Pride of Baghdad an original graphic novel

• As an avid graphic novel reader i own dozens of graphic novel. And "Pride of Baghdad" is one of the most fascinating i have read in a long time. A powerful graphic novel that follows the story of four lions who escaped from the Baghdad zoo into the chaos of the 2003 invasion of Baghdad. The story begins in the zoo and ends on the bloody streets of Baghdad. Throughout the story, the lions discuss ideas of freedom and what it means to be caged and tamed as they work to survive. This is not an easy story and the illustrations don't stint on showing the violence of animals and of war. The characters are as complex and deep as the story you have Zill the pride leader and alpha male a smart and wise lion philosophical in many ways, he does have an aggressive side that will stop at nothing to protect his pride(my favorite character). You also have Safa, an old lioness, blind in one eye, who has become accustomed to captivity and views the human advantage of their new freedom there are other characters but these two are my favorite because they are easy to relate too. Even the antagonist of the story, Fajer, a blood thirsty bear who comes to challenge the pride, and this bear aint no push around. The story may come off at first as a child graphic novel but if you know a thing or two about Vertigo (Pride of Baghdad publisher among others.) who published mulit layered stories for aimed at mature readers then you know this is not a book for the novice reader or squeamish reader. As you turn the pages, you can feel the heat and desolation, the sand and dust coats your skin. Niko Henrichon’s drawings are amazing. The colors are both muted and vibrant. You feel as though you’ve been transported thousands of miles to the Middle East the interior pride of Baghdad Henrichon’s art is matched in skill by Brian K. Vaughan’s storytelling. It was Vaughan that was inspired to write the story of these four lions. And Vaughan one of my favorite story tellers who has won many Eisner Awards and has written stories for Marvel and DC comics like The X - men, Y- The Last Man, Captain America, etc. I believe it is a must read for any graphic novel reader or a person whom is interested in the middle east. I recommend it to mature readers, Adult in nature, thought-provoking about the price of freedom and the nature of man.