According to Vice News, the comic book scene in Pakistan is “having a moment” citing it’s energized by the “Marvel and DC movie universes, anime on cable TV, and local comic book artists looking to engage in the issues and vulnerabilities that affect young Pakistani.”
In 2016, Ali Tariq opened All Things Superhero, Pakistan’s first legit comic book store. “I was six years old when my father gave me my first comic book,” says the bookstore owner. “And as I have grown up, my passion for comic books has only increased. Whenever I used to go on holiday abroad I would make a beeline for the nearest comic book store and collect limited edition comics and figurines. So one day my wife just said to me, ‘Why don’t you open up a comic book store in Pakistan, as there is nothing like it here?’ and I was like, ‘Why not? I might as well be the first one to do it.'”
Recently, comic book fans turned out for the third annual Comic Con Lahore (a city known as a “hub of cultural activities” per Comic Con’s website). Wes Malik is one such fan who said this of his experience at Comic Con Lahore.” A lot of people don’t know the comic book scene in Pakistan exists, but those who do try and turn up to these events. In Islamabad, a couple of thousand people showed up, with over 100 cosplayers. Over here you see the same thing. There aren’t many different types of entertainment in Pakistan outside of going out for food or catching a movie, and events like this give millennials and other people looking for something unique a chance to connect with each other.”
