The 99: Islamic superheroes going global

Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa created The 99 as a way to highlight univeral values and re-define Islamic culture.

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The Islamic superheroes

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• "The 99" is a comic book series created by Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa.
• Justice League, with Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, teamed up with 'The 99' in 2010 after DC Comics had agreed to a six-issue crossover.
• The comic books have become a childrens' website, animated series and there are plans to create a theme park in Kuwait.

( Editor's note: Watch CNN's TV theme week Comic Book Heroes from June 10-17 on World Report, CNN Newstream and I-desk.

Ten years ago a Kuwaiti graduate from an American business school took a cab ride through London. By the end of the journey he had formed an idea which would spread across the world.

It was the wake of 9/11, and Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa decided to create Islamic superheroes. Islamic religion and culture had become a global talking point and instead of complaining about the representation of his culture, Al-Mutawa decided to re-define it.

Islamic superheroes team with Superman

"Everytime something terrible happens in the name of my culture, my culture becomes diluted. I wanted to grab the bull by the horns and change it," Al-Mutawa explained in an interview with CNN.

And so the CEO of Teshkeel Media Group created 'The 99' -- a comic book series inspired by principles within his faith.