In a 1965 issue of Al-Kawākib, a children’s special-edition comic book series titled Samir Presents (معرض سمير يقدم) formally announces the ongoing construction of the Aswan Dam in Egypt. Construction of the dam began in 1960 and persisted until its completion in 1970; though, at the time of this particular issue, the dam was not yet open to the public. The “Samir Presents” print editions played a consequential role in disseminating national identity to Arabic audiences through iconic illustrations.

In this example, the comic deploys markedly nationalistic and hyperbolic language in reference to the Aswan Dam with the phrase, “the world’s greatest project.” It is framed this way to draw attention toward the grandeur of the project, and the pride shared among Egyptians for an ambitious nationalization project devised by Nasser.

Aswan, North Africa, Egypt

Dam