Friday March 29, 2024
Pride of Baghdad
Review

Pride of Baghdad

By Damian Madden
February 16 2007

In a world where comics and graphic novels are tackling diverse, mature subjects, eschewing superheroes in tights and talking ducks for gritty realism, it is hardly surprising to find a book like Pride of Baghdad. Written by Brian K. Vaughan, with drawings by Niko Henrichon, it is a fictionalised retelling of the true story of four lions who escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during an American bombing raid in 2003.

Clearly inspired by the work of George Orwell, Eisner award-winner Vaughan has given each of the lions the ability to talk, to think and to relate, making them into metaphors for the world we live in. Although each of the four have different reasons for wanting freedom, the hope (whether deluded or not) that they may return to their ‘old’ life is foremost in their minds. However, upon their escape, the lions (who were top of the social class within the confines of the zoo) find themselves at a loss as to what to do. They are no longer top of the heap, their food is no longer handed to them and they no longer have the security of the zoo's fences to protect them. Their lives are now under threat from an unknown and unseen enemy, war. Wandering aimlessly in the unfamiliar, battle-scarred, city under the constant threat of more air raids, the lions realise that although they may now be free, they have paid a heavy price.

Pride of BaghdadAlthough it may not sound like it, Pride of Baghdad manages to avoid heavy-handed politics. This is achieved by keeping the focus firmly on its central story of the pride and their relationship to each other, their struggles, heart-breaks and triumphs. While the other elements, critical to the whole picture, are background, nevertheless. By doing this Vaughan is able to paint a balanced picture about the situation in Baghdad, subtly informing his readers about both sides of the conflict without preaching.

Vaughan’s moving and emotional story is supported by Niko Henrichon’s wonderful art. Using a realistic style, Henrichon creates a beautiful, visual world that accurately reflects reality. The colouring technique is also quite dramatic, further adding to the realism created by Henrichon’s drawing style. You can almost feel the heat of this desert city.

Comic books rarely make a splash outside of the comic industry when they’re released, but this one did and for good reason. Pride of Baghdad is elegantly written, beautifully drawn and tells a powerful story.

Pride of Baghdad

Artist Niko Henrichon takes readers step-by-step through the construction of a page in this interesting seven page guide.

Pride of Baghdad is available online through Amazon and from all comic stores.

 

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