My latest in PJ Media.
Comic book artist Frank Miller, whose credits include Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Sin City, was all set to appear at the Thought Bubble Yorkshire Comic Art Festival this November in England; in fact, he was listed first among the luminaries who were set to attend. But now he has been dropped and the great minds behind Thought Bubble have apologized for ever inviting him, because, you see, he has committed an unpardonable sin: fifteen years ago, he wrote something that some people have taken as negative toward the Left’s favored religion, Islam.
Spencer Baculi reported in The Mix Friday that Miller “has been removed from the guest list for the upcoming Though Bubble UK Comic Convention after a number of attendees threatened to boycott the event based on their belief that the creator ‘is responsible for propagation of abhorrent anti-Muslim hate.’”
Miller was dropped after Zainab Akhtar, whom The Mix describes as an “award-winning cartoonist and small press publisher ShortBox founder,” said that she would “no longer be attending Thought Bubble festival this November” because Miller was set to be there. Akhtar explained: “As a proud Muslim woman, I cannot in good conscience attend a festival that deems it appropriate to invite and platform Frank Miller, a person who is responsible for the propagation of abhorrent anti-Muslim hate, particularly via his work.”
Akhtar added: “Anti-Muslim bigotry is repugnant and condemnable yet has become so deeply rooted, so widely accepted in society that it is not even given a cursory consideration, as evidenced once again in this situation. I cannot comprehend how time and time again, festivals and communities within comics espouse values regarding inclusivity, diversity, ‘comics being for everyone’, zero tolerance on hate, but all that lip-service evaporates when they are asked to enact those same values.” She complained that she “first contacted Thought Bubble about this privately, 8 weeks ago,” and that the comics mavens had told her that “action would be taken,” but nothing was done. Akhtar took this personally, claiming that “it’s been communicated to me that I am the acceptable loss: repercussions to my career/income over repercussions to theirs.”
All this sounds so heinous, it is remarkable that, as The Mix notes, “Akhtar does not cite any specific instances of anti-Muslim bigotry from Miller.” However, “it is assumed that she is referring to his creation of Holy Terror, a graphic novel in which an original character known as The Fixer sets out to battle Al-Qaeda.”
Yes, that’s right. The Fixer fights al-Qaeda, and that’s “abhorrent anti-Muslim hate.” When the “War on Terror” was young, we were constantly assured by the political and media elites that al-Qaeda had nothing, nothing whatsoever, to do with Islam, and that the war against terrorism was not and must not be construed as a war against Islam or Muslims. Very well. But if that was the case then, why is Zainab Akhtar and others now apparently behaving as if an attack on al-Qaeda constitutes hatred of Muslims?
There is more. Read the rest here.
gravenimage says
‘Batman’ Cartoonist Frank Miller Canceled From Comic Convention For ‘Anti-Muslim Hate’
…………….
Grotesque–he is being “canceled” for creating a comic that opposed *Al Qaeda* after 9/11. Now even opposing Jihad terror is unacceptable to the “woke”.
Hard to believe that comic book heroes fought the Nazis and the Axis during WWII, and no one had a problem with Captain America socking Hitler in the jaw.
Ray Jarman says
You are so correct Gravenimage. Captain America was brought into existence as a warrior combating the NATZIs. Maybe I am mistaken, but I don’t believe that anyone is criticizing Monty Python’s “Life of Brian.” Christians certainly never filled the streets with protestors and John Cleese and Michael Chapman were loved by most.
mortimer says
To RJ: in the matter of Monty Python, a number of Christian leaders did criticize the blasphemy and held polite chats about it on TV with the authors.
Christians are required to love their enemies and pray for those that hate Christianity. Muslims are required to hate their enemies and slay them wherever they find them … especially verbal critics of Islam for whom Sharia law requires a death sentence, since no repentance may be accepted from blasphemers.
gravenimage says
Ray, Mortimer is right that some Christians did indeed crirticize things like the Life of Brian–but all of this was peaceful There was no violence or threats of violence.
And many Christiians also found the LIfe of Brian to be very funny.
william says
gravebimage
Do the Muslim ever stop to think that if their fellow Muslims in Africa and the ME, not to mention the Philippines, and many other places including Europe and USA, were not making such a fine contribution to the murder and rape of innocents and even fellow Muslims, non Muslims might not have such a problem with their religion?
Perhaps Ms Akhtar might take a public stand against all of that! I am unfamiliar with cartoon world but I get the impression that Miller has far greater stature than she has. So why not just let her stay away. Of course, she is a Muslim and a woman at that so her complaint has the greater weight.
gravenimage says
Sure, some Muslims think about this, william. But the response is usually to try to prevent anyone from criticizing Islam, including Jihad terror.
And you are right that Frank Miller is generally highly respected in comics–he was in fact one of the featured speakers at this convention. But he is also an old white guy being accused of being “Islamophobic”, and that is enough these days for many to simply abandon him.
I’m pretty knowledgeable about comics, but I had to look up Zainab Akhtar. She’s a Hijab-wearing Muslimah who has done comics for something called shortbox. I haven’t been able to find out much about her stuff. She first contacted “Thought Bubble” and threatened to sty away if they didn’t force Miller to leave. They *should* ahve told her not to let the door hit her on the way out.
mortimer says
Very good parallel (cited by GI) of the WWII superheroes who fought the Hitlerites and Bushido-cultists of Japan! Al Qaeda is a gang of tyrants and little Hitlers.
In today’s climate, someone would surely accuse them of bigotry and racism, even though the Bushido-cult was not accepted by most Japanese who lived ordinary lives.
In the case of Al Qaeda, the Nazis and the Bushido-cult government of Japan, a group of fanatical ideologues seized power and waged campaigns of dominance against their own societies.
Anyone who fights tyranny is a red-blooded American. Those people are all superheroes to me.
gravenimage says
Thanks, Mortimer. Agreed.
spiro says
That’s a badge of honor for him
If Moslems are offended the don’t go
Maybe go back to your Moslem countries
mortimer says
Miller’s condemnation of Al Qaeda terrorists is NOT bigotry.
‘Holy’ terror is also condemned by Pope Francis … is he also a bigot?
gravenimage says
I’d missed that from Pope Francis–but it does not surprise. He also condemned Charlie Hebdo–*after* the Jihad massacre there. Just appalling.
mortimer says
What about the Koran’s ANTI-KAFIR HATE ???
• MUSLIMS MAY NOT BEFRIEND KAFIRS BECAUSE KORAN SAYS…
• No friendship with disbelievers (3:28, 4:144)
• Be harsh (violent) against disbelievers (48:29)
• The worst of beasts is one who rejects Allah (8:55)
• Severe punishment for atheists (5:10, 5:86)
• No friendship with Jews, Christians (5:51)
• Be firm against disbelievers (9:73)
• Do not befriend your family members who are disbelievers (9:23)
• Disbelievers are unclean (9:28)
• Those who reject Mohammedan faith are dogs (7:176)
• Allah sealed the heart of disbelievers, great penalty (2:7)
• Even if some believe, Allah does not trust them (2:8)
• Allah curses the blasphemers (2:88)
• Allah curses those without Islamic faith (2:89)
• Torment for non-believers (4:56)
• Kill non-believers (4:89)
• In their heart is a disease, Allah has increased the disease (2:10)
• Disbelievers make mischief on earth (2:11,12)
• Wander like blind ones (2:15)
• Deaf, dumb and blind (2:18)
• The fuel of fire is men and stones (2:24)
• Are apes (2:65)
• Most grievous punishment (2:81,104)
• Penalty shall not be lightened (2:86)
• Allah’s wrath and humiliating punishment (2:90)
• Allah is an enemy to those who reject faith (2:98)
• Disgrace and exceeding torment for disbelievers (2:114)
• Companion of blazing fire (2:119)
• Only Islam is acceptable (3:85)
• Punishment for rejecting faith (3:91)
• No friends from outsiders (3:118)
• Allah makes some one more sinful so he can be punished more (3:178)
• Punishment for apostates (3:86-88, 3:90, 4:137, 16:106)
• Non-believers go to hell (4:140, 7:36)
• Partial believers will go to hell too (4:150)
• Intentionally preventing disbelievers from knowing the truth (6:25, 110)
• Allah could guide, if chose to, but He did not (6:35)
• Smite disbelievers at neck and cut off fingers (8:12)
• Penalty for disbelievers is fire (8:14)
• It is not ye who slew them; it was God (8:17)
• Allah is a “plotter” against disbelievers (8:30)
• Disbelievers are impure, will be heaped together and cast into hell (8:37)
• Fight them on until there is no more tumult ….(8:39)
• Taste the fire of blazing fire (8:50)
• Apostle should not take prisoner of war …..(8:67)
• Enjoy booty of disbelievers (8:69)
• After the holy four months slay the pagans wherever you find them (9:5)
• Mosques are for believers only (9:18)
• Disbelievers pay Jizya tax (9:29)
• Grievous punishment for not joining in war (9:39, 48:16))
• Heat will be produced from the wealth the forehead branded (9:35)
• Do not offer prayer at death of disbelievers (9:84,113)
• Fight non-believers (9:123)
• Boiling water for disbelievers (10:4)
• Fire heaving of sighs & sobs for disbelievers (11:106)
• Fire will seize disbelievers (11:113)
• Yokes around necks, companions of fire (13:5, 2:81)
• End of disbeliever is fire (13:35)
• Intentionally misguiding those whom he pleases (14:4)
• Boiling fetid water to drink) (14:16)
• In gulp boiling water, death (14:17)
• Disbelievers covered with shame and misery (16:31)
• Fire for the pagans (16:62)
• Hell a prison for those rejecting faith (17:8)
• Disbelievers will burn in hell (17:18)
• God destroys or punishes a population (17:58)
• Intentionally preventing disbelievers from understanding Quran (17:45-46)
• It is God who causes people to err and He punishes them for that (17:97)
• Increases the fierceness of the fire (17:98)
• Terrible punishment for disbelievers (18:2)
• Fire like walls, roofs, waterlike melted brass to drink (18:29)
• Sinners will not find a way to escape fire (18:53)
• A veil put on heart (18:57)
• Hell as entertainment for disbelievers.(18:102)
• Those rejecting prayers face destruction (19:59)
• Disbelievers brought on their knees round hell (19:68, 72)
• Disbelievers will be burnt (19:70)
gravenimage says
Quite an ugly list, Mortimer–thanks.
Janice D says
and Christians are told to turn the other cheek? to be compliant, like sheep to the slaughter. Perhaps they should also loan the cost of the weapons that are used against them? Definitely make excuses in court…so where does this passive acceptance of abuse come from? No one seems to be able or willing to answer. Have asked before, but no suggestions.
Ade Fegan says
We need a religion that teaches us to be smart ..
Not suckers / lambs to the slaughter
and not aggressors/ haters ..
Until that day I have my own personal religion
Laura says
That is not why Christians are told to turn the other cheek. It’s out of obedience to God, not passivity to man. This is His battle, it always has been. Turning the other cheek is kinda like staying out of Gods way. Passive cowards can’t love their children let alone love their enemies, which is another instruction Christians are to follow. Not passive sheep in denial, but obedient soldiers waiting on their Lord.
Laura says
This passive acceptance of abuse come from lazy cowardly hypocrisy. Not the Bible. Gods definition of love requires bravery and selflessness. The world calls popularity love and the “well meaning” are too dumb and scared to even try.
gravenimage says
Janice and Ade, this is not what Christianity teaches. In fact, you would not be free today if brave Christians had not fought the spread of Islam for centuries.
Ade Fegan says
brilliant list I will add this to my folders if that’s OK
maria says
These are satanic verses that prove that islam and muslims are inhuman nazi-communist murderers. They must be thrown out from the US, CAnada, Europe, Latin America , Australia,New Zealand, Asia. In Africa they can live in a kind of zoo without weapons and all modern facitilies
william says
Sadly that will not happen as many, if not most of them have acquired citizenship and rights. That makes them protected by the very same laws they seek to subvert
James Lincoln says
Only 77 citations, mortimer?
I’m really disappointed! (sarc/off.)
mortimer says
I edited a longer list. (no sarc)
Donovan Nuera says
I thought allah said you can’t draw depictions of people or animals? Her cartoons must be boring.
Lavéritétriomphera says
+1
I cannot help but think the Muslims (and some no-Muslims) are no strangers to contradictions, and they take us for naïve people! In my opinion it’s clear it works in a part of the population.
I am thinking in particular of those who turn a blind eye, be they Muslims or non-Muslims on all sides.
So far as I know Freedom of expression is a fundamental value in the West.
Obviously, we cannot assert anything, but that must not stop us from forming our own opinion.
At least we can be sure that times are changing: https://www.brightworkresearch.com/muslims-are-afraid-to-read-the-koran-lest-they-feel-contradictions/.
mortimer says
Her cartoons will probably include blasphemers who must be assassinated according to Sharia law.
Zainab Akhtar is complaining about MIller’s BLASPHEMY. He should not attack JIHADISTS like Al Qaeda … but Al Qaeda may attack Miller without a peep from Zainab Akhtar.
Zainab Akhtar should be asked: ‘Are you a support or a detractor of Al Qaeda, the terrorist organization?’
Either way, she will be in trouble with other Muslims and society at large.
Lavéritétriomphera says
I doubt the sincerity of Zainab Akhtar. Frank Miller is simply left aside and this raises several questions.
mortimer says
Yes, it raises the following question: What is the comic convention actually implying here?
Frank Miller’s comics implied that Al Qaeda DOES NOT represent real Islam and so it is just to fight them.
However, Zainab Akhtar has convinced the comic convention that Al Qaeda’s terrorism may NOT be criticized, because Al Qaeda represents ‘REAL ISLAM’, thus she and the comics convention are actually APPROVING Al Qaeda’s terrorism!
They cannot have it both ways … Al Qaeda is or it is not ‘authentic’ Islam? So which is it?
By agreeing with Zainab Akhtar, the Comic Convention has UNWITTINGLY agreed that Islam is NOT a religion of peace, but a religion of TERRORISTS … terrorists like Al Qaeda whom we must not criticize no matter how many 9-11’s they conduct.
Lavéritétriomphera says
@Mortimer
Yes,
However Zainab Akhtar knows Islam is not a religion of peace and tolerance or then she didn’t read the Quran and hadiths.
She is putting on a show, and I don’t believe her.
Personal reasons could be at stake …
gravenimage says
She does indeed draw people–just not all that well. Another Muslim hypocrite.
She is mostly a comics critic, from the looks of things.
She has whined before about comics being “two white”.
winston says
anyone with historical knowledge, know-how, a good mind and high moral values is furious anti-Islam. and always anti-national socialist too
Ade Fegan says
Freddy Krueger ?
Ade Fegan says
Freddy Krueger ?
Bikinis not Burkas says
Can Muslims be cancelled from America for their hatred in bringing down the twin towers?
mortimer says
To BNB: no, they may not legally be canceled for expressing support, but only 15% of Muslims give their approval to terrorist groups.
It is socially acceptable to support terrorist groups in Pakistan … in America, not so much.
Infidel says
Your proof for this claim that only 15% muslims support terror groups?
mortimer says
Look it up, baby! It’s in the surveys. Lots of surveys. I have posted many times.
Savyone says
Their surveys cannot be trusted. Muslims are not going to reveal their truthful thoughts to those they call the infidels.
Do we really believe the census report on the population of Muslims in the U.S. Way under reported because Muslims are not going to fully participate in reporting their numbers. What about the Muslims who cheered when the Twin Tower were taken down? They were cheering the action of the terrorists. I think 15% is far too low a number. We can’t forget Taqiyya.
gravenimage says
And over 50% of Muslims even in the US want to see brutal Shari’ah imposed on us all.
Mike Ramirez says
Reality Finally Sets In! The answer is found in more than philosophical, theological, and even psychological assessments to conclude that humans are never going to have peace with one another. This is not just about Israeli peace with the Palestinians and the rest of the world that vows to destroy Jews. This is about the flawed human condition of interpersonal, group, societal and national rivalry and prejudice that causes disagreements and hatred to arise. Even in a completely Atheistic world, there would still be territorial wars, supremacist attitudes and hatred toward others who are viewed as rivals or outcasts for whatever reason.
The concept of Good and Evil exists and that is the reason this world’s humanity will never be able to be at peace with one another. Even within immediate and extended families there are troubles and troublemakers which disrupt any goal of living peaceably. Not to mention bitterness between next door neighbors. There is a way to true Peace, it’s just that the majority of humans reject it. Human pride, envy, hatred and contempt are contributors to the fall and failure to have peace with one another. That’s why there will never be peace among mankind.
gravenimage says
Mike, the idea that good people considering Jihad terror to be evil is the root of violence is mistaken. In fact, it is imporant to consider standing Jihad terror as a good and courageous thing.
Then, the idea that everyone is as evil as Jihad terrorists is simply mistaken. Yes, everyone is flawed–but no, not everyone is murderously violent. Islam does teach this, though.
notnolib says
She’s a muslim. They thrive on outrage. Ask the terrorists at the terror organization CAIR, or any of their terrorist members, supporters, officers, and staff.
Mike Ramirez says
To BNB, Mortimer, et al: Will there ever be peace as long as the ideologies of Islam, Socialism, Naziism, Communism, or any kind of totalitarianism exists?
Reality Finally Sets In! The answer is found in more than philosophical, theological, and even psychological assessments to conclude that humans are never going to have peace with one another. This is not just about Israeli peace with the Palestinians and the rest of the world that vows to destroy Jews. This is about the flawed human condition of interpersonal, group, societal and national rivalry and prejudice that causes disagreements and hatred to arise. Even in a completely Atheistic world, there would still be territorial wars, supremacist attitudes and hatred toward others who are viewed as rivals or outcasts for whatever reason.
The concept of Good and Evil exists and that is the reason this world’s humanity will never be able to be at peace with one another. Even within immediate and extended families there are troubles and troublemakers which disrupt any goal of living peaceably. Not to mention bitterness between next door neighbors. There is a way to true Peace, it’s just that the majority of humans reject it. Human pride, envy, hatred and contempt are contributors to the fall and failure to have peace with one another. That’s why there will never be peace among mankind – until the True Prince of Peace, Yeshua (Jesus) returns as the Jewish Moshiach ben David, and sets up God’s Millennial Kingdom on earth.
gravenimage says
You can decide that everyone is as bad as Jihad terrorists if you so desire. Personally, I think the idea that there there is no difference between ideologies and individuals because no one is perfect is false moral equivalence. Some of us plan to take a stand against Islam.
You can, of course, do what you so desire.
OLD GUY says
And with islam freedom of expression is gone, except the muslims males right to express his freedom of the rape of infidel girls and women. How strange is that?
Being barbaric is fine if you are a muslim/islamic male, but don’t talk about it.
Giacomo Latta says
Well, why not? Only someone whose mind stopped growing and ceased to function at 14 years of age would believe muslim propaganda such as that which would be produced by someone making the following comment.
‘The Fixer fights al-Qaeda, and that’s “abhorrent anti-Muslim hate.”’
Whereas, back in the real world (you know, Akhtar? No? Never mind.), 9/11 was a display of love that muslims have for all that is non-muslim. If that wasn’t abhorrent hate then I don’t know what is.
Crusades Were Right says
“As a proud Muslim woman…”
Thank you, Ms Akhtar, for providing us with an excellent example of how Islam is profoundly different from Christianity.
Anyone ever heard of someone declaring himself to be a “proud Christian”?
I would recommend watching the videos of Nonie Darwish – an Egyptian-American ex-Muslim Christian – who neatly demonstrates that the core values of Islam and Christianity are not only different… they are OPPOSITES.
Aussie Infidel says
Mortimer, Zainab Akhtar says that she is “a proud Muslim woman”. I wonder which of the many verses you have listed, is she proud of? Or does she think that those verses have been perverted from the mythical original peaceful verses received by Muhammad? Or is she just another taqiyya peddling Muslim trying to whitewash Islam, by conflating Muslims (people) with Islam (the ideology)?
PS: I have it on good authority from one of our leading academics that there is no hatred or violence in the Quran. And of course, pigs might also fly!