PaakLegion is a comic series created by Umair Najeeb Khan, a 25-year old graphic designer who loves all forms of visual arts. He has worked on publicity design for films, worked on campaigns like the Clean Green Punjab, UNICEF, a child abuse campaign for the EU and Ministry of Human Rights and illustrated children’s books as well.
PaakLegion is his first comic series. The 12 characters in the story lead ordinary lives by day and by night, turn into remarkable humans with extraordinary abilities. The series features a world where these individuals are called upon to save the society and use their talents for good. The two key themes that remain constant in the series and strength through struggles and inspiration through perseverance. The culture is the typical Pakistani culture but these superheroes go beyond the limitations and the barriers and bring forth the best Pakistan has to offer. Umair comments, “The first thing you think about when it comes to superheroes are Superman and Batman, but they look a certain way and they fit a certain criterion. And if you think about a Pakistani superhero, a ‘Pakistan Man’ comes to mind; it’s not only an obvious choice but an outdated one too.”
The first of the 12 characters is Samaa, then we have Azam, Raad, Afsoon, Balaj, Divya, Haajar, Sofiyan, Marvi, Omran, and Bazira. All characters come from different backgrounds and ethnicities presiding in Pakistan. Apart from the interesting visuals, the best thing about this series is that it is a perfect mixture of everything we do not know about our society and culture. Umair brings out the best in terms of art and story. He says, “Pakistan has a rich and diverse culture that is not highlighted in the public eye. With the PaakLegion series, I am to bring forth culture and heritage of all the wonderful people of Pakistan and get them the representation they deserve.”
Cover Image: www.samaa.tv/lifeandstyle/2019/11/twelve-new-superheroes-coming-to-change-pakistans-comic-book-industry & www.facebook.com/UmairNajeebKhanOfficial
