new and current version is Egyptian-American Khalid Nassour. Making his comic debut in 2015, Doctor Fate instantly became a fan-favorite thanks to his powers, and of course, his background. In fact, Khalid Nassour is the first Muslim character in the DCEU to headline his own comic series.
Khalid's powers are only enhanced by his rich background. Through Ancient Egyptian spells and artifacts, he can control elements, conjure illusions, and even see the future. These artifacts not only help his power grow, but they protect him from others' powers. His Amulet of Anubis, among other artifacts, helps protect him against telekinetic powers like mind control and astral projection. Doctor Fate is even considered to be one of the strongest magical beings on DC Earth, even beating his Marvel counterpart Dr. Strange in strength and spell-casting.
Nightrunner – Bilal Alsselah
Bilal Alsselah may seem like a normal boy, but at night, he's the sneaky Nightrunner. Dubbed the 'Batman of Paris', Bilal, an Algerian residing in France, uses his exceptional parkour abilities and stealth to combat crime and safeguard the streets of Paris.
After a traumatic night when his best friend was killed by police during a protest, Bilal decided to begin taking matters into his own hands. Driven by grief and a need for justice, he began training in parkour and combat, eventually becoming a vigilante hero.
These skills caught the attention of no other than the man himself: Batman! Impressed by his drive and skill, Bruce Wayne officially recruited the Nightrunner for the Batman Incorporation. Now, Bilal fights alongside the Bat-family to combat crime both in Paris and all over the world!
Jetstream – Haroun ibn Sallah al-Rashid
Jetstream has not had an easy life. Born in Morocco, his powers were already developing when he was in the womb, nearly taking his mother's life. Despite that, he prevailed and found himself in Emma Frost's Massachusetts Academy.
As his powers grew, so did his urge to use them; he tried to fly, but pushed himself past the limits, causing deadly damage. Broken legs, third-degree burns, a ruptured spine, and more followed, leaving him both physically and mentally scarred. Thanks to Emma Frost, doctors were able to amputate his legs and replace them with cybernetics. Now he was back on the roast – or rather the sky!
Jetstream, or Haroun, became a part of a super-mutant group called the Hellfire Club. For years, he led the group until its unfortunate demise in 1991, when almost all of the members were murdered by a mutant super-villain. After being resurrected, Haroun joined Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters as a teacher, educating students both in flying and in Arabic.
Arabian Knight – Abdul Qamar / Navid Hashim
Making his comic debut in 1981, it's believed that Arabian Knight is one of the first Arab superheroes to hit the mainstream, and that's pretty clear. Marvel's Arabian Knight, whose real name is Abdul Qamar, is every Arab stereotype merged into one character, from his outfit to his powers.
Abdul Qamar is a Saudi Arabian prince who, while seeking shelter during a trading run, discovered a magical sword and flying carpet. The magic carpet was able to respond to his mental commands, from flying to wrapping people up. The sword, on the other hand, had the power to emit powerful beams, as well as a large amount of concussive force for anyone who touched it other than the Arabian Knight.
Of course, this character wasn't received very well among the masses, leading Marvel to scrap the original design and offer a successor: Navid Hashim. Hashim, a Palestinian agent, was chosen to be the next Arabian Knight in 2006. Instead of the original's stereotypical outfit, Navid Hashim's outfit is a classic military uniform with a twist: using the cloth from the magic carpet, he strengthens his uniform and enhances its durability. This brand new perspective on Arabian Knight brought a fresh and more culturally sensitive take on the character.
Silver Scorpion – Bashir Bar
Silver Scorpion has a unique origin, not just in the books. Unlike most comic book characters that were created by company executives, Bashir Bar was created by a group of disabled American and Syrian children. This diverse group of children wanted a hero they could relate to, one who faced similar challenges and overcame them with courage and strength. The character of Silver Scorpion was born out of their shared experiences and desire for representation in the world of superheroes.
The comic follows the young Syrian-American Bashir after he deals with losing his legs in a tragic accident. One day, he witnesses the murder of a mysterious metal smith, Tarek, which leaves him to be the guardian of an ancient power. Now, he can control all the metal around him and has to use his newfound power to protect the world.
Scarlet Scarab – Layla El Faouly
The Scarlet Scarab has had three different people claim the title since its debut in 1977. First, we had Abdul Faoul, an Egyptian adventurer who aimed to stop Britain's invasion of Egypt. After that, his son Mehemet took on the title after his father passed. Now, we have Layla El Faouly.
Layla, who you may have seen on the big screen in the 2022 show Moon Knight, is the daughter of a famous Egyptian archeologist. After going on adventures with her husband Marc Spector (Moon Knight), they come across the deadliest of all: Harrow, who is planning to awaken an Ancient Egyptian god to take over the world. After Marc was incapacitated by Harrow, Layla had to assume the title of the Scarlett Scarab.
As the Scarlet Scarab, she has superhuman speed, strength, and reflexes. She can also fly, summon weapons, and even has regenerative healing powers. Played by Egyptian actress May Calamawy, Layla instantly became a beloved superhero among both Egyptians and comic book fans.
Amulet – Fadi Fadlalah
One of Marvel's most recent Arab-American superheroes, Amulet was introduced in 2020. Fighting alongside the beloved Pakistani-American Ms. Marvel, Amulet has ultimate protection powers.
His powers, and his name, come from the amulet he wears. He has a nazar amulet from his Lebanese culture that can emit strong shields on himself and his loved ones. Amulet's character adds unique diversity and representation to the iconic, ever-expanding MCU, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of both Lebanon and Arabs as a whole.
Iron Butterfly – Kahina Eskandari
Kahina Eskandari is a Palestinian mutant in the DCEU. Part of the Shadow Cabinet, Kahina was experimented on when she was younger, which gave her superhuman abilities. After her parents were murdered, she vowed to seek revenge and use her powers to get justice.
Her name, Iron Butterfly, was given because of her power of ferrokinetics – the mental ability to manipulate iron and other metals. Not only is she one of the very few Palestinian characters in the superhero world, but she's also a strong and complex character who adds depth to the DCEU's long roster of heroes and villains.
Green Lantern – Simon Baz
Appearing in over 400 different DC comics, Simon Baz has been known as the "Arab Green Lantern". The Lebanese-American gained the title of Green Lantern after Hal Jordan, the original, was presumed dead.
He first appeared back in 2012 and has since become a powerful being in the universe. His powers are similar to the original Green Lantern, from light constructs and forcefields to flight and instant healing. Simon's character is unique in that he is one of the few Muslim superheroes in mainstream comics, adding diversity to the DC universe.
The Bedouin Blade – Latifa
Unveiled at Saudi Arabia's first-ever Comic Con in 2017, Latifa the Bedouin Blade is the first female superhero in Saudi Arabia. Part of the 'Saudi Girls Revolution' comic series by Fahad Al Saud, she's part of a world led by women who symbolize strength and resilience.
Even though her name means 'kind' in Arabic, she's described as ruthless and vindictive, not letting anything get in her way of justice. With her talking sword and unbeatable strength, she instantly took the world by storm, even getting her own game. Latifa the Bedouin Blade has become a symbol of empowerment for many young girls in Saudi Arabia, inspiring them to be strong and fearless.