COMICS: X-MEN: GOLD Artist Sneaks Message Of Intolerance Past Editors

Muslim artist Ardian Syaf managed to sneak hidden anti-Christian and anti-Semitic messages past Marvel editors but he couldn't sneak past the internet. Check out responses from Marvel and Syaf.

By MarkJulian - Apr 10, 2017 07:04 PM EST

Filed Under: Marvel Comics

X-Men Gold #1 was to see a return to X-Men tradition but the controversy surrounding Ardian Syaf is overshadowing what was a solid debut.

The first item of note is the QS 5:51 on Colossus' t-shirt, a reference to Qur’an Surah 5:51 which warns against following Jewish or Christian leaders:

“Oh you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.”

The other item in question was a panel featuring Kitty Pride where the longstanding X-Men character blocked out part of a jewelry store sign to read Jew, which was followed by signage which read 212. This was in reference to the "212 Protest" in Indonesia, where Muslims held a rally on December 12 (hence, 212) to denounce Jakarta's second-ever Christian governor.

@MarkPaniccia Are you aware that Adrian Syaf included bigoted messages in X-Men Gold #1? This shouldn't be allowed. https://t.co/qIyjYgqT5Q pic.twitter.com/drPjBFWYsh
— DJ Rogers (@faluians) April 8, 2017

Marvel provided the following statement:

The mentioned artwork in X-Men Gold #1 was inserted without knowledge behind its reported meanings. These implied references do not reflect the views of the writer, editors or anyone else at Marvel and are in direct opposition of the inclusiveness of Marvel Comics and what the X-Men have stood for since their creation. This artwork will be removed from subsequent printings, digital versions, and trade paperbacks and disciplinary action is being taken.

And it seems swift action was taken as Syaf has taken to his Facebook profile to announce that his career is over.

Hello, Worlds...
My career is over now.
It's the consequence what I did, and I take it.
Please no more mockery, debat [sic], no more hate. I hope all in peace.
In this last chance, I want to tell you the true meaning of the numbers, 212 and QS 5:51.
It is number of JUSTICE. It is number of LOVE. My love to Holy Qur'an...my love to the last prophet, the Messenger...my love to ALLAH, The One God.
My apologize for all the noise. Good bye, May God bless you all. I love all of you.
-Ardian Syaf-

Syaf's Facebook post has predominantly been met with messages of support and applause from Muslims who agree with his surreptitious message.

With Marvel reprinting the issue and pulling it from digtial stores, first-run issues of X-Men: Gold are selling upwards of 4x times their retail value of $4.99 on eBay. Variant issues are going for as high as $50.

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417 Comments

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ...

GhostDog - 4/10/2017, 7:47 PM

Juicerules - 4/10/2017, 7:48 PM

Fire this guy. It's 2017 these type of views are unacceptable anymore.

RexxyC - 4/10/2017, 7:50 PM

@Juicerules - he's already been fired, this is old news.

PBIRD - 4/10/2017, 7:50 PM

I was wondering if this site was going to cover this... and I am all about treating all religions equally as being awful, that verse he is referring to is actually a verse about how the JEWS and CHRISTIANS should have no place in the world as it is moving forward.

so, if he is dumb enough to call that TOLERANCE then he should go.

Yaf - 4/10/2017, 8:17 PM

@PBIRD - Huh, so much for Jews and Christians being "people of the book" as high school taught me.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ...

COMICS: X-MEN: GOLD Artist Sneaks Message Of Intolerance Past Editors

Muslim artist Ardian Syaf managed to sneak hidden anti-Christian and anti-Semitic messages past Marvel editors but he couldn't sneak past the internet. Check out responses from Marvel and Syaf.

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