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Pride of Baghdad

by Brian K. Vaughan, Niko Henrichon (Illustrator)

3.87 · rating details · 4,651 ratings · 512 reviews

From one of America's most acclaimed comics writers a startlingly original look at life on the streets of Baghdad during the Iraq War inspired by true events.

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 desperat

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Paperback, 136 pages

Published April 17th 2008 by Vertigo

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Jan 07, 2009

Keely rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: comics, reviewed

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 fly...moreDespite 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.(less)

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Dec 08, 2008

Lobeck rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: comics

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...more

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Aug 15, 2008

Christina Stind rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: everyone who enjoys beautiful artwork and a compelling story told in the form of a graphic novel

Shelves: 2008, graphic-novels

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 h...more

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Nov 10, 2010

Seth Hahne rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: comics

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 p...moreSometimes, 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.(less)

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Oct 03, 2010

Cait rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: a-selection-of-comics-reviews, comics, currently-unowned, yay-for-libraries

EVEN THE GODDAMNED LIONESS HAD A GODDAMNED RAPE BACKSTORY.

WHAT THE FUCK, COMICS INDUSTRY.

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Jan 24, 2009

syrin rated it

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Shelves: read-2009, private-collection, comics

I've wanted to read this book for sometime now, not only because of the beautiful artwork, but because it's always interesting to read war stories from different perspectives. Maybe all that anticipation was the reason the story disappointed me so much.
I was expecting a tale about the real life animals that escaped during the bombings, but found a poorly disguised allegory instead – and a preachy one at that. Yes, the war is terrible. Yes, the crimes, the deaths, the suffering is terrible...more

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Sep 08, 2008

Lanica rated it

Recommends it for: Most adults.

Shelves: graphic-novels, favorites, fantasy, historical-fiction, read-in-2008, reviewed

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 scho...more

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Dec 19, 2007

Brian rated it

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Shelves: visual, read-not-owned

The concept of a comic book about Baghdad, told through the eyes of lions that escaped from the zoo during US bombing, is risky. Overall, despite what I thought were a few problematic moments early on that I won't discuss here (the rape scene, the monkey's scarification ritual), it succeeds in raising concern for animals themselves, while also representing humans, and not in a reductive way.

Turtle: Their lion's a statue of one of your kind trying to eat a man...but the man's fighting...more

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Sep 16, 2010

Alex Telander rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2006

PRIDE OF BAGHDAD BY BRIAN K. VAUGHN AND NIKO HENRICHON: When I heard about this title coming out I was immediately interested; apart from it being by the great writer and creator of the award winning Y The Last Man comic book series, the story sounded provocative, and being based on a true story made even more so.

The true story is a quick and simple one to tell: with the invasion of Baghdad in 2003, one of the first places abandoned was the zoo and when the bombs and destruction hit,...morePRIDE OF BAGHDAD BY BRIAN K. VAUGHN AND NIKO HENRICHON: When I heard about this title coming out I was immediately interested; apart from it being by the great writer and creator of the award winning Y The Last Man comic book series, the story sounded provocative, and being based on a true story made even more so.

The true story is a quick and simple one to tell: with the invasion of Baghdad in 2003, one of the first places abandoned was the zoo and when the bombs and destruction hit, a lot of cages and pens were broken open. A pride of lions escaped and began walking around Baghdad until they were found by US soldiers who were so shocked they just opened fire before the lions could do anything. With the mind and pen of Brian K. Vaughn and the beautiful and detailed artwork of Niko Henrichon, this is the lions’ fictional story.

The pride is composed of an aging male, his mother, his mate, and his single cub. In this world the animals can talk to each other and Vaughn does a great job of capturing attitudes and characters with the different animals. The pride leave the zoo, after rescuing the cub from a hoard of baboons who were about to tear him apart, and travel the streets of Baghdad, looking in houses and palaces, searching for food. In one great palace they find a mighty statue of a lion and take spiritual comfort from it magnitude and the respect that humans give it. In this palace they also find a chained old lion who was a pet, presumably one of Hussein’s sons or family members. There is also a mighty bear, another pet, who has broken free and there is a great fight between the bear and the lions. As the inevitable demise of the pride approaches, their last view is of a beautiful sunset on the city of Baghdad and before the cub dies, he gets to see his one and only horizon.

A very sad story, and yet moving in the way the writing and art adds such emotion and feeling to these animals that one can’t help but feel they deserved so much better than their horrible end.

For more book reviews, and author interviews, go to BookBanter.(less)

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Aug 12, 2007

Teresa Jusino rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: readandreviewed

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 t...moreI'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.
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Jan 31, 2009

new_user rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novel

If I could have given this cheesy, extremely simplistic portrayal of the Iraqi conflict less stars, I would. If not for the very human sexual innuendos and scenes (between lions, no less), Pride of Baghdad is what I would expect if Disney produced a film about the escaping lions as a thinly veiled allegory for the Iraqi people, the prevailing message being that only the fear and risk of an uncertain future is preventing the Iraqis from embracing freedom. (Also, that lions are very divided on the...more

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Sep 21, 2007

Sean rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: graphicnovels

As if being into SF novels and spending my Friday nights outlining torts didn’t label me as a total loser, I have started getting back into graphic novels as well. I don’t really know where this is coming from, but whatever, expect a bunch of reviews in the coming months. There’s a lot of talent people in comics putting out some smart stuff, including this little book.

Pride of Baghdad is about a group of lions set free by the US invasion of Iraq and their attempt to navigate the city...more

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Dec 07, 2008

Amari rated it

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Shelves: graphic-novel

The upside: the artwork was well done.

The downside: everything else. The story was dull, full of conjecture, and written in a childish manner. The entire story was full of strict (read harmful) gender roles- including an unnecessary, graphic rape scene. This GN is billed as being full of political commentary yet aside from one comment made by a turtle and the ending where the soldier lied about why they killed the lions, there wasn't much political about it at all. I think most revie...more

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Nov 03, 2007

Trin rated it

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Shelves: graphicnovel, american-lit

Based on a true incident: in 2003, a pride of lions escaped the Baghdad zoo during an American bombing. Vaughan uses this as a jumping off point to tell a story that's both an exciting adventure and a painful look at the true cost of war. This could have easily become an anvilicious, MY METAPHORS: LET ME SHOW YOU THEM fest, but Vaughan keeps the symbolism nicely subtle, creating a tale (no pun intended. Really) that works—and is heartbreaking—on multiple levels. A good book to show people who th...more

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Jan 03, 2009

Erik rated it

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Inspired by true events during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Vaughn and Henrichon’s fictional account of the short freedom of a pride of lions is both heart-wrenching and stunningly evocative. Who would have thought that there was a story in this? Well, Vaughn found one after it was reported that four lions escaped the Baghdad Zoo during the US bombing of the capital, and then their subsequent deaths at the hands of US forces days later when they were discovered starving and roaming the shell-shock...more

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Jan 23, 2012

Bellbomb Bellbomb rated it

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Have to say I'm not usually a big fan of graphic novel as my taste is more inclined towards Japanese manga. That said, I had to read this book for discussion in my MA class on issues in globalization. One fact I like about Western artworks, though, is that the artists seem to put a lot more emphasis on realistic propotion of humans and animals than the Japanese manga. I love that although the majority of characters in this book are animals, we can still see clearly how their emotions are faciall...more

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Jan 17, 2012

Daquane rated it

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Reading this book was very interesting at the beginning, although some may say that reading books that are based on a true story tend to be uninteresting. But reading the Book Pride by Baghdad really inspires you on a lot of things and wants you to learn more about life and reading this from my perspective made me want to know more about the world and what's going on outside of the state. It's very interesting to learn about the war or a little something about it to really understand what g...more

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Dec 18, 2011

Nicolo Yu rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novels

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 for...more

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Oct 16, 2011

Lori rated it

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Shelves: 2011, graphic-novel, non-fiction, travel-the-world

I have never read a graphic novel. The only “comics” I have ever been willing or wanted to follow for more than 2 panels are Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes. But, Books on the Nightstand (an outstanding podcast that has greatly enhanced my TBR list!) recently had a list of graphic novel recommendations for those of us book snobs that are NOT graphic novel fans but, after listening to others rave about them might finally agree to give one a try. This was one of those recommendations and I was going...more

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May 03, 2011

Meredith rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: animals, adventure, graphic-novels, realistic

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 15, 2010

Nick rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novels

Judging from the reviews, it seems this is a love it or hate it type of thing, so I'll just be boring and give it two stars. Vaughan is one of my favorite writers mainly due to his superb work on the Y the Last Man series, but his usually clever writing isn't quite up to par here.

Having talking animals star in a serious and tragic story is the inherent problem in Pride of Baghdad. I could partially blame Disney for ruining the possibility of ever having animals talk and not break...more

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Oct 10, 2010

jess rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, graphic-novels

This graphic novel is a fictionalized account of the true story of a pride of lions living in the Baghdad Zoo in 2003, when America is bombing the city. I read some newspaper accounts of the four lions, and, well, here's artistic license at work. There is one male lion, two lionesses, and one of the lioness's cubs, who was a little too "Simba" for me to relate to. Bombs drop on the zoo, the lions are forced to evacuate, they explored the abandoned, bombed out city: the streets, Saddam'...moreThis graphic novel is a fictionalized account of the true story of a pride of lions living in the Baghdad Zoo in 2003, when America is bombing the city. I read some newspaper accounts of the four lions, and, well, here's artistic license at work. There is one male lion, two lionesses, and one of the lioness's cubs, who was a little too "Simba" for me to relate to. Bombs drop on the zoo, the lions are forced to evacuate, they explored the abandoned, bombed out city: the streets, Saddam's palace, a human body inside a building. Horses run through the streets. The exotic animals from the Hussein palace wrangle with our lion heroes. The small pride gets to watch the sunset on the horizon from the top of a pile of rubble. Then some US soldiers open fire on the lions. The soldier claims it was self-defense even though the reader can clearly see that the lions are just watching the sun set and not charging at the troops. Since it's based on a true story, I can tell you that without it being a spoiler. :D There is a lot of reflecting on freedom - the value of it, how you can get it, etc. Is it better to be free or safe? One lion says to another, "There's an old saying: Freedom cannot be given, only earned."

Side note: I found out about it from a challenged graphic novel list my friend Andrea sent me. Levi read the book first, as he does with almost every graphic novel that comes in our house, except Ooku. I asked him why someone would think this book should be banned. His suggestion was because one of the lionesses gets raped early in the book. After I read it, I was most disturbed by the three panels where a giraffe's head is blown off. I'm not sure that I want to tackle the issue of wild animals giving consent, but suffice to say the headless giraffe bothered me a lot more.

I know this book usually provokes strong reactions from readers. it's one of those one star or five star books. I felt very middle of the road about it, though. The art was strong and lovely, although I have some Disney-influenced problems where I hear Lion King voices in my head when illustrated lions talk. The allegory is heavy-handed and strained. The dialogue and character development are not strong, but the message is. And because I'm sentimental and emo and kind of still believe in big ideas, I managed to sort of like it. (less)

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Sep 27, 2010

Teresa rated it

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In 2003, four lions escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during the bombing of the city. In this graphic novel, author Brian K. Vaughan and artist Niko Henrichon depict what might have happened to the lions during their short period of freedom.[return][return]It s not at all difficult to see the lions' situation as a metaphor for the plight of civilians in a war zone. They discuss and debate just as humans do. They have moments that test their loyalty to each other and their understanding of morality. ...more

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Apr 24, 2010

Kelley Ross rated it

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Shelves: graphic-novels

I really did not enjoy this one at all. The only good thing about this novel is the art.

Let me say that I found this graphic novel in the kids library section. It is full of bad language, shocking gore, and even contains a lion rape scene. The story is not long enough or deep enough to make up for this horrible content, and in the end I found this novel nothing but offensive. In fact, it lacked so much story that I had trouble sympathizing with the characters at all.

Als...more

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Apr 08, 2010

Camie rated it

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I’m trying to read more graphic novels, and this one seemed promising. I'm sorry to report that this one did not go over as well as the first. Although the good has to be weighed with the bad. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all I was hoping for, and it left me scratching my head a little, wondering exactly what the author was really trying to do with this book.

Pride of Baghdad documents the adventures of a group of lions once they’ve been sprung from the zoo during the bombing of Baghdad....moreI’m trying to read more graphic novels, and this one seemed promising. I'm sorry to report that this one did not go over as well as the first. Although the good has to be weighed with the bad. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all I was hoping for, and it left me scratching my head a little, wondering exactly what the author was really trying to do with this book.

Pride of Baghdad documents the adventures of a group of lions once they’ve been sprung from the zoo during the bombing of Baghdad. The group consists of a male, two of his ladies (one old, one young), and a little cub. Conflicts arise as they leave the smoldering heap that used to be their home and venture into the city. They have to find food and shelter, all while not quite understanding what has happened. In the end, the lions fail to find a better life.

First, I have to say that Nico Henrichon's artwork in this book made it for me. I wish I could give the illustrations a different rating because, honestly, they were the best part for me. The facial expression of the lions was really wonderful, even their eyes were expressive. I still can remember those vivid red and orange colors splashing the pages. It made the events more tangible.

However, the writing for me was a little . . . strange. That’s really the only word I can think to describe it. Vaughan made his characters into such a bizarre mix of human and animal, that I wasn’t sure at all what he was trying to get at. He decided to include the idea of gang rape in the book, clearly not something found in the animal world (at least to my understanding), and yet, there’s another scene of “lion sexuality” that seems distinctly animalistic in nature. Honestly, both seemed rather extraneous to me. In another part of the book, the lions pontificate over whether they should eat an obviously dead human being, but then leave an entire bear carcass to rot, because they want that particular individual to “suffer.” Are they driven by hunger, or not?

The book is obviously a thinly-veiled metaphor of the Iraq war, but I found the characters confusing. And the moral-driven plot becomes so abundantly clear in the end, it kind of made me gag. I mean, really? Is the Iraq conflict so cut and dry? I don’t know, maybe I just didn’t get it, but this one just didn’t do it for me.(less)

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Feb 12, 2010

Thurston Hunger rated it

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Shelves: reading-to-the-kids

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A lot of range on the reviews here. I've been a fan of Vaughan's by way of "Y: The Last Man" and "Ex Machina." He's got a fertile imagination, and knack for mingling the tides of his ideas with the currents of recent events. If you too are already a fan of his, I'd be surprised if this was not at least an enjoyable, if not excellent, read.

For me the question was whether I could share it with my 7-year old boys. Graphic novels have been a great way for us to connec...moreA lot of range on the reviews here. I've been a fan of Vaughan's by way of "Y: The Last Man" and "Ex Machina." He's got a fertile imagination, and knack for mingling the tides of his ideas with the currents of recent events. If you too are already a fan of his, I'd be surprised if this was not at least an enjoyable, if not excellent, read.

For me the question was whether I could share it with my 7-year old boys. Graphic novels have been a great way for us to connect and discuss topics that are beyond say "Curious George" and "Corduroy" while still having the boys engaged in the art/story combination.

So I leafed through this and saw a little rough animal sex...not much worse than a nature documentary, and a talented Mom/Dad can steer the kids past too much investigation at that point. There is also some violence (these are lions after all, cut loose from a zoo) and maybe a bit more blood than you might find on a documentary. That violence is more akin to say the Hulk, but ten times more meaningful in my opinion. The ending might be worth taking a peak at for you as an adult before deciding on sharing with your kids.

Anyways, we did read it, and it went fine. As for some of the assailing of the story, it is just that....a story. And barely over 100 pages of comic panels, so while the war[s:] in Iraq will fill libraries, I'd say don't expect too much of a statement in such a short form. And sure it's an allegory, and I think a decent one at that, but if you read it saying wait which animals represent the Kurds, how can that aspect be left out...well again think of it as a comic book.

Which is not to say that it does not draw in parallels to the Sunni Muslims who under Saddam's reign might not have gone through some of the doubts/epiphanies that the lions struggle with here. Maybe the turtle is a bit too talkative, but I enjoyed his time outside his shell before the shelling. Again, I am impressed by Vaughan's sheer invention.

Now perhaps Vaughan could have transplanted his ideas onto an alien planet and in the aftermath of a fictional war, but I think he gets spurred on by more immediate alternate universes. And for me, that works fine.

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Feb 07, 2010

Jamaica rated it

Shelves: ya-lit, forever-favorites-3

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The artwork is absolutely stunning, and the symbolism presented within this graphic novel parallels that of Orwell's Animal Farm , but naturally in a more recent context. Because the issues presented in this novel probably 'hit closer to home' (not to be so cliche so I do apologize), it seems a rather controversial subject, especially with the plethora of mature themes presented (death, murder, rape, brutality, etc.); yet what would you expect from a novel that is supposed to accurately project...moreThe artwork is absolutely stunning, and the symbolism presented within this graphic novel parallels that of Orwell's Animal Farm , but naturally in a more recent context. Because the issues presented in this novel probably 'hit closer to home' (not to be so cliche so I do apologize), it seems a rather controversial subject, especially with the plethora of mature themes presented (death, murder, rape, brutality, etc.); yet what would you expect from a novel that is supposed to accurately project the violence and brutality of war?

And perhaps I'm really writing this post to defend this graphic novel against some other reviews I've read to which I'm obviously not a fan.

For example, a shallow and predictable story line? Even war has that partial predictability-in a sense, yes? Especially if it is a kind of story where we know people are going to die, and certain things are going to happen. So I'm sorry that the war depicted here (or any war) isn't all posies and daisies and the plot 'twist' isn't everyone living happily ever after with a round of drinks in everyone's hands singing "God Bless the U.S.A -yay democracy!" =) k? (Yes, sarcasm is my super-power, what's yours?) I mean dont get me wrong, I love the U.S.A. and am involved with the military, so democracy is a must for me-but let's take a step back and think about what the story is trying to get at...

For example, 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" shows symbolism within the viewpoints of that culture (yes, I quoted this from someone else's reveiw) Think about it, in a culture where the idea of the patriarch reames supreme-and where a female only becomes a martyr by being 'put to use'for the common good other than to bear children (i.e. suicide bombing), shows this heiracrhy. In that respect, if one of their women were to be 'raped' as is the significance of the female lover getting raped- this would be an utter disrespect and shame for her and her family. Just as well, the males probably would not stand for it, and that disrespect shown-yes-will "typically compel a male character to a greater developement" and there is no problem with that as posed by this critic (Yes I'm quoting some more reviews that I have a problem with-but this is what literature is about, to argue and learn from each other yes?)

Woo, okay so this is turning out to be long. I'm just saying that to put a fast-label on a story that perhaps churns on your probably most obscene and most uncomfortable of notions, and hard-held beliefs, probably means you should re-look at your perception and figure out the story from various viewpoints (yours too, but after every other side). Harsh? Maybe, but I'm not here to be nice.

And as far as the ending with the American soldiers and the bear beforehand as an allegorical representation for the Am. side, again its posed choices. You can't tell me that Am. Soldiers, or any soldier has gone into a place and has willingly killed someone on the notion of 'just following orders' or perhaps sadly, with even a 'want to kill', or because of their training without knowing why they're killing the people that they are -- understandably again, its war, but when do we lose the ability to think as individual within the masses? Comraderie and loyalty, sure-- shoot them before they shoot you --sure, survival--yeah ... but again, where does all of it verge too far off coruse?

Granted, there are some parts in the book where the humor and language is a little 'eh' -but it wasn't anything not meant to be endured. So there, one little -itnsy -weensey problem, but its not like I'm gonna make a big deal about it (*hint hint).

So I'll leave it at that, and for anyone who reads this, go for it and comment. It'll be a fun time to just debate I'm sure, or talk. I like takling so, go for it~ You can Hate me if you want to, but love me if you can~
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Sep 14, 2009

jordan rated it

· review of another edition

Graphic novels continue to stand as a new medium, only receiving serious attention for perhaps three decades. In its continuing evolution as an adult art form, Brian Vaughn's "Pride of Baghdad" stands as an excellent achievement, one of which the famous Will Eisner would doubly have look on with considerable pride.

Pride explores the current situation in Iraq through an Animal Farmesque allegory of three lions escaping the Baghdad zoo at the beginning of the current war. The...more

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Apr 30, 2009

Barky rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novel, war, young-adult-fiction, narrated-by-animals, loss, violence, lions, 2010-abe-lincoln-nominees, war-in-iraq, realistic, depressing, dark, books-for-boys, animals, borrowed-from-the-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

· see review

Mar 15, 2009

Tom rated it

· review of another edition

One thing for certain, there is an audience for stories about the animal casualties of war; I'm just sorry Pride of Baghdad should profit from that because, as others have pointed out, it's hardly about animals. Pride takes the bare bones of a tragic animal news story and uses it as a 2-dimensional allegorical vehicle, the four lions furry mouthpieces for the author’s view on the Iraq War. Their characters, their names leave little impression because they don't matter; they're based on broad ide...more

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About Brian K. Vaughan

Born in Cleveland in 1976, Brian K. Vaughan is the Eisner, Harvey, and Shuster Award-winning writer and co-creator of the critically acclaimed comics series Y: The Last Man, Runaways, and Ex Machina (picked as one of the ten best works of fiction of 2005 by Entertainment Weekly).

Recently named "Writer of the Year" by Wizard Magazine, and one of the “top ten comic writers of ...moreBorn in Cleveland in 1976, Brian K. Vaughan is the Eisner, Harvey, and Shuster Award-winning writer and co-creator of the critically acclaimed comics series Y: The Last Man, Runaways, and Ex Machina (picked as one of the ten best works of fiction of 2005 by Entertainment Weekly).

Recently named "Writer of the Year" by Wizard Magazine, and one of the “top ten comic writers of all time” by Comic Book Resources, Vaughan’s work has been featured and/or reviewed in countless mainstream media outlets, including The New York Times, MTV, National Public Radio, and feminist magazine Bust, which photographed him for their “Men We Love” issue (don’t ask).

As an undergraduate film student at New York University, Vaughan got his big break as part of Marvel’s Stanhattan Project, a workshop for aspiring comic book writers. In the ten years since, he has written nearly all of the major DC and Marvel characters, everyone from Batman to the X-Men.

In September of 2006, Vertigo released Vaughan’s first original graphic novel, Pride of Baghdad, lavishly illustrated by artist Niko Henrichon. Inspired by an unbelievable true story of four lions who escaped the Baghdad Zoo during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pride is equal parts anthropomorphic adventure and Animal Farm-like parable about the ongoing conflict in Iraq, and was described as "the best novel so far" about the war by the UK's Telegraph.

Along with his creator-owned work, Vaughan is currently writing The Escapists, a Dark Horse miniseries inspired by Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, as well as a new Doctor Strange limited series for Marvel with artist Marcos Martin.

This summer, the new WGA member/CAA client transplanted his poor playwright wife to Los Angeles, where Vaughan is currently working on the screenplay adaptations of Y and Ex Machina for New Line Cinema, as well as other new creations in film and television.

His home on the web is www.bkv.tv, and he’s become the last aging hipster to get a MySpace page: www.myspace.com/briankvaughan

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