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War: The Human Cost
War: The Human Cost contains the work of 67 artists from around the world, with 80% of the work being made specifically for this book. With groundbreaking, visually stunning strips, the book reveals truths regarding the realities of conflict, and the unethical practices of those who profit from it. From first hand accounts, through biting satire, to well researched exposés and factual pieces, this expressive and humanist work joins the dots from the duplicitous political think tanks and arms manufacturers, to warzone and human rights abuses, right through to the refugees and asylum seekers and those who put their lives on the line to end the bloodshed and create peace. From well known and veteran artists such as Steve Bell, Spain Rodriguez, Peter Kuper, Mack White, Aleksandar Zograf, Marcel Ruijters, Abu Mahjoob, Colin Upton, Mark Stafford and Mazen Kerbaj to lesser known underground talent including Lawrence Elwick, Christopher Rainbow, Paul O Connell, Hannes Pasqualini, Ulli Lust, Alejandro Alvarez, Nelson Evergreen, Dan Locke, Inko, Eric Theriault, Nicole Schulman, Jimi Gherkin and Dan Archer (full list of contributors at bottom of page); this anthology showcases a moving and visually stunning collection of comic strips and art.
The accompanying War & Peace CD, an eclectic collection of fantastic music features tracks by 20 artists including Michael Franti & Spearhead, Big Youth, Sly & Robbie, The Levellers, DJ Spooky, Zion Train, Blue King Brown, Kal, Bela Emerson, Groove Corporation, Andre Afram Asmar & many more. Spanning World Music, Reggae, Punk, Gypsy/ Roma, Folk, Dub, Experimental & Electronica, like the book, explores the themes of conflict, struggle, standing up for peace and positivity in the face of oppression.
The accompanying War & Peace CD, an eclectic collection of fantastic music features tracks by 20 artists including Michael Franti & Spearhead, Big Youth, Sly & Robbie, The Levellers, DJ Spooky, Zion Train, Blue King Brown, Kal, Bela Emerson, Groove Corporation, Andre Afram Asmar & many more. Spanning World Music, Reggae, Punk, Gypsy/ Roma, Folk, Dub, Experimental & Electronica, like the book, explores the themes of conflict, struggle, standing up for peace and positivity in the face of oppression.
- GenresGraphic Novels
260 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 16, 2017
“War: The Human Cost” features 260 pages of strips from 60 creators among 17 countries, and some big-name musicians to create a tasteful publication and art. The acclaimed Spain Rodriguez contributes a short on faith-based terrorism and Hannes Pasqualini comes in with 8 pages of silent comic on dehumanisation amongst soldiers. Documentaries include the alliance between Francisco Franco and the Catholic Church after the Civil War, Vietnam, Camp X-Ray Guantanamo.
The book features collaborations with Campaign Against the Arms Trade and creatives involved in the work of Amnesty International, War on Want and The Red Cross, work from underground cartoonists and established commercial artists. It’s not light on big names too: Spain Rodriguez, Steve Bell, Daniel Merlin Goodbrey, Aleksandar Zograf and Sean Michael Wilson to name but a few. There’s also a CD, “War and Peace”, which boasts inclusions of Michael Franti and The Spearheads, Big Youth, Sly & Robbie, The Levellers….
Given the central polemic (67 creatives on anti-war opinion), anyone would expect the content to move towards arrogantly self-assured. I’m happy to report that any such dogmatic preaching is at it’s bare minimal. Debra Lyn-Williams and Peet Clack’s “War Wounds” shares the hidden narrative ofthe home consequences of military flashbacks, and is one of the many heavy-hitters in this book. Marcel Ruitjers explores the Bush-Nazi connection, a narrative often resigned to the slander of conspiracy theorist, and realises it with right-chord caricature pen proof. Other artists veer off in this direction with traditional cartoon analogy or fables, such as Peter Kuper, Latuff and Lee O Connor.
Alejandro Alvarez delivers a relationship between reader and cast, communication and health, mind and power, in a story about Camp X-Ray. It’s one of those based upon real lives, as is Christopher Rainbow’s drawings of interviews with residents of Harmondsworth Detention Centre. This is a particular speciality of Sean Duffield. Together with Lawrence Elwick, he recounts the life of Palden Gyatso (in first person narrative), which acts as a useful tool to teach on the history of 20th century Tibet and the human rights movement there. Thirteen pages proceeded by a two page text introduction is a good example of how Duffield as editor creates unstated chapters in the book, on arms manufacture, detention, propaganda and international relations. His ‘Liberation in Liberia’ charting the women’s civil rights movement, is another on a par with the work of Joe Sacco.
Obligatory mention to Paul O Connell, best known for The Sound of Drowning and The Muppets Wicker Man. O’ Connell has four pieces in total. The fumetti (photo comic) style for which he’s known is employed in an excellent piece on the cold war, and a wonderfully written short visual essay, “Orwell on War”. There’s divergences too. The anachronistic Boys comic classic painted work right out of Middle class England is jarring ripping serenity. The images narrate a boys journey to war, with a pat on the head from the village shopkeeper and the gentleman recruiter.
“The CD features well known artists who support the project, such as Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sly & Robbie, DJ Spooky, Blue King Brown, Zion Train, The Levellers, Big Youth & Twilight Dub Circus, The Groove Corporation & many more.” £1 from every purchase of the not-for-profit book goes to the well-respected NGO, CAAT (Campaign Against Arms Trade). A mammoth project, yes. Paper Tiger have made use of a the interest in such a project in order to bring it to the public.
The book features collaborations with Campaign Against the Arms Trade and creatives involved in the work of Amnesty International, War on Want and The Red Cross, work from underground cartoonists and established commercial artists. It’s not light on big names too: Spain Rodriguez, Steve Bell, Daniel Merlin Goodbrey, Aleksandar Zograf and Sean Michael Wilson to name but a few. There’s also a CD, “War and Peace”, which boasts inclusions of Michael Franti and The Spearheads, Big Youth, Sly & Robbie, The Levellers….
Given the central polemic (67 creatives on anti-war opinion), anyone would expect the content to move towards arrogantly self-assured. I’m happy to report that any such dogmatic preaching is at it’s bare minimal. Debra Lyn-Williams and Peet Clack’s “War Wounds” shares the hidden narrative ofthe home consequences of military flashbacks, and is one of the many heavy-hitters in this book. Marcel Ruitjers explores the Bush-Nazi connection, a narrative often resigned to the slander of conspiracy theorist, and realises it with right-chord caricature pen proof. Other artists veer off in this direction with traditional cartoon analogy or fables, such as Peter Kuper, Latuff and Lee O Connor.
Alejandro Alvarez delivers a relationship between reader and cast, communication and health, mind and power, in a story about Camp X-Ray. It’s one of those based upon real lives, as is Christopher Rainbow’s drawings of interviews with residents of Harmondsworth Detention Centre. This is a particular speciality of Sean Duffield. Together with Lawrence Elwick, he recounts the life of Palden Gyatso (in first person narrative), which acts as a useful tool to teach on the history of 20th century Tibet and the human rights movement there. Thirteen pages proceeded by a two page text introduction is a good example of how Duffield as editor creates unstated chapters in the book, on arms manufacture, detention, propaganda and international relations. His ‘Liberation in Liberia’ charting the women’s civil rights movement, is another on a par with the work of Joe Sacco.
Obligatory mention to Paul O Connell, best known for The Sound of Drowning and The Muppets Wicker Man. O’ Connell has four pieces in total. The fumetti (photo comic) style for which he’s known is employed in an excellent piece on the cold war, and a wonderfully written short visual essay, “Orwell on War”. There’s divergences too. The anachronistic Boys comic classic painted work right out of Middle class England is jarring ripping serenity. The images narrate a boys journey to war, with a pat on the head from the village shopkeeper and the gentleman recruiter.
“The CD features well known artists who support the project, such as Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sly & Robbie, DJ Spooky, Blue King Brown, Zion Train, The Levellers, Big Youth & Twilight Dub Circus, The Groove Corporation & many more.” £1 from every purchase of the not-for-profit book goes to the well-respected NGO, CAAT (Campaign Against Arms Trade). A mammoth project, yes. Paper Tiger have made use of a the interest in such a project in order to bring it to the public.
June 7, 2020
I felt I had to write about this book as it really impressed me (so much that I edited and published it lol). As I'm an underground publisher that isn't very well known, I think more people should be aware of this Graphic Anthology and Music CD project. So please forgive this blatant promotion of this book, but if you read on, it's certainly not 'all about me' as I am just one contributer of many well known, and lesser know cartoonists, and comic artists/writers involved.
I urge anyone and everyone to read it, no matter what your standpoint, your age (it's young adult+ content with mature themes) or your personal and political beliefs. The book puts partisan politics aside & investigates and reports from a humanitarian outlook, the reasons for going to war, who profits from it, who is affected by it, what happens during it, and the after effects of it. It also looks at those who resist and find peaceful resolutions.
There are some really harrowing first hand accounts of people involved in war; soldiers, civilians, reporters, Tibetan monks, refugees and asylum seekers in detention centres, guantanamo bay inmates, peaceful demonstrators in war zones etc. There are comics journalism exposés, and there is comic relief. There's a range of stories and ideas, from very gritty and serious, to darkly funny and satirical, to optimistic and inspiring.
It's a thick book (260 pages) and it takes a while to read, personally, I don't find any of the stories tedious, weak or too heavy going, which for an anthology is rare (but obviously that's my opinion). The stories are set from all around the world and from different time periods, although all have a relevance today, and most are set in the contemporary world.
Great art and writing from all the artists, notable ones being the late Spain Rodriguez (Zap Comix), Steve Bell (The Guardian/ BellToons), Peter Kuper (WW3 Illustrated/ Kafka/ Bleeding Heart), Mack White, Jen Sorensen, Aleksandar Zograf, Mazen Kerbaj, Daniel Locke, Lawrence Elwick etc.
The accompanying music CD contains superb, diverse music, again from around the world. Notably Michael Franti's Spearhead, Big Youth, Sly & Robbie, The Levellers, Blue King Brown, Zion Train, Groove Corporation, The Black Seeds, Twilight Dub Circus, DJ Spooky etc, but also some amazing obscure artists like Kal, Bela Emerson, Cat Catalyst, Axis Of Arseholes, Witchdoctor Wise, Andre Afram Asmar, Caroline Kendall and Mahisha!
Plus it's hand numbered and limited to only 750 copies!
That aside it's a very good informative read, that really makes you think and unlike much of the increasinly polarising mainstream news and media, actually gives you some hope and leaves you feeling better informed!
This book also helped raise funds for the UK's CAAT (Campaign Against the Arms Trade), as well as copies being donated to Amnesty International Bookshop and The Cowley Club Bookshop Brighton, for them to sell to raise money for their campaigns and events.
The famous song said 'Give peace a chance', and in that spirit, give this anthology one too.
Give it a read, pass it on. We can help heal divisions and end conflicts together, and expose those who benefit and profit from the complete opposite.
I urge anyone and everyone to read it, no matter what your standpoint, your age (it's young adult+ content with mature themes) or your personal and political beliefs. The book puts partisan politics aside & investigates and reports from a humanitarian outlook, the reasons for going to war, who profits from it, who is affected by it, what happens during it, and the after effects of it. It also looks at those who resist and find peaceful resolutions.
There are some really harrowing first hand accounts of people involved in war; soldiers, civilians, reporters, Tibetan monks, refugees and asylum seekers in detention centres, guantanamo bay inmates, peaceful demonstrators in war zones etc. There are comics journalism exposés, and there is comic relief. There's a range of stories and ideas, from very gritty and serious, to darkly funny and satirical, to optimistic and inspiring.
It's a thick book (260 pages) and it takes a while to read, personally, I don't find any of the stories tedious, weak or too heavy going, which for an anthology is rare (but obviously that's my opinion). The stories are set from all around the world and from different time periods, although all have a relevance today, and most are set in the contemporary world.
Great art and writing from all the artists, notable ones being the late Spain Rodriguez (Zap Comix), Steve Bell (The Guardian/ BellToons), Peter Kuper (WW3 Illustrated/ Kafka/ Bleeding Heart), Mack White, Jen Sorensen, Aleksandar Zograf, Mazen Kerbaj, Daniel Locke, Lawrence Elwick etc.
The accompanying music CD contains superb, diverse music, again from around the world. Notably Michael Franti's Spearhead, Big Youth, Sly & Robbie, The Levellers, Blue King Brown, Zion Train, Groove Corporation, The Black Seeds, Twilight Dub Circus, DJ Spooky etc, but also some amazing obscure artists like Kal, Bela Emerson, Cat Catalyst, Axis Of Arseholes, Witchdoctor Wise, Andre Afram Asmar, Caroline Kendall and Mahisha!
Plus it's hand numbered and limited to only 750 copies!
That aside it's a very good informative read, that really makes you think and unlike much of the increasinly polarising mainstream news and media, actually gives you some hope and leaves you feeling better informed!
This book also helped raise funds for the UK's CAAT (Campaign Against the Arms Trade), as well as copies being donated to Amnesty International Bookshop and The Cowley Club Bookshop Brighton, for them to sell to raise money for their campaigns and events.
The famous song said 'Give peace a chance', and in that spirit, give this anthology one too.
Give it a read, pass it on. We can help heal divisions and end conflicts together, and expose those who benefit and profit from the complete opposite.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews