Al Ahli Publishing and Distribution launches Ms. Marvel, first ever Muslim superhero

APD launches The New York Times best seller in  English and Arabic across the MENA region

Al Ahli Holding Group (AAHG), a UAE-based multi-diversified international conglomerate has launched the Ms. Marvel Comic book series in English and Arabic featuring Marvel’s first ever Muslim superhero character. 

Releasing the New York Times best seller in the GCC and UAE, Al Ahli Publishing and Distribution (APD) through its tie-up with Marvel has become the only company that has the rights to publish Ms. Marvel series in the Arabic and English language outside of USA.

The Ms. Marvel comic book narrates the story of a teenage Pakistani American from New Jersey. Kamala Khan, a high school student is boggled by her shapeshifting abilities, and subsequently discovers that she has inhuman genes, leading her to assume the codename Ms. Marvel.

“Ever since APD was launched, this comic book series has been in demand in both English and Arabic. Our fans in the region have been asking for updates on the launch of Ms. Marvel and there has been a higher anticipation amongst our Arabic readers. All through the next two months, we have some exciting launches for our fans, including new titles that have become widely read and popular in different parts of the world,” said Mr Zuhair Ayoubi, General Manager, Retail and Licensing, AAHG.

The ‘Ms. Marvel Volume 1’ will hit the stands in the UAE this week and will be available in both English and Arabic. This edition was rated as the best-selling graphic novel in 2014 and charted its way to the top of The New York Times best-sellers list in the same year. In 2015, ‘Ms. Marvel Volume 2: Generation Why’ also swiftly raced to the top of the NY best sellers list and remained on top for a long period.

Since its launch in mid-2013, the comic book’s story line has been widely praised for offering something new to pop-culture portrayals of Muslims. With over 21 percent (1.2 million) of UAE’s population comprising of Pakistani nationals, the Pakistani origins of this fictional character adds an even higher appeal to readers in this part of the world.

“Al Ahli Publishing & Distribution has become the only company to unveil the story of Marvel’s first Muslim character in this region. Our readers in the MENA region have been awaiting this launch with bated breath as this is the first time a Muslim character gets to headline her own comic book. In this region, the readers will be able to identify more with the character. We will also be launching limited edition of signed copies of this comic book series for our fans shortly,” said Abdulla Mahmood, Director, Marketing & Corporate Communication, AAHG.

APD held an exclusive meeting with renowned comic book editor from Marvel and one of the creators of Ms. Marvel to strengthen the alliance with Marvel further.

Al Ahli Publishing and Distribution was initiated as part of the vision of His Highness Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to promote Arabic culture and language which is currently being carried forward by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The recent efforts of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum that aimed at establishing UAE as a global centre of excellence for the Arabic language also inspired AAHG to introduce international comic books in Arabic.

APD is also the first company ever to secure rights to translate in the Persian language. The company publishes popular international comics that have been the pop-culture phenomena over the years through its strategic tie ups with leading international studios and companies like Marvel, Disney, Warner Bros and Sanrio.

APD’s Ms. Marvel comic books are being distributed in 11 countries across the MENA region and will soon hit the stands across UAE.

About Al Ahli Holding Group (www.alahliholdinggroup.com)

Al Ahli Holding Group is a multi-diversified international conglomerate with over four decades of successfully dealing with business activities ranging from real estate to turnkey construction, engineering and infrastructure, retail and trading, technology and logistics, lifestyle and fitness, entertainment, hospitality and innovative developments. With great passion and a very active portfolio in the entertainment industry, AAHG operates innovative and ground-breaking projects in the UAE. Amongst its portfolio, AAHG owns Dubai Outlet Mall, which is the first outlet mall concept in the Middle East; constructed major landmarks in the Eastern region of UAE; holds the exclusive largest franchise rights to US-based Gold’s Gym International in the Middle East and Africa; established Al Ahli Plastics, one of Middle East’s largest plastic manufacturing companies; holds licenses to publish Marvel, Warner Bros., DC Comics and Sanrio comics and activity books; recently opened Comicave, the world’s largest comic and superhero collectibles destination store at Dubai Outlet Mall; launched Singapore-based Comicave Studios, a manufacturer of high-end collectibles and toys and launched a premiere international events company, Universal Events, which will initially organize the Asia Pop Comic Con events, amongst other international events. Across its multi-entertainment based platforms, AAHG has strategic alliances with Fox Studios, Marvel-Disney, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., and other leading Hollywood studios. With around 9,000 employees, AAHG is headquartered in the UAE, with representative offices across 20 countries globally.

About Al Ahli Publishing and Distribution (www.alahlipublishing.com)

Al Ahli Publishing and Distribution (APD) deals in collectible editions of comic books and related media and is a subsidiary of Al Ahli Holding Group. APD holds the rights to publish and distribute prominent titles in Arabic, English & Persian (for selected regions) languages and is the only company across the region apart from others in the USA, to publish comic books, magazines and activity books for distribution in the GCC, Middle East, North Africa and Persia. The company manages the licensing and publishing rights for many intellectual properties – from the largest studios and companies in the world, including Marvel, Disney, Warner Bros and Sanrio. The company currently distributes in over 12 countries and will shortly launch collectible editions and master works editions of various titles.