A new Marvel X-Men comic has been pulled from release after it was discovered that within the art the artist hid messages from the Quran referencing verses intolerant of Christians and Jews.
Indonesian artist Ardian Syaf embedded “QS 5:51” and “212” in the artwork for the first issue of "X-Men Gold," a new series in Marvel’s ResurrXion project, which is aimed at re-energizing X-Men.
The references allude to a Sura in the Quran that has been used to oppose the current leader of Jakarta, who is a Christian, Vulture reported. The Sura has been interpreted by opponents of the ruler, Ahok, that Jews and Christians should not be leaders.
The Quran messages would be instantly recognizable to other Muslims who support the movement, which spawned protests late last year as Ahok tried to characterize the interpretation of the Sura as incorrect.
The reference to the Sura was used on a character’s shirt in a scene where a Jewish woman becomes the leader of the X-Men.
Marvel pulled the comic from the shelves and removed it from sale online.
Marvel also made a statement that “disciplinary action is being taken” against Syaf, although it did not say exactly what that action is, The Washington Times reported.
“The mentioned artwork in X-Men Gold #1 was inserted without knowledge behind its reported meanings,” the statement also said. “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.”
Twitter users seemed angry about Syaf’s hidden messages and wanted to see him fired.
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