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JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The real life adventures of former al-Qaida-linked terrorist Nasir Abas have become a new comic book in Indonesia, chronicling his transformation from militant to invaluable ally in the fight against terrorism.

The story of the soft-spoken, mild-mannered 42-year-old — recognized by strangers on the streets and even asked for the occasional autograph — is well-known in the world's most populous Muslim country.

He went from helping train Muslim militants who carried out some of Southeast Asia's deadliest attacks, including the 2002 Bali bombings, to informing police about the inner-workings of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror network.

He's also joined a government program to convince convicted terrorists that killing unarmed civilians in the name of their faith is wrong.

"I want children to learn from my experience," Abas said of the colorful 137-page comic "I Found the Meaning of Jihad," which hits bookstores Friday and will be handed out at some schools and libraries.

"I don't want them to make the same mistakes."

Indonesia, hit by a string of suicide bombings that has killed more than 260 people since Sept. 11, 2001, has been widely praised for its anti-terror fight.

The government — partly through the use of paid informants and former militants working to persuade hard-liners to change sides — has rounded up more than 680 Islamic militants, trying and convicting many of them in open courts.

Abas, a Malaysian national who now lives in Jakarta with his family, has been one of its biggest success stories.

The comic book by nonprofit publisher Lasuardi Birru tells the evolution of Abas from an eager young fighter against Western oppression to a disillusioned militant leader troubled when attacks start targeting civilians off the battlefield.

Kids at an elementary school squealed when shown a copy and called out to their friends, who eagerly huddled around and flipped through the lively, glossy pages.

"Ohhhh. That's gotta be Osama bin Laden," said 10-year-old Anif Ahmad Aulia, pointing at a picture of a white-bearded cleric.

"Ya, he's evil," chimed in Qinthara Taqiyyah, a fifth grade girl. "But I like this comic ... very colorful and fun!"

"Is that the hero?" another says, pointing at Abas.