Get to know Qatari manga author Jassim Al-Mohannadi and how he turns 'what ifs' into worlds

ILoveQatar.net

2 days ago

Manga, Japanese-style comics or graphic novels, is a beloved form of storytelling that showcases a wide variety of themes, genres, stories, and art styles. Jassim Al-Mohannadi is a Qatari self-published Arabic & English manga author behind the action sagas Justice in the Wasteland: REBIRTH and The Human Eradicator, and is about to publish his third series titled P.R.E.Y. Both of Jassim's published manga have garnered over 480k views on MangaPlus Creators alone.
The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team caught up with Jassim to talk about his captivating stories and characters, where he gets inspiration, and exclusive details on his new manga, P.R.E.Y.
ILQ: Please tell us about yourself and what you do.
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: I'm a Qatari manga writer, and I've been self-publishing since 2022—starting with my ongoing series Justice in the Wasteland: REBIRTH. More recently, I signed with TokyoPop for my zombie action manga The Human Eradicator, which was a big milestone for me.
Aside from writing, I'm super passionate about teaching the next generation. I recently got my official trainer's license, and I didn't wait long—I've already started visiting training centers and schools around Qatar to help expose young creators to the world of manga and storytelling.
ILQ: What inspired you to create manga, and how did you start?
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: Funny enough—I didn't grow up reading manga. What I did grow up on were weekly Arabic-translated Western comics. Every Wednesday, I'd head to my local library to pick up new issues of Superman, Batman, The Flash, and others. I genuinely believed I was reading brand-new issues—only to later realize they were ancient.
But honestly, that didn't matter. I enjoyed every single one. Back then, I didn't even have a real passion for writing stories—that came later, when I discovered my first-ever manga: FIST OF THE NORTH STAR (HOKUTO NO KEN). And I can't even describe how much I fell in love with that story.
The post-apocalyptic theme, the emotion, the intensity—it all reminded me of Mad Max: The Road Warrior, which is one of my favorite films ever. That combination of chaos and survival truly captivated me. It pushed me to create something similar, but with my own voice, my own style.
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: It's tough to pick just three—seriously, that's a hard one! But I'll go with the first ones that popped into my head:
FIST OF THE NORTH STAR (HOKUTO NO KEN): I love how emotional and intense it is. The world feels harsh and real, and the way it mixes action with deep moments really stuck with me.
ASHITA NO JOE: This one's all about struggle and perseverance. Joe's journey is rough, but it's inspiring. It's one of those stories that hits you emotionally and stays with you.
CITY HUNTER: It's got that perfect mix of action, comedy, and just the right amount of heart. Ryo is such a fun character to follow—you never know what he'll do next.
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: Justice in the Wasteland: REBIRTH or JITWR is a story heavily inspired by Mad Max 2 in terms of setting—but with a completely different direction. It follows a broken warrior named Sarah, who's searching for redemption in a devastated world she didn't realize she had a hand in destroying.
Along the way, she meets others who share similar goals, though their methods often clash. These differences lead to tension and conflict, but deep down, they all want the same thing: justice—and to rid the world of its ruthless warlords.
As for The Human Eradicator, it's my take on a genre I've always loved: zombies. Movies like Evil Dead and the Resident Evil franchise had a big impact on me, and I wanted to take on that challenge—but in a completely different world from JITWR.
This story is set in a futuristic city called Pluton, filled with advanced tech and a much darker atmosphere. The main character—known only as the Human Eradicator—is a mysterious figure with one goal: wiping out every last zombie as revenge for the death of his daughter. He's joined by Laila, the stunning and sharp chief of Pluton's police department (PPD).
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: The idea for P.R.E.Y. actually came from a real story I read a while ago that stuck with me. A poacher once wounded an Amur tiger in the Russian Far East—and the tiger tracked him down. It waited for him at his cabin, killed him, and may have even destroyed his belongings out of what looked like pure vengeance.
That story, told in The Tiger by John Vaillant, really hit me. I've always been fascinated by bears—their strength, presence, and the myths surrounding them. So I wanted to explore what would happen if you combined that raw, primal force with something more supernatural and emotional.
P.R.E.Y. follows a veteran hunter named Yuri who's sent to track down a killer bear in a frozen village—but he soon realizes the creature might be something else entirely. The story dives into Yuri's inner conflict and self-doubt—his fear that maybe he's no longer capable, or maybe he's not doing the right thing at all.
At its core, P.R.E.Y. also carries a message: hunting for survival is one thing, but hunting for pleasure or sport is something else entirely—and it's wrong.
ILQ: When can people expect P.R.E.Y. to be released, and where can readers find it?
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: P.R.E.Y. is dropping in September 2025. It will be available to read online through MangaPlus Creators, and also for purchase worldwide through my official website.
I'll also be showcasing it at upcoming conventions and events, so people will be able to grab a physical copy in person, too. Whether you're reading from Qatar or anywhere else, you'll definitely be able to access it.
ILQ: Can you describe the genre of manga you create?
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: I try not to make my stories too complicated or target just one specific audience. I want as many people as possible to enjoy them—but at the same time, I know they're not for everyone, and I'm totally okay with that.
Action is definitely my main direction, but it really depends on how I feel while writing. I follow the emotion and the vibe of the story more than sticking to a fixed formula.
ILQ: Where do you get inspiration for your work?
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: Movies, first and foremost. They're my biggest source of inspiration—visually, emotionally, and thematically. Manga and anime come second, but it's usually films that spark the first idea for me.
That said, I tend to look at everything through a creative lens. Whether it's a conversation, a news story, or even just people-watching—I'm always imagining how things could work in a story. Honestly...that's not always a good thing. Sometimes I have to remind myself to just enjoy the moment instead of analysing every little detail like it's part of some hidden plot twist.
ILQ: Can you tell us about your creative process?
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: It starts with a strong WHAT IF. I brainstorm the core idea, develop characters, and build the world around them. I outline heavily before writing the script—every page, panel, and line matters in manga. I also collaborate with artists closely to bring the vision to life.
ILQ: What do you think of the manga and comic scene in Qatar and the Middle East?
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: It's still growing, but the passion is real. More artists, writers, and readers are showing up every year. We need more support, platforms, and visibility—but I truly believe the region has some of the most unique voices out there.
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: Don't wait for permission. Start. Make mistakes. Learn. You don't need to be perfect to begin. Just focus on telling the kind of story you would want to read. And don't be afraid to show your work to the world.
ILQ: Is there anything else you would like to share or let our readers know?
Jassim Al-Mohannadi: Just that I'm incredibly grateful for the support I've received. Every reader, every comment, every share—it means the world. And if you're someone dreaming of writing or creating...do it. You never know who needs your story.
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