In a bold and imaginative collaboration, From the Coast to the Cosmos: Stories of Pioneering Saudi Women Who Weren’t Afraid to Dream brings the real-life stories of three extraordinary women to the pages of a comic book. A joint effort between Under the Abaya (Instagram), Twisted Comics (Instagram), and Pink Jinn (Instagram), the project aims to inspire the next generation of Saudi girls to dream bigger—and fearlessly chase those dreams.
The comic features the journeys of three trailblazing Saudi women: aerospace engineer Mishaal Alshemimry (Instagram), record-breaking freediver Nada Alrasheed (Instagram), and young podcasting sensation Rateel Alshehri (Instagram). Each has defied odds and pushed boundaries in her field, embodying the power of persistence, courage, and vision.
The project’s origin is as unique as the women it highlights. Laura Cretney, Founder & CEO of Pink Jinn and originally from the Isle of Man, shared how the idea sparked during a conversation with Kenny from Twisted Comics. “He was intrigued by the growing comic scene in the Middle East,” she recalls, “and when I mentioned Under the Abaya, it all just clicked.” Twisted Comics’ founder, Neil Gibson, who grew up in Saudi Arabia, wanted to give back to the place that shaped his early years. With a shared desire to tell meaningful stories, Cretney pitched the idea to Under the Abaya’s founder, Marriam Mossalli, who immediately embraced the vision.
Each partner in the From the Coast to the Cosmos project brought something vital to the table. Twisted Comics took charge of the comic’s artistic creation, while Under the Abaya helped identify three women whose stories deserved the spotlight. Pink Jinn acted as a cultural bridge, ensuring the stories were told authentically and respectfully. “From concept to character design, this has been a story of collaboration,” Cretney says. “Our goal wasn’t just to create a beautiful comic, but to build something that young Saudi girls could see themselves in.”
Mishaal Alshemimry, the first female aerospace engineer in the GCC, pursued her childhood dream of reaching for the stars—defying cultural expectations and gender stereotypes along the way. Nada Alrasheed holds multiple Saudi freediving records and is a passionate advocate for marine conservation. Her story dives into both the physical challenges of the sport and the mental strength required to break new ground. Rateel Alshehri, one of the region’s youngest podcasters, is using her voice to reshape narratives. Her platform empowers young women to speak up, create change, and redefine what leadership looks like.
Although the comic hasn’t officially launched, it’s currently available for pre-sale, and the response has already been overwhelmingly positive. “The community has been incredibly supportive,” Cretney shares. “People are excited to see these women portrayed as the superheroes they truly are.” All proceeds from the comic’s sales will go toward initiatives supporting women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia.
With the first edition nearly ready to launch, the team already has their eyes on what’s next. “We hope this will be the beginning of a series,” says Cretney. “There are so many untold stories of Saudi, and Arab, women doing incredible things. We want to keep shining a light on them.”
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