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Indonesian 'X-Men Gold' comic writer inserts anti-Ahok references in comic book, ignites controversy
The first issue of X-Men Gold from Marvel has caused an outcry among Indonesian netizens since it contains symbols related to current religious and political issues happening in Indonesia.
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'X-Men Gold #1' by Ardian Syaf, Jay Leisten and Frank Martin. (facebook.com/ArdianSyafComicArt/File)
T
he first issue of X-Men Gold from Marvel has caused an outcry among Indonesian netizens as it contains symbols related to current religious and political issues happening in Indonesia.
Created by Indonesian Ardian Syaf, the symbols in the new comic series reference the protests against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
In one of the panels showing a baseball match between the new members of the X-Men, “QS 5:51” is written on Colossus’s shirt.
Another panel also shows the numbers “212” above a building near to X-Men leader Kitty Pryde’s head, one of the most prominent Jewish heroes in Marvel Comics, according to io9.gizmodo.
QS 5:51 is allegedly a reference to the surah Al Maidah verse 51 of the Quran.
Ahok, a Christian and a Chinese-Indonesian operating in a Muslim-majority country, angered Muslim groups after he referenced the verse during a visit to Thousand Islands regency on Sept. 27, 2016.
Following an investigation, the National Police named him a suspect for alleged blasphemy.
A post shared by Wade Willsun (@wadelives) on
Several rallies have taken place, one of them was the “212 Rally” held on Dec. 2, 2016.
Taking place at National Monument (Monas) square in Central Jakarta, some protesters were found shouting anti-Ahok slogans as they called on the police and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to arrest Ahok.
At that time, Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab warned the government that Muslims would take to the streets again if they were dissatisfied with how the law dealt with Ahok.
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Many netizens have posted their responses to the new comic, including on Adrian's personal Facebook page.
I hope @Marvel fired Ardian Syaf. Disgraceful. He disregarded Bhinneka tunggal ika.
— Ilhamsah D.P. (@Ilham95Tweets) April 9, 2017
Ardian Syaf promoting anti-Semitic and anti-Christian Quran verses in X-Men Gold is like pissing in the @Marvel office water cooler. Bye m8.
— Rob Chinnery (@robchinnery) April 9, 2017
Ardian Syaf basically reached the peak of his career: working for Marvel and he threw that away for the sake of a weak-ass pun
— Aldy (@aldidot) April 9, 2017
The X-Men have always stood for inclusiveness and diversity, not bigotry and hatred. @Marvel needs to remove Ardian Syaf from X-Men ASAP.
— Mike V. (@jetsniper) April 8, 2017
#Ardiansyaf litteraly made a jihad of his career, he got Xmen gold and he blew it big time.....
— ThatKebabGuy (@RickGentusa) April 9, 2017
Meanwhile, Marvel issued a statement to ComicBook.com, saying “The mentioned artwork in X-Men Gold #1 was inserted without knowledge behind its alleged meanings. These implied references do not reflect the views of the writer, editors or anyone else at Marvel and are in direct opposition to the inclusiveness of Marvel Comics and what the X-Men have stood for since their creation.”
Furthermore, Marvel is said to have removed the artwork from subsequent printings, digital versions and trade paperbacks. The company has also handed down “disciplinary action” to Ardian.
Ardian also gave a statement concerning his artwork on his Facebook page.
“The meaning behind the numbers; perhaps some will understand them. If they don't that's okay,” he wrote. “You can comment on it because it's something I can't control. My advice is, although you disagree with me, please say it in a polite way.”
He also shared his conversation with a Marvel fan through Facebook chat, in which he stated that he had already explained the meaning of the numbers to Marvel.
“I don’t hate Jews or Christians. I worked with them for 10 years. Many of them are good friends of mine,” he stated.
“The number is an act of peace in 2-12-2016 [to protest] a governor that committed blasphemy to our Holy Book because police never take him like [other] blasphemers […] QS 5:51 is the verse he mocked, this [holds a] very special memory for me.”
According to Bleeding Cool, Syaf also included Jokowi in one of the panels in the Batgirl comic issue. (kes)
