Muslim Comics

Assalaamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Alhamdulillah I was given the chance to interview, Steve Iskenderian, the author and illustrator behind the comic series, Gharib The Stranger. Maa shaa Allah it’s a really high quality book. My kids liked it right away. The book reminds me of Star Wars which, interestingly enough, was inspired by Muslim and Arab culture. The art is 3d, so it doesn’t appear that anything was hand drawn. That doesn’t make the work of making the comic any easier however. There’s so much detail in this book. I’m sure it took a long long time to model the assets and design everything, maa shaa Allah.

Below follows our interview, which I think you all should enjoy.

Ahmad: What’s your greatest inspiration for writing your books?

Steve: My greatest inspiration has always been the message. I wanted to convey timeless values that define who we are and pass them on to future generations, but in a modern, engaging way. The visual style draws from Science Fiction and Fantasy, yet reimagined to reflect our own identity and culture.

Ahmad: What’s your family background and how did you start making graphic novels?

Steve: I was born and raised in Paris, France. From a young age, I was drawn to art and storytelling. At one point, I even made a short comic with my brother. But life took me in other directions for a while.
When 3D graphics first appeared, I was amazed — it reignited my passion for visual art. After earning my French Baccalaureate in Literature and Languages, I went to university, then later joined a design school, which opened doors to the video game industry.
In 2000, my life took a deeper turn. My search for meaning led me to Islam, where I found the truth and peace I was looking for. That discovery changed my path forever.

Ahmad: What sort of stories do you want to tell?

Steve: GHARIB The Stranger is an epic sci-fi saga set on a future Earth, scorched, fractured, and ruled by a ruthless Empire where justice has become a memory.
Amid this darkness rises Gharib, a courageous orphan destined to defy this tyranny and bring light and hope back to humanity. This universe will unfold through many stories centered around him, his allies and enemies, and the struggle for truth, justice and freedom.

Ahmad: What impact do you want to leave?

Steve: I want audiences to feel transported into an epic world where they feel exceptional. And leave a lasting impact that inspires, uplifts, entertains, and guides.

Ahmad: Is there any media that you take inspiration from for your work?

Steve: Yes, from the Sci-Fi and Fantasy worlds I grew up with, through movies and games. Their scale and storytelling amazed me, even if their values didn’t align with ours. That inspired me to create our own worlds with meaning and depth. My personal journey and experiences also play a big role.

Ahmad: What’s your favorite movie, game, book or TV show?

Steve: I don’t have a specific one to mention. I draw more from genres themselves, keeping what’s good, leaving what’s harmful. Many great productions are technically brilliant, but sadly, they erode our culture and values.

Ahmad: What’s your opinion on western media and the content they produce for kids?

Steve: Frankly, much of it is harmful. Modern media—movies, games, series—often corrupt values and mislead youth. Many take their beliefs from platforms like Netflix, Disney, or Anime. We must create equally powerful content that builds people up, not tears them down. If we don’t, they might not come back.

Ahmad: What’s the future of Gharib? How many volumes are planned? What’s your dream for the series?

Steve: GHARIB has a rich future, in shā Allāh. The vision spans comics, an animated series, a movie, a video game, and merchandise. Six comic volumes are planned, and we ask Allah for the means to bring it all to reality.

Ahmad: What are some challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Steve: Time and funding. The quality we aim for takes time, and being self-funded slows things down, a lot. With proper support, we could build a strong team and move much faster.

Ahmad: Did you make all the graphics yourself or have a team help you?

Steve: I made the Comics myself. On the project overall, I did everything alone at first. Later, prof. Maher, a former Al Jazeera executive producer, joined me, bringing great experience, insight, and was responsible for the production. Now, Hamza, a young and talented animator and game designer, is helping us test a video game prototype.

Ahmad: Do you have any other projects planned outside of the current series?

Steve: Absolutely. As mentioned, GHARIB The Stranger© is a media universe: Books, Series, Movie, Video game and Merchandise. Currently, we’re testing a video game prototype and planning a webtoon series on YouTube soon. It’s an exciting step forward. Again, funding will determine how fast we can go.

Ahmad: What are your top 3 tips for budding Muslim authors?

Steve:
Be sincere to Allah in your work.
Stay true to your identity.
Strive for excellence in your craft.

Ahmad: What are your socials? How can people contact you? Where can they purchase your books?

Steve: Before sharing the links, we wanted to give something special to your readers: an Essential Guide to the World of GHARIB!

It gives you a deeper look into the story, the universe, and its themes. But wait! There’s more, inside is a FREE LINK TO THE 1ST CHAPTER of the Comics!

Download it now: GHARIB – Essential Guide

Website: www.gharibthestranger.com

Full Comics on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DW485NM6
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@gharibthestranger

Our socials are still quiet for now, most of our energy’s been on building the universe itself. But that’s about to change soon, Allah willing, so stay tuned!

Ahmad: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. I learned a lot and am excited for more of your work. A video game and web series sounds amazing, maa shaa Allah!

If you loved this post then you’ll love my books! Check out my books for Muslim children! Jazaka Allahu khayran!