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Pride of Baghdad
Inspired by true events, a graphic novel examines life on the streets of war-torn Iraq, raising questions about the meaning of liberation through the experiences of four lions who escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during a raid.
136 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2006
About the author
Brian K. Vaughan
1,043 books13.5k followersBrian K. Vaughan is the writer and co-creator of comic-book series including SAGA, PAPER GIRLS, Y THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, and most recently, BARRIER, a digital comic with artist Marcos Martin about immigration, available from their pay-what-you-want site www.PanelSyndicate.com
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,866 reviews
April 2, 2024
(A-) 83% | Very Good
Notes: A kind of cave allegory on liberation, it has high fantasy elements, reflected in war-torn Baghdad’s unearthly terrain.
Notes: A kind of cave allegory on liberation, it has high fantasy elements, reflected in war-torn Baghdad’s unearthly terrain.
January 8, 2009
Despite the originality of the idea, and the wealth of symbolism and meaning such a story might have held, Vaughan did little with this book. His predictable plot, thoughtless characterization, awkward dialogue and overpowering allegory drained this book of any strength or beauty it might have had.
Start with some factual errors, such as antelopes being kept within sight of lions, sea turtles living in the Tigris, and zoo birds (which would have had flight feathers clipped) simply flying to escape their cages. If they could just fly off, why didn't they do it before? These small errors are negligible but typical of the thoughtlessness with which the plot, characters, and dialogue are treated.
The overt and sensationalized sexism amongst the lions was insulting. Not only because it misrepresented animal sexual behavior (particularly that of lions), but because as a thinly-veiled analogy of human sexual behavior, it was both simplistic and chauvinistic. Like in his 'Y the Last Man', Vaughan is interested in rape and gender inequality only because they give his male protagonist motivation, not because of how they affect his characters or story in general.
One thoughtful commentator pointed out that the rape scene never actually comes to the attention of the protagonist, meaning it couldn't be an attempt to build his character. So I guess it's just extraneous to the plot? I'll beg off debating which is worse.
The animal dialogue was also rather jarring, indicating that lions understood what a 'brain' is, that they measured time in seconds and integers, and that they felt their keepers were beneficent protectors. Vaughan did not make any attempt to create a dialogue based on the individual challenges and experiences of being a lion, he just stuck simplistic human characters in lion bodies.
At that point, it's not even an allegory, it's just a cartoon. Vaughan's lions are not lions, but melodramatic representations of the Iraqi people, a metaphor which becomes increasingly ham-fisted and awkward as the story continues. By the time we reach the climax, we have the antagonist delivering long philosophical speeches about power and rulership.
These prolonged speeches are set directly into the action sequences, so that between winding up and hitting, he delivers a good paragraph of moralism. I can only hope if I'm ever in a fight, my opponent will try to summarize Plato's Republic between blows.
For all that people praise the art, I didn't see much salvageable there, either. It was often difficult to tell the lion characters apart and action sequences were more abrupt than exciting. The cover's pretty, but not a good representation of what's inside.
Tack on a weepy ending, say something unoriginal about American Nationalism, and roll credits. If you want cute, badass animals in comic form, just read WE3. It has better art, better characterization, a better plot, and less pulpit moralizing from the author.
My Suggested Readings in Comics
Start with some factual errors, such as antelopes being kept within sight of lions, sea turtles living in the Tigris, and zoo birds (which would have had flight feathers clipped) simply flying to escape their cages. If they could just fly off, why didn't they do it before? These small errors are negligible but typical of the thoughtlessness with which the plot, characters, and dialogue are treated.
The overt and sensationalized sexism amongst the lions was insulting. Not only because it misrepresented animal sexual behavior (particularly that of lions), but because as a thinly-veiled analogy of human sexual behavior, it was both simplistic and chauvinistic. Like in his 'Y the Last Man', Vaughan is interested in rape and gender inequality only because they give his male protagonist motivation, not because of how they affect his characters or story in general.
One thoughtful commentator pointed out that the rape scene never actually comes to the attention of the protagonist, meaning it couldn't be an attempt to build his character. So I guess it's just extraneous to the plot? I'll beg off debating which is worse.
The animal dialogue was also rather jarring, indicating that lions understood what a 'brain' is, that they measured time in seconds and integers, and that they felt their keepers were beneficent protectors. Vaughan did not make any attempt to create a dialogue based on the individual challenges and experiences of being a lion, he just stuck simplistic human characters in lion bodies.
At that point, it's not even an allegory, it's just a cartoon. Vaughan's lions are not lions, but melodramatic representations of the Iraqi people, a metaphor which becomes increasingly ham-fisted and awkward as the story continues. By the time we reach the climax, we have the antagonist delivering long philosophical speeches about power and rulership.
These prolonged speeches are set directly into the action sequences, so that between winding up and hitting, he delivers a good paragraph of moralism. I can only hope if I'm ever in a fight, my opponent will try to summarize Plato's Republic between blows.
For all that people praise the art, I didn't see much salvageable there, either. It was often difficult to tell the lion characters apart and action sequences were more abrupt than exciting. The cover's pretty, but not a good representation of what's inside.
Tack on a weepy ending, say something unoriginal about American Nationalism, and roll credits. If you want cute, badass animals in comic form, just read WE3. It has better art, better characterization, a better plot, and less pulpit moralizing from the author.
My Suggested Readings in Comics
October 4, 2010
EVEN THE GODDAMNED LIONESS HAD A GODDAMNED RAPE BACKSTORY.
WHAT THE FUCK, COMICS INDUSTRY.
WHAT THE FUCK, COMICS INDUSTRY.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2024
December 18, 2011
This week, the American occupation of Iraq ends as the last U.S. troops withdraw and their bases are turned over to the Iraqi civilian government. This event brings back to mind Brian K. Vaughn and Niko Henrichon’s graphic novel, Pride of Baghdad.
A modern fable set at the beginning of the American led invasion of Iraq, it was inspired by a true story of the fate of the animal abandoned in an Iraqi zoo. Some of animals escaped while their caretakers fled to escape incoming American forces.
Pride of Baghdad is a story of a pride of lions that escaped their enclosure when American missiles destroyed their cages and their fellow captive animals free. For the moment they had their freedom, but can they ever escape the urban jungle that is modern Baghdad?
Vaughn gives each of the lions a distinct voice and is aided superbly by the unique visuals the artist Henrichon gave to them. It makes the lions distinctive and their dialogue easy to follow.
It is easy to see the anti-war message, especially once knowing of the pride’s ultimate fate. Despite knowing of this political undertone, the reader can’t help but be moved.
This week, the American occupation of Iraq ends as the last U.S. troops withdraw and their bases are turned over to the Iraqi civilian government. This event brings back to mind Brian K. Vaughn and Niko Henrichon’s graphic novel, Pride of Baghdad.
A modern fable set at the beginning of the American led invasion of Iraq, it was inspired by a true story of the fate of the animal abandoned in an Iraqi zoo. Some of animals escaped while their caretakers fled to escape incoming American forces.
Pride of Baghdad is a story of a pride of lions that escaped their enclosure when American missiles destroyed their cages and their fellow captive animals free. For the moment they had their freedom, but can they ever escape the urban jungle that is modern Baghdad?
Vaughn gives each of the lions a distinct voice and is aided superbly by the unique visuals the artist Henrichon gave to them. It makes the lions distinctive and their dialogue easy to follow.
It is easy to see the anti-war message, especially once knowing of the pride’s ultimate fate. Despite knowing of this political undertone, the reader can’t help but be moved.
September 17, 2022
Brian K. Vaughan shows us war from the perspective of a pride of lions who escaped from the Baghdad Zoo after a bombing raid in 2003. Questions of survival and the true meaning of freedom are examined and presented in a way that may make you reexamine your current definitions. A truly unique look at war.
March 23, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
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. It probably goes without saying it didn't end quite as well as The Lion King . . .
Although I was totally crossing my fingers that the male lion would have a voice like Scar . . .
I was hoping the combination of a graphic novel (a/k/a pitcherbook) and the use of animals rather than people to tell the story would persuade my non-reader into reading. I thought I’d get the added bonus of the subject matter making him ponder some deeper subjects like the price of freedom . . .
“There’s an old saying, Zill. Freedom can’t be given, only earned.
Yeah, well, there’s another old saying. You don’t look a gift house in the mouth . . . you eat him.”
and making your own way in the world . . .
“We can’t wait around for some miracle to change the world for us. We have to take control of our destinies.”
as well as provide some harsh truths about war . . .
“Keepers, two leggers, Man . . . don’t matter what you call ‘em, they’re all the same.
What are they fighting about?
Damned if I know, son.”
I figured the story would keep his interest by being told from the perspective of some anthropomorphized kings of the jungle (and maybe even a few butthole monkeys) . . .
And I knew the outcome of the true events, so I was prepared for the ending and a possible discussion of why things went down the way they did. What I wasn’t prepared for was lion rape. Are you serious right now?
I’m not even going to get into an argument if there is such a thing in the wild as lions raping each other, but can we make it so my child can read something that makes him think just a little bit without throwing every-f*&^ing-hot-button-topic into the mix? FFS! (In case you were wondering, no I didn’t force the tiny human into reading this one.)
Now let’s discuss the artwork. Look at this cover . . .
DEVINE! Inside there was some pretty amazing stuff too . . .
including honest, yet horrifyingly graphic, depictions of the toll of war on the zoo . . .
But even the art failed me at some point, when the colorist decided war in a desert obviously would look very “deserty” . . .
Jeebus, there are other crayons in the box besides ORANGE!
End result? 2 Stars. It was just okay. Good news is I’ve pretty much been guaranteed Saga will make up for this one. . .
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. It probably goes without saying it didn't end quite as well as The Lion King . . .
Although I was totally crossing my fingers that the male lion would have a voice like Scar . . .
I was hoping the combination of a graphic novel (a/k/a pitcherbook) and the use of animals rather than people to tell the story would persuade my non-reader into reading. I thought I’d get the added bonus of the subject matter making him ponder some deeper subjects like the price of freedom . . .
“There’s an old saying, Zill. Freedom can’t be given, only earned.
Yeah, well, there’s another old saying. You don’t look a gift house in the mouth . . . you eat him.”
and making your own way in the world . . .
“We can’t wait around for some miracle to change the world for us. We have to take control of our destinies.”
as well as provide some harsh truths about war . . .
“Keepers, two leggers, Man . . . don’t matter what you call ‘em, they’re all the same.
What are they fighting about?
Damned if I know, son.”
I figured the story would keep his interest by being told from the perspective of some anthropomorphized kings of the jungle (and maybe even a few butthole monkeys) . . .
And I knew the outcome of the true events, so I was prepared for the ending and a possible discussion of why things went down the way they did. What I wasn’t prepared for was lion rape. Are you serious right now?
I’m not even going to get into an argument if there is such a thing in the wild as lions raping each other, but can we make it so my child can read something that makes him think just a little bit without throwing every-f*&^ing-hot-button-topic into the mix? FFS! (In case you were wondering, no I didn’t force the tiny human into reading this one.)
Now let’s discuss the artwork. Look at this cover . . .
DEVINE! Inside there was some pretty amazing stuff too . . .
including honest, yet horrifyingly graphic, depictions of the toll of war on the zoo . . .
But even the art failed me at some point, when the colorist decided war in a desert obviously would look very “deserty” . . .
Jeebus, there are other crayons in the box besides ORANGE!
End result? 2 Stars. It was just okay. Good news is I’ve pretty much been guaranteed Saga will make up for this one. . .
October 22, 2016
Haunting allegory. I don't know whether to cry or rage.
I'm going to get political for a second. When I was in college, the university did this public installation with little white flags planted in perfect rows in the crisp green grass. The flags stretched for acres and acres, one flag for each Iraqi civilian needlessly killed during wartime. There were thousands. Walking among the nameless dead was harrowing to say the least. That's when I lost respect for my country.
So while this haunting allegory isn't a wake up call, it's a reminder that nearly ten years later nothing has changed. My country is in political turmoil, the most severe social climate probably since the 60s. And the powers that may be have every intention of carrying on business as usual, or worse. Flying over ancient cities with ancient problems, to bomb for freedom and line their pockets with blood and oil.
Zill, Safa, Noor and Ali are a strong and lovable family, a pride, a company of lions. They are somewhat naive, yet innocent, and deserving of nothing less than true freedom. And America failed them, just like we failed Iraq, like we have failed ourselves.
Brian K. Vaughan writes exceptionally well here. The cursing is kept to a minimum, realism to a maximum, as far as allegory goes. And Niko Henrichon illustrates beautifully. But what makes me tear up isn't just the ending, it's all of it. The beauty of Baghdad is destroyed by jets and tanks, bombs and missiles. The fact that we "keepers" place ourselves above the animal kingdom is a fallacy, because we're not better than them, we're worse. Animals kill for survival. But somehow humans are the enlightened species. Somehow it is said the United States of America is the "greatest country in the world." We are the demon black bear. We are the mushroom cloud on the horizon. And I hope for the lions' sake that a time of reckoning is coming.
February 10, 2017
What a beautiful and sad story this is.
I found "Pride of Baghdad" while browsing the graphic novels at the library. It was inspired by the true story of four lions who escaped the Baghdad Zoo during the invasion of Iraq in April 2003.
We see the bombing from the point of view of the lions. When the war started, the keepers fled the zoo, and the animals who survived the bombs suddenly found themselves free. But one of the older lions is worried about the dangers that lurk beyond the gates. "There's an old saying -- Freedom can't be given, only earned."
But after a vicious fight with the apes in the zoo, the lions decided to leave and start walking. They explore part of the desert and meet a wise turtle at the Tigris River. The turtle is old enough to remember the previous Iraq war:
"There's black stuff under the earth, boy. Poison. When the walkers fight, they send it spewing into the sky, and spilling into the sea."
The lions see a long line of military tanks, and decide to hide and go the other direction. They find the rubble of a city and meet other wild animals, including a group of beautiful white horses.
The lions are able to climb to the top of a building and look out over the city, seeing the horizon for the first time since they were captured in the wild. And then, well, this story has a sad ending, as most war tales do.
The artwork is beautiful and colorful, and I think it's a great way to tell the story. It also reminded me that I want to read the book Babylon's Ark, which is about the rescue of zoo animals during the war.
I found "Pride of Baghdad" while browsing the graphic novels at the library. It was inspired by the true story of four lions who escaped the Baghdad Zoo during the invasion of Iraq in April 2003.
We see the bombing from the point of view of the lions. When the war started, the keepers fled the zoo, and the animals who survived the bombs suddenly found themselves free. But one of the older lions is worried about the dangers that lurk beyond the gates. "There's an old saying -- Freedom can't be given, only earned."
But after a vicious fight with the apes in the zoo, the lions decided to leave and start walking. They explore part of the desert and meet a wise turtle at the Tigris River. The turtle is old enough to remember the previous Iraq war:
"There's black stuff under the earth, boy. Poison. When the walkers fight, they send it spewing into the sky, and spilling into the sea."
The lions see a long line of military tanks, and decide to hide and go the other direction. They find the rubble of a city and meet other wild animals, including a group of beautiful white horses.
The lions are able to climb to the top of a building and look out over the city, seeing the horizon for the first time since they were captured in the wild. And then, well, this story has a sad ending, as most war tales do.
The artwork is beautiful and colorful, and I think it's a great way to tell the story. It also reminded me that I want to read the book Babylon's Ark, which is about the rescue of zoo animals during the war.
January 1, 2022
Inspired by a true story of 4 lions who escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during the 2nd Iraqi war. I will warn you Vaughan sticks to the real unhappy ending for the lions and it left me a complete wreck. Nico Henrichon's art is superb! Vaughan’s dialogue for the lions is smart and snappy. The story is gripping. This was a 5 star book until that crushing ending.
October 27, 2017
I did not know this really happened. "Inspired by a True Story"
I love the art work. This is a brutal story with heart. I love that the animals tell their own story. A group of 4 Lions are in the Baghdad Zoo when the Iraq War started. The chaos in the zoo is done well in this book.
There is a scene in a palace that take my breath away with the art. I wonder if that is acurate? This is another tell showing us the horrors of War and all the casualties that happen anytime we start killing each other. This story is simply focused on the Zoo and shows nothing of what families went through. It appears to be utter hell. I'm glad I read this as it is something I never would have thought about.
I love the art work. This is a brutal story with heart. I love that the animals tell their own story. A group of 4 Lions are in the Baghdad Zoo when the Iraq War started. The chaos in the zoo is done well in this book.
There is a scene in a palace that take my breath away with the art. I wonder if that is acurate? This is another tell showing us the horrors of War and all the casualties that happen anytime we start killing each other. This story is simply focused on the Zoo and shows nothing of what families went through. It appears to be utter hell. I'm glad I read this as it is something I never would have thought about.
September 8, 2008
My sister is stationed in Afghanistan after having been in Iraq a couple years earlier. I send her a care package about once a month and picked this one up on a whim when I was in Barnes & Noble to grab a couple of my favorite books to fit in the latest package.
I held this graphic novel back from that mailing for a few reasons. First, I didn't want to send something with a political message without having read it first. Second, I'm always on the lookout for new books for middle school boys and thought this mught be a good addition to a school library. Third, the art caught my attention and I wanted to read it for myself.
I will be sending this to my sister. It has a polical message, and some soldiers may disagree with the ending, but guess what? Soldiers are adults and should make their own choices. I hope she and her friends enjoy it, but even if they don't I hope they have a good discussion.
I am disappointed that I can't recommend it for a middle school library. There are a couple of sex scenes, one a rape. Obviously, these are cats, not humans, but I wouldn't feel comfortable defending it to a school board if a parent took offense. I would probably put it in a high school libray, but there would be discussion.
I personally loved it and will be buying my own copy for my keeper shelf. I thought the art was spectacular. It was fun to look at the lions and hear their story, then look past the lions and see our story.
I held this graphic novel back from that mailing for a few reasons. First, I didn't want to send something with a political message without having read it first. Second, I'm always on the lookout for new books for middle school boys and thought this mught be a good addition to a school library. Third, the art caught my attention and I wanted to read it for myself.
I will be sending this to my sister. It has a polical message, and some soldiers may disagree with the ending, but guess what? Soldiers are adults and should make their own choices. I hope she and her friends enjoy it, but even if they don't I hope they have a good discussion.
I am disappointed that I can't recommend it for a middle school library. There are a couple of sex scenes, one a rape. Obviously, these are cats, not humans, but I wouldn't feel comfortable defending it to a school board if a parent took offense. I would probably put it in a high school libray, but there would be discussion.
I personally loved it and will be buying my own copy for my keeper shelf. I thought the art was spectacular. It was fun to look at the lions and hear their story, then look past the lions and see our story.
August 23, 2022
“Freedom can’t be given, only earned.”
A candid and thought-provoking tale told through the eyes of animals.
Beautifully illustrated and raw, this was a story that was not afraid to not pull its punches. It touched on many sensitive topics such as animal cruelty, murder, and rape, yet it wasn’t crude about it. They all had a purpose within the plot and added to the overall message built up by the dialogue which was both deep and profound.
However, this wasn’t without a few errors. The pacing was great throughout but the ending came out of nowhere. And whilst it did reinforce the ironic message of freedom and the cruelty of man, it undermined all the character development that had occurred by cutting the story short at a pivotal moment. It was nice to see that the ending was somewhat historically accurate, but there was nothing to suggest that the ending couldn’t have been delayed in favour of creating a more rounded plot.
When it came to the poignancy of the message, it was clear to see. What was not obvious was the allegory being formed beneath the surface of the story. It was unveiled in great detail in the “making of” section at the end, without which I wouldn’t have noticed it at all. A lot of what were supposed to be metaphors for geographically relevant things were tenuously linked and over-complicated an already thought-provoking story.
(Recommended by James)
A candid and thought-provoking tale told through the eyes of animals.
Beautifully illustrated and raw, this was a story that was not afraid to not pull its punches. It touched on many sensitive topics such as animal cruelty, murder, and rape, yet it wasn’t crude about it. They all had a purpose within the plot and added to the overall message built up by the dialogue which was both deep and profound.
However, this wasn’t without a few errors. The pacing was great throughout but the ending came out of nowhere. And whilst it did reinforce the ironic message of freedom and the cruelty of man, it undermined all the character development that had occurred by cutting the story short at a pivotal moment. It was nice to see that the ending was somewhat historically accurate, but there was nothing to suggest that the ending couldn’t have been delayed in favour of creating a more rounded plot.
When it came to the poignancy of the message, it was clear to see. What was not obvious was the allegory being formed beneath the surface of the story. It was unveiled in great detail in the “making of” section at the end, without which I wouldn’t have noticed it at all. A lot of what were supposed to be metaphors for geographically relevant things were tenuously linked and over-complicated an already thought-provoking story.
(Recommended by James)
March 19, 2012
It's all fun and games until the giraffe loses its head...
When the Baghdad Zoo is destroyed during a bombing raid, most of the animals are thrilled at a chance for freedom. Then you-know-what happens to a giraffe, and things go swiftly downhill from there.
The artwork in this book is breathtakingly GORGEOUS, though unfortunately on the gruesome side. (Seriously, it's the most beautifully rendered headless giraffe I've ever seen!) There's a lovely panel of sun-dappled animals drinking from the Tigris, and fantastic depictions of lions roaming the wasted city and ruined palaces.
BUT...
The big problem for me was that the lions talked. That made the whole thing just a wee bit too Disneyesque, and with the extremely graphic violence and lion-on-lion sex, this is definitely NOT a book for the kiddies. And sadly, for this pride, there was no velvety-voiced Mufasa in the sky to offer advice. They were utterly on their own.
If this had been presented as a wordless graphic novel, it could have been amazing, but despite the flaws, it is still an unusual and interesting look at the unintended consequences of war.
When the Baghdad Zoo is destroyed during a bombing raid, most of the animals are thrilled at a chance for freedom. Then you-know-what happens to a giraffe, and things go swiftly downhill from there.
The artwork in this book is breathtakingly GORGEOUS, though unfortunately on the gruesome side. (Seriously, it's the most beautifully rendered headless giraffe I've ever seen!) There's a lovely panel of sun-dappled animals drinking from the Tigris, and fantastic depictions of lions roaming the wasted city and ruined palaces.
BUT...
The big problem for me was that the lions talked. That made the whole thing just a wee bit too Disneyesque, and with the extremely graphic violence and lion-on-lion sex, this is definitely NOT a book for the kiddies. And sadly, for this pride, there was no velvety-voiced Mufasa in the sky to offer advice. They were utterly on their own.
If this had been presented as a wordless graphic novel, it could have been amazing, but despite the flaws, it is still an unusual and interesting look at the unintended consequences of war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2015
Bullet Review:
I REALLY liked this graphic novel. And after Vaughan's gratingly sexist "Y: The Last Man", I thought maybe Vaughan and I were having a falling out. But this just CLICKED for me. The characters - the story - how heartbreaking it was. It does end up alluding to rape (can we ever not use that plot device) and it gets political, but I enjoyed myself f quite a lot.
I REALLY liked this graphic novel. And after Vaughan's gratingly sexist "Y: The Last Man", I thought maybe Vaughan and I were having a falling out. But this just CLICKED for me. The characters - the story - how heartbreaking it was. It does end up alluding to rape (can we ever not use that plot device) and it gets political, but I enjoyed myself f quite a lot.
December 8, 2008
How did this get on a list of quality comics along with Blankets and Persepolis? This book is complete crap. The story, characters and relationships are dull, shallow and predictable and lack any complexity whatsoever. And those are the books lesser flaws. Most concerning is the translation of human gender roles as conceived by patriarchy to the animal world, thus perpetuating the idea that patriarchy, heterosexuality, and the current gender role paradigm are the "natural" order of things. (If you are someone who holds this viewpoint, I recommend researching Franz de Waal's ideas about human evolution that take our close relatives the bonobos and also a cooperative gene we share a species of voles, among other things, into account to offer an alternate viewpoint.. Or try some books on primates such as gibbons, ring-tailed lemurs, or bonobos for a glimpse of different types of social orders). The frivolous use of rape as a plot point for character development is only one disturbing manifestation of this. This is not entirely dissimilar to the overused plot point of the death/murder/brutal rape of a female lover to further a male character's development in its casual use of violence against women to develop a story. On a slightly lighter note, one of many hetero-normative scenes shows two of the lions going off into the bushes after the female swoons over the male with some cheesy line about how being in the wild (and by inference being the big guy in charge who gives direction to the group) suits him. This is followed by the cub asking very innocently what they're doing in the bushes. In short, this is the kind of writing and storytelling that will make you cringe again and again.
September 8, 2020
2003’teki Amerika’nın Irak’ı işgali sırasında hayvanat bahçesinden kaçan dört aslanın hikayesinden temel alarak; farklı türlerdeki hayvanlar arasındaki kısa, yalın ama vurucu cümlelerle karmaşık fikir ve ideolojilerin yükünü anlatıyor. Özgürlük ve bedelleri konusunda genç nesil ile yaşlı nesil arasındaki çatışma, özgür kalma yolunda kurulan güven içermeyen ilişkiler, seçimler ve her canlının sahip olduğu doğal öze ve değiştirilmeye dair, genel çizgisinde bazı klişeleri barındırsa da, farklı bir çalışma.
“I hope there are other animals my age out there. I always wanted to kill a baby goat!”
“I hope there are other animals my age out there. I always wanted to kill a baby goat!”
December 16, 2016
This short story started off as an animal fable of Aesop.
Soon it became a holocaust story : war, struggle for survival, rape, torture and violence. Especially violence among animals.
It aims to be a parable about life during wartime.
To me, it only succeeded partially in its aim. Because even if you take away the war, the story could have been pretty much the same.
To me, it's not the masterpiece others claim it to be. It's not Maus, by far not.
Soon it became a holocaust story : war, struggle for survival, rape, torture and violence. Especially violence among animals.
It aims to be a parable about life during wartime.
To me, it only succeeded partially in its aim. Because even if you take away the war, the story could have been pretty much the same.
To me, it's not the masterpiece others claim it to be. It's not Maus, by far not.
November 10, 2010
Sometimes, out of the blue, I'll ask my fifteen-month-old daughter: "How does the lion go?" She will then muster up a metric horse-ton of ferocity a give the best little squeak of a Roar that she can manage. It's pretty thoroughly entertaining. Or at least mildly entertaining. Or at least more entertaining than Pride of Baghdad.
It's not even that there' so much anything wrong with Brian K. Vaughan's WE4. Really, the thing is just rather, well, slight. Shave off 75% of its page count and toss it in a handsome colour anthology of worthwhile comics shorts (maybe a less whimsical version of Flight*) and the story could have been wonderful. As it is though, Vaughan's sparse story is not enough to stand alone in its hardcover place on the shelf. It doesn't merit the publisher's treatment.
Vaughan has two interesting things to say in the book. One (1!), through his use of lions as protagonists, we note that the nature of the beast is a ferocious and arbitrary one, both fickle and dangerous. And two (2!), the story isn't about the lions.
Pride, as the play on terms in its title suggests, is about some lions in the capital of Iraq. This takes place in the early days of America's second-millennium military extravaganza in Hussein's country. The U.S. Air Force, in a show of great subtlety, is dropping bombs everywhere. All over the place. Even on the head of giraffes (good aim guys!). Predictably (if only because everything is being bombed), Baghdad's zoo collects its fair share and animals go flying everywhere. Even animals without wings. Like lions.
So the lions beat feet and aimlessly wander, looking for food and a better life. They really find neither and the lesson turns out to be both trite and affecting. Simultaneously. I think this is where length and format hinder the work. Had it been a less self-involved effort, Vaughan's moral could have been on point and well-received. Unfortunately, it makes too much of itself and by the time you arrive, you just kind of stand around looking at the wasteland of Baghdad and say to no one in particular, "Huh. Is that it? (No offense Baghdadians.)"
What else then? Uhm, nice art? I guess? Lion rape? A skinned donkey? Uh huh.
*note: actually, with the theme of the jets freeing the lions, it probably would have sat pretty comfortably in a volume of Flight.
It's not even that there' so much anything wrong with Brian K. Vaughan's WE4. Really, the thing is just rather, well, slight. Shave off 75% of its page count and toss it in a handsome colour anthology of worthwhile comics shorts (maybe a less whimsical version of Flight*) and the story could have been wonderful. As it is though, Vaughan's sparse story is not enough to stand alone in its hardcover place on the shelf. It doesn't merit the publisher's treatment.
Vaughan has two interesting things to say in the book. One (1!), through his use of lions as protagonists, we note that the nature of the beast is a ferocious and arbitrary one, both fickle and dangerous. And two (2!), the story isn't about the lions.
Pride, as the play on terms in its title suggests, is about some lions in the capital of Iraq. This takes place in the early days of America's second-millennium military extravaganza in Hussein's country. The U.S. Air Force, in a show of great subtlety, is dropping bombs everywhere. All over the place. Even on the head of giraffes (good aim guys!). Predictably (if only because everything is being bombed), Baghdad's zoo collects its fair share and animals go flying everywhere. Even animals without wings. Like lions.
So the lions beat feet and aimlessly wander, looking for food and a better life. They really find neither and the lesson turns out to be both trite and affecting. Simultaneously. I think this is where length and format hinder the work. Had it been a less self-involved effort, Vaughan's moral could have been on point and well-received. Unfortunately, it makes too much of itself and by the time you arrive, you just kind of stand around looking at the wasteland of Baghdad and say to no one in particular, "Huh. Is that it? (No offense Baghdadians.)"
What else then? Uhm, nice art? I guess? Lion rape? A skinned donkey? Uh huh.
*note: actually, with the theme of the jets freeing the lions, it probably would have sat pretty comfortably in a volume of Flight.
June 4, 2015
خلاقیت نویسنده های این کمیک رو باید ستود به خاطر نوع نگاهشون . از نظر گرافیکی هم کار خوبیه به خصوص چند صفحه آخرش که قشنگ مثل عکس میمونه و عالیه . در این حد که من دوست داشتم کیفیت بالاش رو میداشتم بذارم بک گراند پی سی .
May 13, 2018
Adult comic book. Powerful, moving, harsh reality about war. Wonderfully done.
July 11, 2019
“Hwy 1” by Brian Turner comes to mind:
It begins with the Highway of Death,
with an untold number of ghosts
wandering the road at night, searching
for the way home, to Najaf, Kirkuk,
Mosul and Kanni al Saad. It begins here
with a shuffling of feet on the long road north.
This is the spice road of old, the caravan trail
of camel dust and heat, where Egyptian limes
and sultani lemons swayed in crates
strapped down by leather, where merchants
traded privet flowers and musk, aloes,
honeycombs and silk brought from the Orient.
Past Marsh Arabs and the Euphrates wheel,
past wild camels and waving children
who marvel at the painted guns, the convoy
pushes on, past the ruins of Babylon and Sumer,
through the land of Gilgamesh where minarets
sound the muezzin’s prayer, resonant and deep.
Cranes roost atop power lines in enormous
bowl-shaped nests of sticks and twigs,
and when a sergeant shoots one from the highway
it pauses, as if amazed that death has found it
here, at 7 a.m. on such a beautiful morning,
before pitching over the side and falling
in a slow unraveling of feathers and wings.
It begins with the Highway of Death,
with an untold number of ghosts
wandering the road at night, searching
for the way home, to Najaf, Kirkuk,
Mosul and Kanni al Saad. It begins here
with a shuffling of feet on the long road north.
This is the spice road of old, the caravan trail
of camel dust and heat, where Egyptian limes
and sultani lemons swayed in crates
strapped down by leather, where merchants
traded privet flowers and musk, aloes,
honeycombs and silk brought from the Orient.
Past Marsh Arabs and the Euphrates wheel,
past wild camels and waving children
who marvel at the painted guns, the convoy
pushes on, past the ruins of Babylon and Sumer,
through the land of Gilgamesh where minarets
sound the muezzin’s prayer, resonant and deep.
Cranes roost atop power lines in enormous
bowl-shaped nests of sticks and twigs,
and when a sergeant shoots one from the highway
it pauses, as if amazed that death has found it
here, at 7 a.m. on such a beautiful morning,
before pitching over the side and falling
in a slow unraveling of feathers and wings.
September 6, 2015
This book is exceptionally thought-provoking, horrific, beautiful and enlightening all at once. I need to think how to say everything I feel about it so I'll probably update my review tomorrow for this, but suffice to say one of the most moving Graphic Novels I have read ever. If you've not read it, read it! It's beautifully illustrated and truly devastating too. Everything you could want. 5*s of course. More thoughts and a more concise review to follow soon!
December 21, 2017
This is my second graphic novel by Brian K. Vaughan and though the plot was weaker than Saga I loved the art and the idea. It took me by surprise(especially the ending) and I enjoyed it very much.
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February 24, 2018
Okay, so, where to begin? This has to be a spoiler review:
This story takes place during the war in the Middle East so I suspected the ending was going to be really sad. Admittedly, I hadn't heard about the story of 4 lions that got free and were later killed by US soldiers. I was quite young at the time and I probably would've cried then the way I did reading this. Violence against animals has always been a weak spot for me and this story was no exception.
This doesn't feel like a Brian K Vaughn book in that the typical character types are not present. That's not a dig at the book, it was just interesting. I really liked all of the characters:
- Safa was such an interesting character; both spunky and very protective over her cub.
- Ali was adorable and naive.
- Zill was an interesting male character because he was quite passive, partially because the two female characters were so strong.
- Noor was amazing to me. While I'm not always a fan of sexual assault as a plot for a character, it was used to explain why Noor's biggest concern in this book was safety. She didn't want to leave the zoo because she'd lived in the wild and had a horrible experience with not knowing where her next meal would come from and being attacked by male lions. She was a very complex character and it was clear she cared a lot about Ali and Safa, although they butt heads a lot.
The story itself was told with great pacing. It sort of lured me into a false sense of security and I really was prepared to watch them go off into the sunset safely. I enjoyed the bit with the little turtle man who sort of explained how frequent wars happen. The part with the giant bear was terrifying but very well written. And then there's the ending... man, that pained me. Safa calling out for Ali as she died will stick with me for quite some time.
So, it's definitely a recommend from me. One of Vaughn's best.
5 stars.
This story takes place during the war in the Middle East so I suspected the ending was going to be really sad. Admittedly, I hadn't heard about the story of 4 lions that got free and were later killed by US soldiers. I was quite young at the time and I probably would've cried then the way I did reading this. Violence against animals has always been a weak spot for me and this story was no exception.
This doesn't feel like a Brian K Vaughn book in that the typical character types are not present. That's not a dig at the book, it was just interesting. I really liked all of the characters:
- Safa was such an interesting character; both spunky and very protective over her cub.
- Ali was adorable and naive.
- Zill was an interesting male character because he was quite passive, partially because the two female characters were so strong.
- Noor was amazing to me. While I'm not always a fan of sexual assault as a plot for a character, it was used to explain why Noor's biggest concern in this book was safety. She didn't want to leave the zoo because she'd lived in the wild and had a horrible experience with not knowing where her next meal would come from and being attacked by male lions. She was a very complex character and it was clear she cared a lot about Ali and Safa, although they butt heads a lot.
The story itself was told with great pacing. It sort of lured me into a false sense of security and I really was prepared to watch them go off into the sunset safely. I enjoyed the bit with the little turtle man who sort of explained how frequent wars happen. The part with the giant bear was terrifying but very well written. And then there's the ending... man, that pained me. Safa calling out for Ali as she died will stick with me for quite some time.
So, it's definitely a recommend from me. One of Vaughn's best.
5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2008
I tend to be more of a word person than an image person and when reading graphic novels, that's not a good thing. This graphic novel however has such stunningly beautiful artwork that it's impossible to overlook. I found myself looking and absorbing the pictures before reading the words and then looking at the artwork once more with the words in mind.
The story is about a pride of lions who during the bombing of Baghdad in 2003 escapes from Baghdad Zoo and while trying to find out what is happening around them and what it means to be free, happens upon an american patrol that shoots and kills the by now starving lions. The story is based on a true story and while telling the story about the lions, at the same time tells about the Iraqi people and their struggle for freedom.
Everything just works in this one - the dialogue between the lions, especially in the beginning, is quick and funny and every emotion they feel is rendered beautifully by Niko Henrichon. The story is well-written by Brian K. Vaughan and touches on deeper political and philosophical ideas of freedom, racial distrust and the like.
Just so beautiful - but also sad...
The story is about a pride of lions who during the bombing of Baghdad in 2003 escapes from Baghdad Zoo and while trying to find out what is happening around them and what it means to be free, happens upon an american patrol that shoots and kills the by now starving lions. The story is based on a true story and while telling the story about the lions, at the same time tells about the Iraqi people and their struggle for freedom.
Everything just works in this one - the dialogue between the lions, especially in the beginning, is quick and funny and every emotion they feel is rendered beautifully by Niko Henrichon. The story is well-written by Brian K. Vaughan and touches on deeper political and philosophical ideas of freedom, racial distrust and the like.
Just so beautiful - but also sad...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2019
A war story seen through the perspective of a pride of lions, two females , a male and a cub, freed from the Baghdad zoo along with most of the animals after a bombing. They make their way through the city looking for food and meet various adventures along the way. Based on true events, the lions were eventually shot by American soldiers. Sad, but a nice meditation on freedom. Beautifully illustrated in full colour.
July 5, 2014
مذهلة دا اللي أقدر اوصف بيه الحالة اللي كنت حاسسها
ازاي من خبر صغير ممكن تقرأه ف جريدة تعمل عمل بديع شبه دا
اثناء الغزو الامريكي ل لبغداد تم قصف حديقة الحيوان
دا الخبر
يقرر المؤلف الانتظار ويستوعب الامور قليلا
ويكتب قصة ابطالها
من الحيوانات
اسد وشبل و لبؤتين
ومجموعة من القرود وغزالة و دب
الابطال الاساسيون هم سرب الاسود
هم محور الحدث
اللبؤة التي كانت طالما تبحث عن الحرية وتريد الحصول عليها
بينما الكل يولمها ويخبروها انتي لا تعرفي ما تتمنين
ويأتي الغزو والطائرات تضرب في كادر ساحر عجبني بشدة الخاص بالزرافة
الفوضي تعم الارجاء يتم اختطاف الشبل من القرود
لللاحتماء به
يقابلوا ف رحلتهم سلاحفة حكيمة عاصرت الحروب السابقة
الحدوتة رمزية للابعد درجة وبسيطة للابعد الحدود
انا مش بحب ابص ورا المعاني انا بسيب نفسي للحدوته ومطرح ما تأخدني ابتدي ابص
القصة هي ملخص القصة العراقية والامريكية
الدب القاتل ونهاية كل شئ ف النهاية المأساوية
الافكار رائعة ساحرة مرسومة حلو جدا الكلام واضح وبسيط
اتعاملت علي الرمزية فل
اتعاملت بفكرة القصة زي ما هي مازالت مستمتع
وعاوز تعرف ايه اللي هيحصل
ايه مصيريهم؟؟
كادر بسيط شبه دا مثلا
يخليك تفكر مليون مرة و تفكر ف مليون شئ
طبعا مش محتاج اقول للاصحاب نظريات المؤامرة
وان الاسود دي رمز ماسوني وان الراجل بيقول ان الحروب دي من حروب الجيل الرابع
وكل القرف اللي نفسي يتم اصادر قانون انه اللي يقول الكلام دا وهو مقتنع بتحبس في اوضة مفهاش غير صور وشرايط سعد الصغير وهو بيقرأ شعر لمحمود درويش
وتفريغ سيناريو الفيلم الاهطل اللي اسمه القادمون
بديعة بديعة بديعة
شكرا ل أحمد سابق لترشيحها ليا
للتحميل
http://kickass.to/pride-of-baghdad-t8...
ازاي من خبر صغير ممكن تقرأه ف جريدة تعمل عمل بديع شبه دا
اثناء الغزو الامريكي ل لبغداد تم قصف حديقة الحيوان
دا الخبر
يقرر المؤلف الانتظار ويستوعب الامور قليلا
ويكتب قصة ابطالها
من الحيوانات
اسد وشبل و لبؤتين
ومجموعة من القرود وغزالة و دب
الابطال الاساسيون هم سرب الاسود
هم محور الحدث
اللبؤة التي كانت طالما تبحث عن الحرية وتريد الحصول عليها
بينما الكل يولمها ويخبروها انتي لا تعرفي ما تتمنين
ويأتي الغزو والطائرات تضرب في كادر ساحر عجبني بشدة الخاص بالزرافة
الفوضي تعم الارجاء يتم اختطاف الشبل من القرود
لللاحتماء به
يقابلوا ف رحلتهم سلاحفة حكيمة عاصرت الحروب السابقة
الحدوتة رمزية للابعد درجة وبسيطة للابعد الحدود
انا مش بحب ابص ورا المعاني انا بسيب نفسي للحدوته ومطرح ما تأخدني ابتدي ابص
القصة هي ملخص القصة العراقية والامريكية
الدب القاتل ونهاية كل شئ ف النهاية المأساوية
الافكار رائعة ساحرة مرسومة حلو جدا الكلام واضح وبسيط
اتعاملت علي الرمزية فل
اتعاملت بفكرة القصة زي ما هي مازالت مستمتع
وعاوز تعرف ايه اللي هيحصل
ايه مصيريهم؟؟
كادر بسيط شبه دا مثلا
يخليك تفكر مليون مرة و تفكر ف مليون شئ
طبعا مش محتاج اقول للاصحاب نظريات المؤامرة
وان الاسود دي رمز ماسوني وان الراجل بيقول ان الحروب دي من حروب الجيل الرابع
وكل القرف اللي نفسي يتم اصادر قانون انه اللي يقول الكلام دا وهو مقتنع بتحبس في اوضة مفهاش غير صور وشرايط سعد الصغير وهو بيقرأ شعر لمحمود درويش
وتفريغ سيناريو الفيلم الاهطل اللي اسمه القادمون
بديعة بديعة بديعة
شكرا ل أحمد سابق لترشيحها ليا
للتحميل
http://kickass.to/pride-of-baghdad-t8...
February 13, 2019
خيلى چيز خاصى نبود ولى خب دوسش داشتم. طراحياش بسيار زيبا بودن. تا حدى يادآور انيميشن شير شاه بود برام.
August 13, 2007
I'm a sucker for three things, it seems: Brian K. Vaughn, political graphic novels, and animals. I recently picked up a beautiful looking graphic novel I happened upon in a comic book store called "Pride of Baghdad" written by Brian K. Vaughn (writer of Ex Machina, Y: The Last Man, and The Escapists). Its cover has a beautiful, close-up drawing of a lion's face, and Vaughn's name graces the top. When I read the synopsis on the back - a "based on true events" telling of what the streets of Baghdad were like during the beginning of our war with Iraq from the point of view of a pride of lions that escaped the Baghdad Zoo - I thought, "Brian Vaughn? ANIMALS?! POLITICS?! This book has EVERYTHING!"
Overall, I was not disappointed. This pride of lions escaping a zoo proved an effective literary parallel to an Iraqi citizenry thrust into a new world without a dictator. Vaughn uses this conceit to great effect as we watch this lion family hunt for food and fight for survival in the midst of shelling, rubble, and ruin. Important questions of what freedom means and what price one should be willing to pay for it are addressed as the lions fight amongst themselves and interact with other species. Human beings are relegated to the background, as dead bodies the lions must decide to eat or not, or as American soldiers.
And here, I will say that Vaughn's storytelling would be nothing without Niko Henrichon's stunning artwork. I've said this before: being a writer myself, I tend to notice the writing in comics more than the art. However, sometimes I'll come across an artist who is so obviously an active part of the storytelling that I can't ignore it. From the multi-faceted emotions on the animals' faces throughout the story, to the gut-wrenching, bullet-riddled conclusion, Henrichon's art ends up telling most of the tale, and tells it beautifully.
The one problem I had with Pride of Baghdad is something that is difficult for anyone who has chosen to tell a story through animals. There were certain plot points in the story, or bits of dialogue, that sounded and felt too human for me. While I understand that they are being used to represent the Iraqis, a point is also made in the story (by an old turtle who has seen it all) about how human beings destroy everything. I wonder how the story would've been different had the animals been allowed to be animals. What would an American invasion had looked like from the point of view of total innocence - not only innocence, but creatures who are free of human emotions like anger, jealousy....and pride?
Still, Pride of Baghdad was a satisfying, emotional read, cemented Brian K. Vaughn as one of my favorite writers, and introduced me to a wonderful artistic talent in Niko Henrichson.
Overall, I was not disappointed. This pride of lions escaping a zoo proved an effective literary parallel to an Iraqi citizenry thrust into a new world without a dictator. Vaughn uses this conceit to great effect as we watch this lion family hunt for food and fight for survival in the midst of shelling, rubble, and ruin. Important questions of what freedom means and what price one should be willing to pay for it are addressed as the lions fight amongst themselves and interact with other species. Human beings are relegated to the background, as dead bodies the lions must decide to eat or not, or as American soldiers.
And here, I will say that Vaughn's storytelling would be nothing without Niko Henrichon's stunning artwork. I've said this before: being a writer myself, I tend to notice the writing in comics more than the art. However, sometimes I'll come across an artist who is so obviously an active part of the storytelling that I can't ignore it. From the multi-faceted emotions on the animals' faces throughout the story, to the gut-wrenching, bullet-riddled conclusion, Henrichon's art ends up telling most of the tale, and tells it beautifully.
The one problem I had with Pride of Baghdad is something that is difficult for anyone who has chosen to tell a story through animals. There were certain plot points in the story, or bits of dialogue, that sounded and felt too human for me. While I understand that they are being used to represent the Iraqis, a point is also made in the story (by an old turtle who has seen it all) about how human beings destroy everything. I wonder how the story would've been different had the animals been allowed to be animals. What would an American invasion had looked like from the point of view of total innocence - not only innocence, but creatures who are free of human emotions like anger, jealousy....and pride?
Still, Pride of Baghdad was a satisfying, emotional read, cemented Brian K. Vaughn as one of my favorite writers, and introduced me to a wonderful artistic talent in Niko Henrichson.
October 12, 2020
The idea behind this one is quite interesting. Exploring the concept of freedom through the eyes of captivated lions is definitely not easy, to say the least too. I did have a hard time not thinking of The Lion King here and there, despite all the Rated-R content that this one includes. The artwork is pretty good though, but there are a lot of plot holes that make this pride's journey a bit rushed and hard to believe in the end.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,866 reviews