Discovered in 2013 thanks to her webcomic on Tumblr "Qahera", the young woman decided to devote herself to graphic novels, following the examples of Joe Sacco with "Palestine" and Amir and Khalil with "Zahra's Paradise". Her book "Shubeik Lubeik" won in 2017 the best graphic novel award and the grand prize of the CairoMix festival. It was published in 2018 in Egypt. She then continued "Shubeik Lubeik" which became a trilogy. It has been published in English this month (and translated by the author herself).
Synopsis of "Shubeik Lubeik": "A brilliantly original first graphic novel that imagines a fantastical alternative Cairo where wishes really do come true. "Shubeik Lubeik', or 'your wish is my command' in Arabic, is the story of three people who navigate a world where wishes are literally for sale. Three of them are sold at an unassuming kiosk in Cairo, linking the fates of Aziza, Nour and Shokry, ..."
"There is so much talent and innovation in the Arab world (...) The field is changing rapidly. Five years ago, publishing the "Shubeik Lubeik" trilogy would have seemed impossible. Events like the CairoComix Festival have allowed the industry to grow." - Deena Mohamed (interviewed for The National).
"I hope that the future of Arab comics will be one where readers can enjoy bold creative work and artists can make a dignified living doing what they love - a future that will move our region forward and make everyone aware of the power of storytelling through comics."
Photo: Cairo in "Shubeik Lubeik", copyright Deena Mohamed.