Teshkeel Comics
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder(s) | Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa |
| Headquarters | Safat, 13048 Kuwait |
| Key people | Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Editor-in-chief |
| Products | Comics |
| Parent | Teshkeel Media Group |
| Website | Official English website |
Teshkeel Comics (Arabic: تشكيل كومكس taškeel komiks, or more formally تشكيل للقصص المصورة taškeel li-l-qiṣaṣ al-muṣawwara) is a Kuwaiti comic book publisher, and a division the Teshkeel Media Group, a company focused on creating, re-engineering and exploiting all forms of children's media based on or infused with localised culture in the Middle East.
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[edit] History
In 2005, Teshkeel had established a partnership with Marvel Comics to publish their comic book titles in the Arabic language to be released for audiences in the Middle East and North African regions, which are an Arab-speaking majority.[1] On March 16, 2006, Teshkeel released their first published comic, which was an issue of The Spectacular Spider-Man in Arabic. However, Teshkeel also made deals with DC Comics and Archie Comics[2] to publish and distribute their own comic book titles in Arabic the same way.
Other than translating the mentioned American comics, Teshkeel is also publishing an original superhero comic book series known as The 99. The series takes a look at the lives of individual young characters from many different cultures which reflect the diversity of the Islamic world. The 99 was first released in May, 2006, and then continued with a steady monthly release ever since September the same year. Teshkeel publishes The 99 in both English and Arabic languages, but the series being released in even more languages, including Bahasa Indonesian.[3] The 99 is currently distributed in North America via Diamond Comic Distributors.[4] North Americans get different editions of The 99 comics from their Middle Eastern counterparts, as the series features different covers and related issue numbers.
Teshkeel Comics also published a licenced children's magazine based on Cartoon Network's characters and series. The magazine included comics, games, articles, and other things which arouses children's interests. This magazine was published in both English and Arabic.
Circa 2008, however, all forms of translated comic books from Teshkeel Comics suddenly stopped appearing without any prior warning, as even Teshkeel's main website now redirects to The 99's official website, with material totally revamped to reflect some of the actual company's image without taking too much of The 99 theme. The cause for the cease-publishing of the translated comics is currently unknown, as well as any future plans for a possible continuation. No comments either from the respective American companies whom licensed their comics and characters to be published via Teshkeel in Arabic. Possible reasons for this massive cancellation could be either the poor sales of the Arabic translations, or Teshkeel taking a greater focus on their current plans for expanding The 99 franchise with several theme parks and an animated television series. There might also be complications due to Disney's recent acquisition of Marvel Entertainment,[5] Marvel Comics' parent company.
Circa 2009, the Cartoon Network magazine was abruptly cancelled as Teshkeel lost the license to a Dubai-based children's magazines publisher.
Circa 2010, whilst Teshkeel continues to publish The 99, there had been unknown problems with the distribution of the paper comics throughout various countries, most likely due to economic stress of the time and Teshkeel's uneven practice in its publishing cycle. Regardless, consumers can still attain any newly released issues of The 99, as well as previous issues, via digital distribution at any time. At this time, Teshkeel continues to franchise The 99 by introducing theme parks in Kuwait, establishing a television series, and collaborating with DC Comics in a crossover mini-series.
[edit] Published works
[edit] Original titles
- The 99 (Arabic and English)
[edit] Licensed titles (All defunct)
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This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
- Archie (Arabic only)
- Archie and Friends (Arabic only)
- The Batman Adventures (Arabic only; based on Volume 2)
- Cartoon Network Magazine (Arabic and English)
- Hulk (Arabic only; based on the 2000 series)
- Marvel (Arabic only; umbrella title for various stories of miscellaneous Marvel characters, such as Fantastic Four)
- The Spectacular Spider-Man (Arabic only)
- Superman Adventures (Arabic only)
- Ultimate Spider-Man (Arabic only)
- Ultimate X-Men (Arabic only)
[edit] References
- ^ "TESHKEEL MEDIA GROUP BRINGS MARVEL COMICS TO THE MIDDLE EAST". Marvel news release. 2006-02-23. http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.172.TESHKEEL_MEDIA_GROUP_BRINGS_MARVEL_COMICS_TO_THE. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
- ^ Carlson, Johanna (2006-03-17). "Archie in the Middle East". Comics Worth Reading. http://comicsworthreading.com/2006/03/17/archie-in-the-middle-east/. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
- ^ Coker, Margaret (2008-11-25). "Kuwaiti Entrepreneur Hopes to Create the Next Pokémon". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122757193882554759.html. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
- ^ "Teshkeel signs exclusive distribution deal". AME Info. 2007-12-05. http://www.ameinfo.com/140783.html. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- ^ "Disney to Acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4B". Marketwatch. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/disney-to-acquire-marvel-entertainment-for-4b-2009-08-31. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
[edit] External links
- Teshkeel Comics at the Comic Book DB
- Unicorn joins Teshkeel to fund comic publisher, Gulf News, September 28, 2006
- Comics to Battle for Truth, Justice and the Islamic Way, New York Times, January 22, 2006
- Can Comics Change the Arab World?, The Harvard Crimson, February 15, 2007
- Teshkeel in India - Comicology
