Just recently, something caught our eyes over Twitter. These Pakistani superheroes piqued our interest and we wanted to know more about how they came to be.
⚡️ “Pakistani Superheroes”https://t.co/5LZLRZHDGO
— umair | عمیر (@umairnajeebkhan) September 14, 2019
As it turns out these super-powered creations are the brainchild of visual artist, Umair Najeeb Khan. People are already fascinated by his creations and want to know more about him.
ProPakistani recently sat down Umair, and wanted to know more about his creations.
How did this 25-year-old visual artist come to create these superheroes? Read on to find out.
The Umair Najeeb Khan Story
Speaking to ProPakistani, Umair reveals that he’s always had a fascination with superheroes. But he wanted his heroes to be more… Pakistani and relatable.
Instead of waiting around for someone else to do it, he did exactly that, creating his own stable of Pakistani superheroes independently.
“I have always been fascinated by superheroes and I always wanted to see them in Pakistan. Some content along those lines was produced but never really caught the eye. So recently before this unnamed series, I did another personal project based around six ethnicities and their cultures.”
I love everyone’s reactions to the character designs. This is what I want. Representation for everyone and inclusiveness. We have a rich af culture and it needs to be highlighted more often.
I gotchu all ✊🏼
— umair | عمیر (@umairnajeebkhan) September 14, 2019
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His First Character was Sindhi
Like many comic fans in the country, he started with a character he wanted to see, Marvi and just kept moving on from there.
Marvi is a Sindhi character who’s a teacher and vigilante. So far we see he’s really exploring all Pakistani ethnicities and regional cultures with his ‘dream team‘.
“I loved how well it was received by people and it made me want to do more along those lines and the idea just popped from there. That’s how I started working on Marvi my first character.”
Meet Marvi – مارئي
Teacher by day and vigilante the night. Crazy skilled at combat, she is taking down bad guys one day at a time. pic.twitter.com/QVim39ZKlX
— umair | عمیر (@umairnajeebkhan) September 12, 2019
A League of Its Own?
Now his team has grown to seven members. They are:
- Sofiyan, a Seraiki time traveler, sandman and humanitarian.
- Bazira, a Pakhtun hacker and psychic.
- Afsoon, a shapeshifter from Gilgit-Baltistan focused on environmental preservation.
- The twins Shahvez and Shahnawaz from the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad, who have electrokinetic powers and are polar opposites.
- A Baloch swordsman Omran, who is an ‘Earth-bender‘.
Umair didn’t spill the beans on his characters’ backstories. He is saving that sweet surprise for the comics.
“The backstory of each of them will be revealed in the comics. They all got their powers in different ways and we’ll explore that in the story in detail.”
Meet Sofiyan – صُفیان
A low key nawab and a crime-fighter, like his name he is a sandstorm, travelling over 2 centuries in time to come and save his city in shambles. pic.twitter.com/8AABQtMpAZ
— umair | عمیر (@umairnajeebkhan) September 14, 2019
Meet Bazira – بزيره
Mischievous and clever, Buzz (as she likes to be referred to) is a 16 year old tech-savvy student. Using her precognitive visions, she is trying to change the course of what is to come. pic.twitter.com/GF7J56OlOJ
— umair | عمیر (@umairnajeebkhan) September 16, 2019
Meet Afsoon – افسون
Named by natives as ‘Protector of the Mountains’ in folklore, Afsoon is a local legend who has existed in many different forms over centuries. After being gone for years, she has resurfaced to take down her arch-rival one more time. pic.twitter.com/HVSFdKyJQh
— umair | عمیر (@umairnajeebkhan) September 22, 2019
Meet Raad – رعد
Reckless and short-tempered, Shahvez & Shahnawaz are twins with extreme dislike for each other and newly discovered ability to manipulate electricity, that is beyond their control. pic.twitter.com/1Hh1EkBxT6
— umair | عمیر (@umairnajeebkhan) September 19, 2019
Meet Omran – عُمران
Angry yet wise, Omran is a 61 year old sole successor to the legacy of ancient earth-manipulators. After fighting for a lifetime and retiring from his duties, he was forced to take his mantle back in the hour of need. pic.twitter.com/MOnR1e1zJI
— umair | عمیر (@umairnajeebkhan) September 26, 2019
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These are some pretty badass characters so far. We understand Umair’s drive for cultural representation, but what else do his characters have to offer?
Umair says that all his characters are tackling social problems, be it about breaking stereotypes to environmental conservation.
“The series is basically for representation and inclusiveness. Pakistan has a very unique culture, and cultural diversity that usually does not get highlighted or if it does it isn’t enough. I want to bring that to the forefront with these and produce new content, of course.”
“There are 3 layers to all the characters I’m working on. They all come from different cities and ethnicities – representing the cultures. They all will look very different from each other … You’ll see people from all races of life and in all shapes and sizes. That’s the inclusiveness I want to show. And finally, the third layer is all of them being Pakistanis are fighting for Pakistan.”
“In all of this I want people to see themselves, and my intention is not to limit people to just their (the characters) backgrounds or city … I want Afsoon’s character to start a conversation about environment and animal hunting, especially Markhors.”
After Comics, Where Do These Pakistani Superheroes Go From Here?
Given how amazing this Pakistani superheroes’ dream team is, we’d definitely love to see them on screen.
Umair revealed that he’s open to that idea. While he’s dedicated to the comics for now, if given the opportunity he will adapt the story to an animated screenplay.
This idea may not be as far-fetched as we think because the man’s an animator as well. In fact, he planned some animated avatars of the characters before we even brought this up.
“It’s initially going to be comics, but if an animated adaption does come up then why not. I am an animator myself and from what I have planned to do so far, there will be some animated elements going hand in hand with the comics.”
The film or series adaptation doesn’t necessarily have to be animated, it can be a live-action adaptation.
“For now its going to be a comic which will show origins of the characters and of the team coming together. But eventually I do want it to be adapted into an animated or live action film/show. I want to present this to a larger audience and represent Pakistan internationally too.”
More About Umair Najeeb Khan
The 25-year-old visual artist from Karachi is currently based in Islamabad.
Umair’s been doing commissioned works of visual art for a while now. The visual artist and animator usually designs for films, both local and foreign.
He has created publicity designs for Chupan Chupai, Pinky Memsaab, Kataksha, and Tevar. Umair also takes up animation projects. Recently he released an animated music video called Jhoomta Raha for Assad Hasanain’s song.
He’s even illustrated for a couple of children’s books as well.
We wish Umair all the best, and can’t wait for his newest creations to feature in their own comic book.