Posts tagged ‘graphic novel’
The Pride of Baghdad
Recently, one of my classmates passed along this fantastic graphic novel for me to read. (Yes, we are the not-so-closet graphic novel nerds in the class)
The Pride of Baghdad
Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is based in any way, shape or form on the Lion King (like I did). Inspired by true events, this story tells of four lions that escape from the Baghdad Zoo during a bombing raid in 2003 and encounter other animals that offer unique perspectives, such as a tortoise that survived World War I. They begin to question the meaning of freedom and the price one has to pay for it. Is it really worth it in the end?
Niko Henrichon’s artwork is nothing short of stunning. His realistic depiction of the animals and the bomb-torn backgrounds is simply breathtaking. You won’t want to put this book down until you’ve lived a day in the life of this pride.
Three Shadows
- “Three Shadows” by Cyril Pedrosa [2007, english translation 2008]
How does one escape fate, especially one as precious as your own child’s? Louis, Lise and their son, Joachim, lead an idyllic country life, filled with cozy winter nights, lazy summer days, and, always, the chores associated with running the orchards. One day three Shadows appear on the horizon, and everything changes. Louis and Lise know that these shadowy fates have come for Joachim. Determined to save the boy, Louis flees with Joachim, desperate to stay one step ahead of the deathly shadows.
With just a few panels and brush strokes, Cyril Pedrosa creates characters you care about who are able to successfully convey feelings of fear, protectiveness, bravery, love, or other emotions.
This haunting fable of love, possession and grief is bound to stir up emotions as you follow the adventures of a father to protect his son. Even more touching is that the story is based on true events in Pedrosa’s life. In dealing with the loss of a friend’s child, Pedrosa was inspired to write and illustrate “Three Shadows” and effectively does so.
Very few French comics make it in the US market, and this is Pedrosa’s first translated work. He’s a French comic artist who’s worked on Disney’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Hercules”. His roots in animation are undeniable.
