‘The 99’: Superheroes and comics in the Islamic world

When times are tough, Americans often turn to comic books. The so-called Golden Age of Comics in the U.S. began with the Great Depression, when out-of-work Americans were desperate for superheroes and role models. Our appetite for Superman and the Green Lantern only grew as Hitler marched across Europe. And Americans aren’t the only ones who need superheroes in difficult times. Our guest for this  segment  is the author of “The 99,” a comic book series published in Kuwait and translated into nine languages. “The 99” follows Islam-inspired superheroes as they fight evil dictators and extremists. The comic series’ creator, Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa is also  a clinical psychologist. He joins us from Long Island.