Pride of Baghdad Graphic Novel Review

Brian K. Vaughn and Niko Henrichon present a different view of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Vaughn's first graphic novel. Released to popular and critical acclaim in 2006, "Pride of Baghdad" fictionalizes the true story of four lions that escaped from the Baghdad zoo. Anthropomorphic animals are embroiled in man's hatreds and violence.
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From the 4/21/03 issue of The Age, Australia
"The animals (including lions) were left to starve in the Baghdad Zoo in the al-Zawra entertainment park. Last week some of the zoo's seven lions made fatal bids for freedom through damaged walls.
One (lion) escaped on Tuesday and was shot dead by the troops, who feared it would run wild. On Thursday evening, three more (lions) forced their way out after nightfall. Soldiers tried to recapture the animals, herding them using vehicle headlights and shooting in the air."

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Up in a tree a raven caws ,"The sky is falling." The endless repetition angers Zill, the reigning male lion in the Baghdad zoo. Looking up he sees American fighter jets thunder by over head. His anthropomorphic response is, "Ah."

A lioness, Noor, is trying to convince an antelope to kill the keepers when they come to feed the herd. "But the humans are foolish enough to lower their defenses around your kind." When asked how the animals would use the keys Noor replies, "That's where the monkeys come in." Noor has been scheming to escape the keepers since her capture.

Zill comments on the lion's first encounter with the war machines of man, "Trust me, nothing that size has enemies." They flee from what they perceive as ultimate predators.

Brian K. Vaughn writes the dialogue of animals in the words of humans, but with the sensibilities of each species. Herd animals are hesitant to anger others, lions are confident in their power, bears are bullying juggernauts, and birds are, well . . . just flighty. Zill, Safa, Noor and Ali are proud, curious, frightened and loyal as they endure the ravages of a conflict beyond their understanding. To the young Ali, it is an adventure. To the older lions, it is a matter of survival.

The beauty of Iraq and the horror of war come through in Niko Henrichon's art and coloring. His thin detailed pencilling becomes washed out blue skies, hot orange and red of explosions and danger, and gritty brown earth and buildings. Niko's respect for the strength, grace and beauty of the animals is obvious in his artwork.

"Pride of Baghdad" is not a heart-warming tale of survival with a happy ending. It graphically recounts the horrors and terrors that come with war. The lions find themselves in an alien landscape where food is scarce and enemies appear from unlikely places. A palace becomes their lair and strange animals become their prey.

In a panel near the end, Henrichon shows us a dark gray Baghdad with the setting sun leaving a green horizon. A lone raven, possibly the one who warned Zill in the beginning, soars over the building. Vaughn writes, "There were other casualties as well."

It was true in 2003. It continues to be truth to this day. War is not just a battle between soldiers.

Pride of Baghdad, 2006, DC/Vertigo Comics