Comic books convey important messages
Comic books provide more than just entertainment - they help to break down stereotypes and support mental health.
MODERN-DAY comic books help to break down stereotypes and forge understanding around mental health issues.
For Reza Adam and Naseemah Desai, owners of comic bookstore Project Mayhem, the positive role that comic books play in society is a subject they are passionate about.
Adam says, “People want to identify with their heroes, whether it’s through their ability to fight through an illness or disease or simply to live another day. They want to aspire to something – something they can link to or cling to. Comic books are empowering.”
Why are comic books relevant today?
Current themes are relevant to navigating modern life with the complex challenges we face as a society.
Adam says, “Themes covered in comic books are cyberbullying, politics, crimes, hijacking, money heists, kids running away from home, LGBTQ issues. These themes are part of the comic book culture.”
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Desai says that one of the comics she highly values is written by a person with autism and describes her daily experiences living with autism. The story helps the reader to understand the challenges an autistic person faces. Ms Marvel is another favourite comic book character for the pair. The narrative follows a teenage Muslim heroine whose parents have emigrated to the United States. The narrative helps to break down stereotypes around the Muslim community.
Desai says these stories deal with identity and show that you don’t need to lose who you are to experience life to the fullest. Comic books emphasise that a person’s differences can become strengths.
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Adam points out, “Superman is an alien – in the comic books, he’s constantly fighting people who think he’s too powerful. The message he hears is ‘go back to where you came from’ or ‘there’s no room for you here’. However, Superman’s weakness is not Kryptonite but rather that he cares about people. Every book has responsibility as a prominent theme and explores the dilemma that comes from the hero enjoying the power at first and then having to shoulder the responsibility that comes with it later.”
The comic-collecting low-down
Collectors range in age from three to 83, say the couple.
When asked about the benefits of starting a comic book collection, the store owners point out that comics are easy to store, to resell, and inexpensive to ship. In the United States, they are treated as a commodity and can even be sent for professional grading.
Rare comic books can be very valuable. Adam says that the comic book where Superman appeared for the first time was auctioned last year, and it realised a price of more than $3m. This, the fourth most valuable comic book of all time, is a 1938 comic book from Action Comics which introduces Superman.
Desai and Adam will be exhibitors at Comic Con Africa. Their business began as an online hobby 11 years ago, after they began trying to source items for themselves. From the beginning, they wanted to build a community with like-minded people. The one-year-old, brick-and-mortar store grew from the dream they shared of dressing up and watching movies with the cosplayer community.
