The lions wander around, and almost starve to death. Pride of Baghdad Yasemin Çelebi, 25 December 2013 (Essay assigned by Mehmet Emin Adanalı during his class FA 489: Graphic Novels, Boğaziçi University) Pride of Baghdad is a graphic novel written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Niko Henrichon that is based in Iraq, in its period of occupation by American forces. Not because it is haunting, not because it is powerful, not for any reason the writer thinks, but because it is so disappointingly empty and bitter. [2], The story revolves around the brief freedom experienced by a small pride of captive lions, who escape from Baghdad Zoo during the 2003 invasion of Baghdad by the U.S.-led coalition. Then the others started protecting each other, ending with their deaths. According to the writers of ‘Pride of Baghdad’, the government thus made a mistake and now tries to make it okay by saying they did not have a … In order to show how cruel consequences that the war brings, the authors try to portray humans by … The book’s mature themes don’t end there, and this is where I would caution any educators to vet Pride of Baghdad carefully. The horror depicted in Pride of Baghdad is a reminder of why the American public is deeply wary of getting too involved in another conflict. The story is a fictionalized account of the true story of four African lions that escaped from the Baghdad Zoo after an American bombing in 2003. Very Loosely Based on a True Story: The artists took Artistic License to make a backstory for the lions in the newspaper article. This format feels a little silly for such a short comic. The horror depicted in Pride of Baghdad is a reminder of why the American public is deeply wary of getting too involved in another conflict. The characters aren’t always likable, but they are relatable. And in the end, is it truly better to die free than to live life in captivity? There are two challenges in bringing this story to life. The graphic novel recounts the fall of Baghdad during the 2003 American invasion as seen through the eyes of a pride of lions that fled the Baghdad Zoo. … The animals discuss this as well. Join me as I review my first graphic novel reading experience: The Pride of Baghdad. All photos are taken from the graphic novel and yahoo images. But there are voices calling for sending thousands of additional U.S. troops. Those wanting a powerful, gripping analogy of war will find that as well. The story follows Zill, the alpha male of the pride, the elderly lioness Safa, the idealistic Noor and her young cub Ali. The lions find themselves suddenly free after years in captivity, and each one is faced with challenges as they come to terms with their newfound freedom. In the spring of 2003, a pride of lions escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during an American bombing raid. Saddam Hussein: The Power is down Pride of Baghdad, drawn by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon, tells a story of group of lions escaping from the zoo after the U. S. army starts invading Baghdad. Featuring stunning artwork by Niko Henrichon, there is no way any comic book reader should pass up this graphic novel. Art by: Niko Henrichon. Write on Medium, The F-35 Is a $1.4 Trillion National Disaster, The ‘Parsley Massacre’ Is a Chilling Example of How Quickly a Genocide Can Unfold, I Fired One of My Programmers 15 Days After Hiring Them, 25 Genius Quotes That Permanently Changed The Way I Look At Life, Data Scientists Will be Extinct in 10 years, A 30 year-old with a $1 million net worth reveals the steps that got her there, Happy Blurpthday to Discord, a Place for Everything You Can Imagine, 8 Phrases That Can Make You Sound Weak at Work. Explore, If you have a story to tell, knowledge to share, or a perspective to offer — welcome home. The beginning: Comics are so short when they’re a single volume! What are the consequences of being free? Pride of Baghdad is a graphic novel written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Niko Henrichon released by DC Comics ' Vertigo imprint on September 13, 2006. From drones to AKs, high technology to low politics…, From drones to AKs, high technology to low politics, exploring how and why we fight above, on and below an angry world, Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. The book won the IGN award for best original graphic novel in 2006. The art is gorgeous and the pacing is perfect. They find their end however not by starvation, but by the bullets of the US-guns. Lost and confused, hungry but finally free, the four lions roamed the decimated streets of Baghdad in a desperate struggle for their lives. As the lions roam the streets of Baghdad trying to survive, each lion comes to embody a different viewpoint regarding the Iraq War. Pride Of Baghdad is a graphic novel in which freedom is largely discussed. The United States is back at war in Iraq and has extended its air campaign to Syria. Four lions freely roaming the streets of Baghdad shortly after the 2003 invasion tell a story of survival, rapid change, and a first casualty of war, innocence. While writing the book, he pored over blogs written by American soldiers and Iraqis, and conducted his own interviews. "[5], IGN.com presents "Best of 2006: Best Original Graphic Novel", The Joy of Pride: Vaughan talks "Pride of Baghdad", CRITICAL ANALYSIS: PRIDE OF BAGHDAD – Conflict Begets Conflict, A visual step-by-step from Niko Henrichon, the book's artist, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pride_of_Baghdad&oldid=1021239386, Harvey Award winners for Best Graphic Album of Original Work, Articles with dead external links from November 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 3 May 2021, at 17:09. Hopeful When the lions escape from the zoo, they gained hope for a better life. His new book, Pride of Baghdad, tells the story of Zill, Noor, Safa, and Ali, a family of lions who escape from the Baghdad Zoo amid the American military's campaign to … Almost a decade after its initial release, Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon’s Pride of Baghdad is still heartbreaking. Growing up in a cage, she yearns for freedom and the chance to see the world outside. Pride of Baghdad has a very tragic content, because suddenly the Iraq war had started and that’s why the four lions were capable of escaping. And if anything, the comic’s emotional gut punch of an ending hurts more the second time around. Driven home when the pride is shot to death at the end. In the spring of 2003, a pride of lions escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during an American bombing raid. Pride of Baghdad is a graphic novel written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Niko Henrichon released by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint on September 13, 2006. Tragic Pride of Baghdad has a tragic ending, the four lions die. Lost and confused, hungry but finally free, the four lions roamed the decimated streets of Baghdad in a desperate struggle for their lives. “It’s about losing your wife, your kids, every worthless friend you’ve ever made,” the cranky old reptile tells the lions. Vertigo comics art[/caption]. Although in the end of this graphic novel American soldiers killed the lions by shooting them. it is impressive how you the writers make the animals look so human, so emotional but also show their animal side. Lost and confused, hungry but finally free, the four lions roamed the decimated streets of Baghdad in a desperate struggle for their lives. Damn those boys for making me cry like a man. She’s become accustomed to captivity, seeing the zookeepers as source of food and security. Published in September 2006 by award-winning writer Kevin Vaughan and artist Niko Henrichon, Pride of Baghdad is a 136-page graphic novel inspired by true events. The consequent war is a controversial one, with too many sides to the … There is a scene implying sexual assault of one of the females, a bloody battle between a bear and the male lion, and an ending that will not send you home happy. [caption id=”attachment_5169" align=”alignnone” width=”1280"], Pride of Baghdad. They wander through the halls of one of Uday Hussein’s decadent palaces. Dramatic The death of the lions at the end is dramatic, the mother lion sees her son dying. Almost a decade after its initial release, Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon’s Pride of Baghdad is still heartbreaking. The experience is made all the more evocative by the lush, spectacular artwork of Niko Henrichon. The ending was sad, which was also a positive factor for the quality of the novel, because of this, the novel is not like a children’s book with a happy end… In a world that’s seen the Arab Spring, Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad’s brutal crackdown on dissent, the rise of Islamic State and a crisis involving millions of refugees, the pride’s search for freedom and safety feels urgent and timely. Pride of Baghdad. I like this format and I’m sticking with it unless you beg me to stop. Pride of Baghdad is a graphic novel written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Niko Henrichon released by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint on September 13, 2006. [3], Speaking on the decision to publish Pride of Baghdad as a single volume rather than the more common serial form, Vaughan stated "I wanted readers to experience the suddenness with which these animals' lives were changed and that worked much better in a story that can be read in one sitting...the learning curve for writing a 136-page self-contained novel was steep, but I'm thrilled with how it turned out. This (true, but obviously fictionalized) story follows four lions who escape from the zoo they are living in when Iraq is bombed by U.S. forces in 2003. The ending, especially, is unforgettable. And if anything, the comic’s emotional gut punch of an ending hurts more the second time around. When I say that, I mean both the end of the story of the Pride, as well as the final words of the book. Analysis of Pride of Baghdad. Ultimately, his concern is the well-being of his pride regardless of what happens. This is a novel, inspired by a true story, about four lions in the Baghdad zoo, who escape during the bombing of the city by US-soldiers. Those wanting a 'simple' tale of survival and family will find that. They meet an old turtle living in the Euphrates river, a creature old enough to remember a century’s worth of bloodshed in the cradle of civilization. Writer Brian K. Vaughan was also careful to avoid pinpointing any one particular viewpoint—each lion represents a different attitude, which is refreshing since many books do not allow that choice. 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? But never mind. Full confession — I’m a big fan and recently reread it. The humans who kill them are completely unseen by the reader until after the pride is dead. He represents pragmatic Iraqis trying to adapt to the chaos while protecting their families. "[3] Dorkgasm described it as "one of the most poignant anthropomorphic stories since Animal Farm. Can someone who’s known nothing but captivity ever truly handle freedom? Vaughan intentionally crafted the characters to be stand-ins for different viewpoints on the war. Through their journey, the lions explore Iraq’s history and see its monuments and marketplaces. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. In the beginning of the book, Noor discusses a plan to escape from the zoo with the antelope. Lost and confused, hungry but finally free, the four lions roamed the decimated streets of Baghdad in a desperate struggle for their lives. Pride of Baghdad has a very tragic content, because suddenly the Iraq war had started and that’s why the lions were capable of escaping. It’s always a given that any story involving animals will hit me right where it counts, and Pride of Baghdad is no exception. The ending is brutal, poignant, and appropriate for the setting. Recent events have infused the characters with new layers. Noor is talking about liberation, and she even made a plan to escape. Usage Public Domain Mark 1.0 Topics Pride of Baghdad, comic, book, pride, baghdad, bagdad Collection comics; additional_collections. Where the book doesn't quite work is its ending. The story is a fictionalized account of the true story of four lions that escaped from the Baghdad Zoo after an American bombing in 2003. Learn more, Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. The book won the IGN award for best original graphic novel in 2006. The four lions survived many serious event. Pride of Baghdad, drawn by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon, tells a story of group of lions escaping from the zoo after the U.S. army starts invading Baghdad. Zill doesn’t have strong opinions about whether freedom or captivity would be better. She represents those Iraqis who tore down Saddam’s statues, idealistic and full of hope for the future. “There were other casualties as well.” Every time I finish Pride of Baghdad, my eyes burn a little. Safa, the old lioness, had lived life in the wild and has the scars to remind her of the savanna’s brutality. Pride of Baghdad comic book. Henrichon’s art brings the story to life in gorgeous color. Now, I fully understand that the way things go down is meant to represent the senselessness of war and the thoughtlessness of its perpetrators, and for that to work, what happens *should* be sudden and disorienting. It’s inspired by the true story of real lions that escaped during the chaos, but the comic adds a mythic feel to the story. "[4], IGN named Pride of Baghdad the Best Original Graphic Novel of 2006, calling it a "modern classic", and commenting that the book "can be enjoyed on several levels. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The violence is bloody and one character has a rape flashback. Buy Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan, Niko Henrichon (ISBN: 9781845763756) from Amazon's Book Store. I hate this ending and honestly, I … Although, the four lions survived many serious events, in the end of this graphic novel American soldiers killed the lions by shooting them. The graphic novel recounts the fall of Baghdad during the 2003 … Ali, the young cub, represents the naivete and innocence of Iraq’s children, ever excited for the next adventure. Addeddate 2012-08-17 11:53:44 Coverleaf 0 Identifier PrideOfBaghdad Identifier-ark ark:/13960/t8v99bq19 Ocr ABBYY FineReader 8.0 Ppi 300. Advertisement: Child Soldier : The monkeys quickly kidnap Ali after he is separated from the pride, intending to raise him as … Pride of Baghdad is the story of four lions who escaped from the Baghdad zoo after a bombing raid and was inspired by actual events. The book won the IGN award for best original graphic novel in 2006. Nor does the story provide any easy answers to its troubling moral questions. But though this story is about animals … it’s not for kids. Is it better to be fed and caged or free and hungry? If you have any problems viewing this article, please report it … [1] The story is a fictionalized account of the true story of four lions that escaped from the Baghdad Zoo after an American bombing in 2003. Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated Niko Henrichon In the spring of 2003, a pride of lions escaped from the Baghdad zoo during an American bombing raid. Think of it as a straightforward family survival tale combined with smart political allegory. She represents pro-Ba’ath Party Iraqis who while perhaps not in love with Saddam, preferred the devil they knew. By Brian K. Vaughan. From the desert sand to a lush green oasis, Iraq is depicted as a land of beauty. Potential Problems. The four lions wander the streets of Baghdad as bombs fall, tanks rumble and their preconceived notions of freedom shatter. Pride of Baghdad. If the soldiers just had passed without shooting, the lions would not have been killed. Pride of Baghdad was my first, real experience with this ending and it still sits in the back of my mind. In order to show how cruel consequences that the war brings, the authors try to portray humans by drawing the lions, the bear, and other animals. The lions make their way through collapsing Baghdad in search of food and water. Noor, the younger lioness, entered captivity at a young age and hardly remembers they wild. i think pride of baghdad is a quite good novel. Bittersweet Ending: All of the main cast are shot and killed by U.S Soldiers, but, at the very least, they died free, and Zill got to see one last sunset. Merciless The US officers are merciless, they even kill animals. In the spring of 2003, a pride of lions escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during an American bombing raid. In documenting… Title: Microsoft Word - Pride of Baghdad - themes and development.docx Author: Iris De Bruin Created Date: 3/4/2013 8:09:14 PM Review - Pride of Baghdad, OGN Pride of Baghdad by Brian K Vaughan & Niko Henrichon for BGCP Comic Con by Kenneth Koepnick It’s one of, if not the best literary responses to the Iraq War, as well as a heartbreaking allegory of what happens when the best of intentions go wildly awry. He slavishly studied photographs of Iraq’s architecture, and the characters themselves are distinct and personable. It’s easy and free to post your thinking on any topic. 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