Pride of Baghdad - Softcover

Vaughan, Brian K.; Henrichon, Niko

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1401203159 ISBN 13: 9781401203153

Publisher: Vertigo, 2008

Synopsis

"Deeply moving."—Los Angeles Times Book Review

"Lavishly drawn, and devastating.... Vaughan has his marvelously imagined characters debate the concept of freedom versus desire for safety...the total effect is memorable."—Publishers Weekly

"This is an important work, strongly recommended for all adult collections."—Library Journal

"Seems destined to cement the reputation of Brian K. Vaughan as one of the best writers to grace the medium in many years."—Variety

The startlingly original look at life on the streets of Baghdad during the Iraq War inspired by true events arrives in a stunning new softcover edition. In his award-winning work on Y: The Last Man and Ex Machina (one of Entertainment Weekly's 2005 Ten Best Fiction titles), writer Brian K. Vaughan has displayed an understanding of both the cost of survival and the political nuances of the modern world. Now, in this provocative graphic novel, Vaughan examines life on the streets of war-torn Iraq. The experience is made all the more evocative by the lush, spectacular artwork of Niko Henrichon.In the spring of 2003, a pride of lions escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during an American bombing raid. Lost and confused, hungry but finally free, the four lions roamed the decimated streets of Baghdad in a desperate struggle for their lives. In documenting the plight of the lions, Pride of Baghdad raises questions about the true meaning of liberation - can it be given, or is it earned only through self-determination and sacrifice? And in the end, is it truly better to die free than to live life in captivity?

About this title

About the Author:

Brian K. Vaughan is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning co-creator of many critically acclaimed comic books, including Saga, Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, Runaways, and Pride of Baghdad. A professional comics writer since his days as an undergraduate film student at New York University, Brian has written every major DC and Marvel character from Batman to the X-Men. He's also written several screenplays, stage plays and short stories, but mostly, he likes to work on the funnybooks. He also served as writer and story editor on the hit TV series Lost.

Niko Henrichon is a Canadian comic book artist best known as the artist of the critically acclaimed graphic novel Pride of Baghdad written by Brian K. Vaughan. His first major work was the Vertigo original graphic novel titled Barnum! written by Howard Chaykin and David Tischman. Henrichon's pencils have also been seen in the pages of Superman from DC Comics, Star Wars Tales from Dark Horse Comics, and Micronauts from Marvel Comics.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 9 Up—A heartbreaking look at what it's like to live in a war zone. 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 nature of freedom. Can it be achieved without being earned? What is its price? What do the lions owe the zookeepers who took care of them at the cost of keeping them in captivity? Where should they go? What should they eat? The four lions soon realize that a desert city is nothing like the grassy savannas of their memories. Their experiences mirror those of the Iraqi citizens displaced by the conflict. The book succeeds as a graphic novel and as an account of the current crisis. Henrichon's full palette emphasizes browns and grays that evoke the sands of the country, while his long brushstrokes and careful attention to detail reflect the precise and minimalist dialogue that Vaughan uses. An allegorical tale with compelling and believable characters, Baghdad makes it clear that without self-determination, there can be no freedom—Erin Dennington, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax, VA
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About this edition

• Publisher: Vertigo
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1401203159
• ISBN 13: 9781401203153
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 136