The novels' main character, Adham Sabri, is a highly-skilled military trained professional, employing many hand-to-hand combat techniques into his style (such as karate and Tae Kwon Do), and is often involved in espionage situations that would be deemed by many as impossible to succeed in. He has been teamed up with his long partner Mona Tawfeik which he later falls in love with but they never marry. He was killed in one of the novels but was again brought back in the next issue. He also lost his memory and was married to his long life rival Sonia Graham.
While the series is definetly inspired by the popularity of James Bond movies in the Arabic part of the Middle East, it's author Nabil Farouk went to extreme measures to make sure his creation wouldn't be seen as an Arabic copy of 007, the main character, Sabri doesn't rely on gadgets, doesn't go to bed with the ladies, never beats women or hurts them and usually never kills. The publishing company has hyped this to point of shamelessly promoting that Sabri makes Bond look like an amatuer (Yeah right. Sorry, Mr. Farouk but Sabri's got nothing on 007. )
The novel also has a nationalistic tone then again most ficitional works are one way or the other.
Adham's portrait and all other's Ragol Al Mostaheel characters were illustrated by the famous Egyptian artist Ismail Diab.
This particular picture is a portrait of both the author Nabil Farouk and his creation Adham Sabri.
A scene from a short animated series based on the novels:
http://uk.youtube.co...feature=related
There's currently a movie in the works:
http://www.variety.c...2...d=2523&cs=1Saudi Prince sets spy pic
Bin Talal's co. acquires rights to 'Ragol'
By ALI JAAFARMore Articles:
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Saudi billionaire maven Prince Waleed Bin Talal's Rotana Films is bringing the Arab world's very own kick- secret agent to the bigscreen.
Rotana has acquired the rights to Egyptian writer Nabil Farouk's "Ragol al mostaheel" ("Man of the Impossible") 25 years after the bestselling book was first published. The book centers on the adventures of Adham Sabri, a highly skilled Egyptian superspy, whose exploits often see him foiling the rival intelligence agencies of the U.S., Russia and Israel.
The move is a coup for Rotana Films prexy Frederic Sichler, who was tapped by Prince Waleed in January from Studio Canal with the stated aim of turning his shingle, one of the largest distributors and producers of Arab films and pop music, into an international shingle.
Farouk had been courted by film producers ever since the book's publication but had resisted. Egyptian scribe Mohammed Hefzy is on board to write the project, which is set to hit cinemas sometime in 2009. There is no word yet on who will play the plum role of Sabri.
Rotana will co-produce and co-finance the project, which is already gearing up to be a must-see Arab film next year.
"We're going to hold a beauty contest of Arab producers and decide who we want to work with," quips Sichler. "There is no doubt it will be one of the most important productions in the Middle East next year. It might not be that exciting for people in Los Angeles but it marks a major step forward for us in the Middle East."
Sichler has been quietly coming to grips with the vagaries of the Arab film biz. Based in Cairo, where Rotana produces, co-produces or acquires up to 30 Egyptian films a year, Sichler, along with Rotana's head of production Ayman Halawani, is unveiling the series of projects designed to turn Rotana into an international player.
This month Rotana is sponsoring a master class for Arab scribes by screenwriting guru Syd Field. Rotana will reserve the right to develop further the most promising projects for potential production.
Sichler has also held a number of meetings with studio execs, most notably with Fox, about the possibility of collaborating in the future. Prince Waleed is a substantial investor in Fox parent News Corp. and is known to have a close relationship with Rupert Murdoch. The two companies are already working together in TV having launched joint venture satellite channel Fox Movies in the Arab world this May.
While a similar deal between the film divisions is still some way off, it is an indication of Sichler's future ambitions for the shingle.
"When I came here I settled to be 100% Egyptian," says Sichler, who had been set to join a U.S. company before the Prince came knocking. "The talent here is everywhere. Our top priority is to deliver strong Arab content and make Arab films which work internationally. We are going to build the distribution outlets and get the stories out. No other part of the world is so absolutely crucial to the future of the world. People are waiting for strong, relevant artistic stories that show the Arab point of view. The Middle East is filled with politics and religion but that is only part of it. That is not the only story."
Here's the complete list of the series provided by Wikipedia:
Al Ekhtefaa Al Ghamed (الاختفاء الغامض) (The Mysterious Disappearance).
Sebak Al Mawt (سباق الموت) (The Death Race).
kenaa Al Khatar (قناع الخطر) (The Mask of Danger).
Saed Al Gwasses (صائد الجواسيس) (The Spy Hunter).
Al Gleed Al Damy (الجليد الدامي) (The Bloody Ice).
Ktal Al Zeaab (قتال الذئاب) (The Clash of Wolves).
Bareeq Al Mas (بريق الماس) (The Diamond Shine).
Gareem Al Shaytan (غريم الشيطان) (The Devil's Nemesis).
Anyab Al Thoaban (أنياب الثعبان) (The Snake's Canine).
Al Maal Al Mloon (المال الملعون) (The Cursed Money).
Al Moamara Al Khafeyya (المؤامرة الخفية) (The Covert Conspiracy).
Holafaa Al Shar (حلفاء الشر) (The Allies of Evil).
Ard Al Ahwaal (أرض الأهوال) (The Land of Terrors).
Amleyyet Mont Carlo (عملية مونت كارلو) (Operation Monte Carlo).
Embradoreyyet Al Sem (إمبراطورية السم) (The Empire of Venom).
Al Khedaa Al Akheera (الخدعة الأخيرة) (The Last Ruse).
Entqam Al Akraab (انتقام العقرب) (The Revenge of the Scorpion).
Kaher Al Amaleqa (قاهر العمالقة) (The Ultimate Victor).
Abwab Al Gaheem (أبواب الجحيم) (The Gates of Hell).
Thaalab Al Tholoog (ثعلب الثلوج) (The Snow Fox).
Mdeeq Al Neraan (مضيق النيران) (The Terra
Assabea Al Damar (أصابع الدمار) (The Fingers of Destruction).
Fares Al Loaloa (فارس الؤلؤ) (The Knight of Diamonds).
Al Dabaab Al Katel (الضباب القاتل) (The Deadly Fog).
Al Khenger Al Faddy (الخنجر الفضي) (The Silver Dagger).
Akher Al Gababera (آخر الجبابرة) (The Last of the Giants).
Al Gawhara Al Sawdaa (الجوهرة السوداء) (The Black Diamond).
Qalb Al Aasefah (قلب العاصفة) (The Heart of the Storm).
Al Seraa Al Shaytani (الصراع الشيطاني) (The Clash of Demons).
Al Remal Al Mohtareka (الرمال المحترقة) (The Scalding Sand).
Al Khatwah Al Oolah (الخطوة الأولى) (The First Step).
Khayt Al Lahab (خيط اللهب) (The
Al Kowwah Alif ((القوة (أ) (The Alpha Force).
Mard Al Ghadab (مارد الغضب) (The Raging Giant).
Karasenat Al Gaww (قراصنة الجو) (The Sky Pirates).
Zaeb Al Ahrash (ذئب الأحراش) (The Jungle Wolf).
Makhlab Al Shaytan (مخلب الشيطان) (Tha Devil's Claw).
Leabet Al Mohtarefeen (لعبة المحترفين) (The Game of Pros).
Aamaq Al Khatar (أعماق الخطر) (The Bedrocks of Danger).
Mehnty Al Qatl (مهنتي القتل) (Murder is my Game).
Al Entharyyon (الانتحاريون) (The Kamikaze).
Al Hadaf Al Katel (الهدف القاتل) (The Deadly Target).
Al Makhater (المخاطر) (The Stuntman).
Al Ein Al Thaletha (العين الثالثة) (The Third Eye).
Al Kodban Al Galedeyya (القضبان الجليدية) (The Icey Rails).
Laheeb Al Thalg (لهيب الثلج) (The Flames of Ice).
Al Rossassa Al Zahabeyya (الرصاصة الذهبية) (The Golden Bullet).
Shaytan Al Mafia (شيطان المافيا) (The Mafia's Nightmare).
Al Darba Al Kadeya (الضربة القاضية) (The Lethal Strike).
Mohemma Khassa (مهمة خاصة) (A Special Mission).
Semm Al Kobra (سم الكوبرا) (The Cobra's Venom).
Gebal Al Mout (جبال الموت) (The Mountains of Death).
Zeaab Wa Demaa (ذئاب و دماء) (Wolves and Blood).
Rehlet Al Halak (رحلة الهلاك) (The Death Trip).
Afaa Barshlona (أفعى برشلونة) (The Serpent of Barcelona).
Al Fahd Al Abyad (الفهد الأبيض) (The White Jaguar).
Amaleyyet Al Adghal (عملية الأدغال) (The Jungle Mission).
Eadaam Batal (إعدام بطل) (Execution of a Hero).
Entqam Shabah (انتقام شبح) (The Wrath of a Ghost).
Donna Karoleena (دونا كارولينا) (Dona Carolina).
Malaekat Al Gaheem (ملائكة الجحيم) (The Angels of Hell).
Malek Al Esabat (ملك العصابات) (The King of Gangs).
Al Jassoos (الجاسوس) (The Spy).
Taht Al Sefr (تحت الصفر) (Sub-Zero).
Al Galeed Al Moshtael (الجليد المشتعل).
Alf Wagh (ألف وجه) (A Thousand Faces).
Al Gaheem Al Mozdawag (الجحيم المزدوج) (The Double Ice).
Kaleet Al Sokoor (قلعة الصقور) (The Castle of Falcons).
Agnehet Al Enteqam (أجنحة الانتقام) (The Wings of Revenge).
Abateret Al Sharr (أباطرة الشر) (The Emperors of Evil).
Ded Al Kanoon (ضد القانون) (Against the Law).
Shareeat Al Ghaab (شريعة الغاب) (The Law of the Jungle).
Al Motakal Al Raheeb (المعتقل الرهيب) (The Horrific Prison).
Al Daera Al Gohannameyya (الدائرة الجهنمية) (The Deadly Perimeter).
Aswar Al Gaheem (أسوار الجحيم) (The Fences of Hell).
Al Nahr Al Aswad (النهر الأسود) (The Black River).
Amaleket Marselya (عمالقة مرسيليا) (The Giants of Marseille).
Saharaa Al Damm (صحراء الدم) (The Desert of Blood).
Safket Al Mout (صفقة الموت) (The Deal of Death).
Wakr Al Erhab (وكر الإرهاب) .
Al Ragol Al Akher (الرجل الآخر) (The Other One).
Al Akhtoboot (الأخطبوط) (The Octopus).
Maaraket Al Kemma (معركة القمة).
Gazeerat Al Gaheem (جزيرة الجحيم) (The Island of Hell).
Lamset Al Sharr (لمسة الشر) (The Touch of Evil).
Al Thaalab (الثعلب).
Khat Al Mowagaha (خط المواجهة) (The Line of Confrontation).
Safeer Al Khatar (سفير الخطر) (The Ambassador of Danger).
Kabdet Al Saffah (قبضة السفاح) (The Grasp of the Butcher).
Al Hadaf (الهدف) (The Target).
Al Wagh Al Khafy (الوجه الخفي) (The Hidden Face).
Al Khatar (الخطر) (The Danger).
Ard Al Adeww (أرض العدو) (The Land of the Enemy).
Katebet Al Damar (كتيبة الدمار) (The Battalion of Destruction).
Al Seraa Al Wafshy (الصراع الوحشى).
Al Maaraka Al Fasela (المعركة الفاصلة).
Al Sakr Al Aama (الصقر الأعمى) (The Blind Falcon).
Al Kannas (القناص) (The Hitman).
Mazaak Al Damm (مذاق الدم) (The Taste of Blood).
Al Darba Al Kassema (الضربة القاصمة).
Enkelab (انقلاب) (Revolt).
Nahr Al Damm (نهر الدم) (The River of Blood).
Al Mohtaref (المحترف) (The Professional).
Al Eaassar Al Ahmar (الإعصار الأحمر).
Akareb Al Saaa (عقارب الساعة).
Al Afaa (الأفعى) (The Viper)
Ettehad Al Katalah (اتحاد القتلة) (The Association of Assassins).
Al Fakhkh (الفخ) (The Trap).
Kabdet Al Sharr (قبضة الشر).
Eghtyal (اغتيال) (Assassination).
Mabad Al Gareema (معبد الجريمة) (The Temple of Crime).
Al Fareek Al Aswad (الفريق الأسود) (The Black Team).
Reyah Al Khatar (رياح الخطر) (The Winds of Danger).
Mamarr Al Gaheem (ممر الجحيم).
Bela Rahma (بلا رحمة) (No Mercy).
Mahragan Al Mout (مهرجان الموت).
Amaleket Al Gebaal (عمالقة الجبال) (The Giants of the Mountains).
Al Aarbaa Al Kebar (الأربعة الكبار).
Foq Al Kemma (فوق القمة).
Al Sanyora (السنيورا) (The Signora).
Wagh Al Afaa (وجه الأفعى).
Al Assabea Al Zahabeyya (الأصابع الذهبية) (The Golden Fingers).
Al Mostaheel (المستحيل) (The Impossible).
Al Lamsa Al Akheera (اللمسة الأخيرة) (The Final Touch).
Amaleyyet Al Neel (عملية النيل).
Saet Al Sefr (ساعة الصفر) (The Zero Hour).
Noktet Al Daef (نقطة الضعف) (The Weak Point).
Al Sahwa (الصحوة).
Al Karasena (القراصنة) (The Pirates).
Moheet Al Damm (محيط الدم) (The Ocean of Blood).
Al Hodood (الحدود) (The Borders).
Farek Al Mostaheel (فريق المستحيل) (The Impossible Team).
Nomoor Al Tholoog (نمور الثلوج).
Al Abtall (الأبطال) (The Heroes).
Al Ostaz (الأستاذ) (The Master).
Al Moghamara Al Kobra (المغامرة الكبرى).
Madinet Al Zeaab (مدينة الذئاب).
Al Dahaya (الضحايا) (The Victims).
Al Wahsh Al Aadamy (الوحش الآدمى).
Al Mowagah Al Akheera (المواجهة الأخيرة).
Remal Wa Demaa (رمال و دماء) (Sands and Blood).
Ragol Wa Gesh (رجل و جيش) (Man vs. Army).
Al Awraq Al Makshofah (الأوراق المكشوفة).
Al Mohtarefoon (المحترفون).
Al Waraka Al Akheera (الورقة الأخيرة).
Al Maazak (المأزق).
Al Ghameda (الغامضة) (The Mysterious One).
Al Khetta Beh ((الخطة (ب) (Plan .
Al Masyada (المصيدة) (The Trap).
Al Nehaya (النهاية) (The End).
Al Awda (العودة)(The Return).
Al kenaa (القناع) (The Mask).
Al Ahrash (الأحراش)(.
Al Harb (الحرب) (The War).
Al Erhaab (الإرهاب) (Terrorism).
Al Mowagah (المواجهة) (The Confrontation).
Al Modarreb (المدرب) (The Coach).
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia....staheel_series"
Edited by Ragal El Mostaheel, 29 November 2008 - 11:57 PM.