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This comic book series hopes to inspire young Karachiites to heal the city

This comic book series hopes to inspire young Karachiites to heal the city

Titled Raat, the comic's first volume is out and free for all
12 Oct, 2016

What does the word ‘Raat’ remind you of?

Night? Terror? Darkness?

What if 'Raat' sent chills down the spines of criminals?

What if 'Raat' was a source of justice and security?

What if 'Raat' was someone who hoped to be the harbinger of light?

Introducing Raat

In comic book series Raat, the protagonist is just that. Created by artist Wasiq Haris (who also served as a supervisor for the comic book series Team Muhafiz), Raat is a young woman who carries out controlled vigilante justice in her city – alone and unassisted.

The comic, which is available online for free, has only had its first issue released so far.

Raat is the protagonist of the eponymous comic series created by Wasiq Haris
Raat is the protagonist of the eponymous comic series created by Wasiq Haris

Although not a lot has been revealed about the character in the first issue, the description tells you that she's an ordinary citizen in the city of ‘Kolachi’. Fed up of the crime and insecurity in the city, she tries to do something about it.

When fighting crime, like almost all superheroes, she hides her identity. She has black paint smeared around her eyes and wears a monstrous mask to complete her frightening look. At home, she’s quite the opposite – the loving Baaji of her baby sister.

A close look at the artwork and you’ll see the effort that has been put into the details to make the environment look as local as possible. You see cracks in walls, garbage on roads, ‘paan ki pheenk’ (paan spittle) splattered at so many places, and clippings of Dawn newspaper’s headlines pasted on the walls of the protagonist’s house.

A close look at the artwork and you’ll see the effort that has been put into the details to make the environment look as local as possible
A close look at the artwork and you’ll see the effort that has been put into the details to make the environment look as local as possible

With powerful, action-packed visuals and intense facial expressions, the artwork is not just the work of a promising artist but also sets the bar higher for the local comic book scene in the country. Wasiq has also done a brilliant job with the use of lights and shadows in his work, setting the perfect mood for the story.

A different kind of superhero

But what makes this character and comic different from other fictional female superheroes we've seen recently in the country?

Wasiq says his character is different because it is relatable. “It’s about a common person with no superpowers and no assistance at all… it’s a character grounded in reality”. But most importantly, this comic book series is not a ‘business venture’ and hence is free for all to read.

Raat also aims to bring to light the injustices and criminal activities taking place around us, and how absolutely no one is doing anything about it.

Raat hopes to remind readers of the injustice inflicted on our fellow citizens
Raat hopes to remind readers of the injustice inflicted on our fellow citizens

“We have a lot of problems in our society, and most of us are oblivious to it. I wanted to give the youth something that inspires them, encourages them and brings all the problems to light,” says Wasiq. “In essence this is what Raat does, it’s not a business, it’s not even for pleasure. It’s about inspiring change.”

By being a one-man-army behind this series, Wasiq also wants to send out a message to all the talented youngsters of the country: “I want them to look at my work and be inspired – that if one individual can make a comic book, they can too.”

Comments

Anonymous Oct 13, 2016 01:10am
I love the comic! I didn't know it existed until I read your article. I know I will be waiting for more issues to see how the story unfolds. Love the fact that this comic is true to Pakistani culture which makes it easier for the reader to connect and relate.
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Umer Oct 13, 2016 10:03am
A great start.
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ali Oct 13, 2016 10:27am
Brilliant Wasiq....we want more from you; just don't stop here.
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Atiya Oct 13, 2016 11:28am
Read the first issue while sitting at work and I am in LOVE. Please please let there be more!
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Ali S Oct 13, 2016 12:40pm
Love the concept and on top of it it's free too. He should do an Urdu version of it - that will make comic books popular among the masses in Pakistan.
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Hassan (Karachi) Oct 13, 2016 12:47pm
I am an ardent comic/manga reader and I love this. I'm getting a strong Batgirl vibe from this. With the amount of monologue which could be heard in Barbara Gordon's version of Batgirl yet the initial clumsiness and self doubt found in Stephanie Brown version of Batgirl/Spoiler. Love it. Keep it up.
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salman Oct 13, 2016 03:25pm
Nice artwork. Best of luck for future issues!
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Paxton Roy Oct 14, 2016 05:06am
"Karachites" is such a mouthful for normal conversation. Wouldn't "Karachians" roll off the tongue much more easily? Indians also add the suffix "ite" --such as in "Chennai-ites"! But then we are talking "South Asia-ite" English!
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