New Graphic Novel Uses Beauty and Power of Martial Arts to Highlight the Inner Strength and Mercy of Women

2014 Global Premiere of Jabal Entertainment’s ‘Blades of Hope’ Series at Middle East Film and Comic Con in Dubai to Impress Region’s Growing Base of Female Martial Arts Fans;

Series’ Female Creator to Break Bricks and Boards Onsite for Fans Attending Event

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The region is bracing for what is expected to be one of 2014’s most exciting and well-received graphic novel launches, ‘Blades of Hope’.  ‘Blades’ is to be globally-premiered at the upcoming Middle East Film and Comic Con event taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre 3-5 April, according to its publisher.

The young adult graphic novel series highlights the inner strength of women through a celebration of martial arts, says ‘Blades of Hope’ publisher Jabal Entertainment, and co-creator, Ms. Paige Hartman.

The timing of the series launch could not be better, with the Gulf region’s female interest in martial arts surging, following a host of recently-concluded, regionally-hosted martial arts events, as well as Dubai’s Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum continuing on her competitive Tae Kwon Do medal winning pursuits.

“Blades of Hope shines the light on the inner strength laced by mercy found, but too often overlooked, in women.  The series manifests and expresses this strength and mercy through the beauty and power of martial arts, a discipline that is taking on newfound levels of female interest in the region,” says Hartman, herself a US-certified school counselor and accomplished Tae Kwon Do enthusiast who will be conducting board and brick breaking displays for fans at the event’s Jabal Entertainment exhibition stand.

The Blades of Hope story takes place in a future where a world-changing event has brought chaos and social upheaval.  An international martial arts festival is held to identify and select those who might serve as peacekeepers, when six female martial artists from different corners of the globe find themselves becoming a team that inspires all through heroic action and noble character.

“’Blades of Hope’ challenges readers because it asks the question: ‘Is there a hero in us all? The series reflects Jabal Entertainment’s belief that genre storytelling has evolved to reflect today’s impressions of women and the critical role they play in positively shaping the societies in which we live,” says US-based Sohaib Awan, founder of Jabal Entertainment and publisher of ‘Blades of Hope’ (Awan is also the creator of the internationally-acclaimed ‘Jinnrise’ from IDW Publishing).

A first for a comic book series, the stylish clothes worn by the protagonists will be produced and available for purchase.  The articles of clothing will be functional, intended for every-day wear, and are not costumes or cosplay.

Blades of Hope will also highlight the cultural nuances of the nations visited.  Based on extensive academic research, the series will offer accurate insights into the traditions of the characters’ homelands.

Jabal Entertainment last year unveiled two, now critically-acclaimed series – Jinnrise and Drawn – at the annual Middle East Film and Comic Con event in Dubai.