Russian-Ukrainian Conflict in Comics
- Two new graphic novels offer distinct perspectives on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, blending personal narratives with ancient context.
- In a war-torn Ukraine, a young girl named Vika struggles to find sleep amidst the constant threat of bombing.
- Like many Ukrainians, Vika relies on the "rule of the two walls," using her bathroom as a shelter.
Ukraine: Two Graphic Novels Explore war and History
Table of Contents
- Ukraine: Two Graphic Novels Explore war and History
- Insights into Recent Graphic Novels and Comics
- New Graphic Novel Explores Russian Perspectives Under putin
- Ukraine: Graphic Novels Offering Insights into War and History
Two new graphic novels offer distinct perspectives on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, blending personal narratives with ancient context.
Ukraine: Little Story of a Long War with Russia from the Middle Ages to the Present Day
In a war-torn Ukraine, a young girl named Vika struggles to find sleep amidst the constant threat of bombing. One night, an air raid alert warns of imminent danger.A missile strikes a nearby building, prompting Vika to seek refuge in the corridor of her apartment.
Like many Ukrainians, Vika relies on the “rule of the two walls,” using her bathroom as a shelter. This strategy involves placing at least two walls between oneself and the outside, hoping the first wall will absorb the initial blast and the second will deflect debris.
Seeking further safety, Vika finds refuge in a shelter where she encounters an elderly person and a teacher. They share with her the history of Ukraine, explaining the enduring desire of the Ukrainian people to preserve their language, culture, and independence since the Middle Ages.
The story traces the origins of this desire back to the birth and Christianization of Kyiv’s Rus’, a Slavic principality.This ancestral nation forms the basis of Russian claims to Ukrainian territory. Throughout history, the Russian empire has sought to control this territory through force, including the elimination of Cossacks in the 18th century, the suppression of the Ukrainian language in the 19th century, and the destruction of Ukrainian intellectual elites in the early 20th century.
The narrative also highlights the Holodomor in the early 1930s, a devastating famine orchestrated by the Communist regime that resulted in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians. Following the fall of communism,manipulated elections led to the rise of pro-Russian leaders,sparking popular revolutions and subsequent attacks on Crimea and the Donbass region.
The graphic novel aims to illustrate how these trials have strengthened Ukrainian national identity. The story alternates between the daily life of a young Ukrainian living under bombardment and a historical journey that reaches back to the Middle Ages, providing a deep-rooted perspective on Ukraine.
The artwork features expressive pencil work, capturing the fear and anxiety of the characters. The black and white illustrations are accented with orange hues, possibly referencing the Orange revolution.
The Ukrainian Notebooks: Journal of an invasion
On Feb. 24, 2022, the Russian invasion began, marking the start of what was termed a “special operation.” The initial aim, according to the Kremlin, was to capture Kyiv within 48 hours. In the days that followed, an author began documenting the unfolding events through daily phone calls, capturing the experiences of residents facing shortages of food and water, and the desperate search for family members.
This collection of testimonies provides a day-by-day account of the invasion as experienced by the people on the ground.
The graphic novel employs a blend of pencil sketches and drawings, accompanied by substantial text, creating a notebook-like feel. The focus is on presenting collected testimonies to highlight the impact of Russian aggression on the civilian population.
You have to check everything, to sort between what is propaganda and what is not. And on both sides of the conflict … that’s why I mention bandera or the Azov battalion. The situation is neither easy nor linear. The fact remains that we are dealing with an invasion.
Insights into Recent Graphic Novels and Comics
A look at some recent graphic novels and comics offering unique perspectives on contemporary issues.
Ukraine’s Sunflowers: Escaping the Invasion
This graphic novel tells the story of Lisa,who spent her childhood in Ukraine,picking sunflower seeds with her father.Now married to Pietro, an Italian comic book designer, she has chosen to live in Ukraine.As military planes fill the sky, Lisa’s worries grow, contrasting with the optimism of those around her. She contemplates moving to Italy, her husband’s homeland.In early 2022, with the threat from Russia looming, the couple decides to relocate. Soon after the invasion, family members join them, experiencing the tragedy from afar through the internet and strained phone calls. They are united in their determination to protect their world, language, and culture.
The story offers a personal account of a family’s experience during the Russian invasion. The artwork features simple, rounded drawings.
Ukraine’s Sunflowers, escape the invasion, 179 pages.
Wagner: The Secret History of Putin’s Mercenaries
This comic delves into the activities of the Wagner mercenary group. It depicts scenes from the Donbass region of Ukraine in the spring of 2022, where Ukrainian civilians are being killed. The narrative extends to the group’s operations in Africa, highlighting their methods: corruption, mercenary deployment, training of local forces, anti-Western propaganda, and resource exploitation. The story also touches on the Wagner group’s brief rebellion led by Prigogine. Despite Prigogine’s death, the Wagner group continues to operate, integrated into the Russian military, in Ukraine and Africa.
The comic traces the paths of Evgueni Prigogine, the financier of Wagner, and Dimitri Outkine, the group’s commander. It illustrates the Wagner group’s involvement in conflicts in Mali, the Central African republic, Libya, and Syria, detailing their looting and violence. The narrative also explores the shift in influence in africa.
The semi-realistic art style complements the committed nature of the comic.
Wagner – The secret history of Putin mercenaries, 173 pages.
What the Russians Think Of
This graphic novel documents the experiences of a designer who traveled to Saint Petersburg in the summer of 2022, shortly after the invasion of Ukraine began. Over two weeks,accompanied by an interpreter,the designer met with ordinary citizens,artists,political opponents,and soldiers to understand their perspectives on the war and the situation in their contry.
The graphic novel offers a glimpse into the diverse opinions and experiences of Russians during a time of conflict.
New Graphic Novel Explores Russian Perspectives Under putin
Following the release of “Kabul Disco,” which chronicled experiences with an NGO in Afghanistan after the American intervention, a new graphic novel offers a journey into Russia under Vladimir Putin’s leadership. The work depicts a nation divided, where citizens either support or endure the authoritarianism of its leaders.
The graphic report, rendered in black and white with occasional color accents, strives for neutrality, though the responses encountered are often unsettling.
The book,What do Russians think
,is 144 pages and costs 19 euros. It is published by Editions La Bois à Bulles.
Ukraine: Graphic Novels Offering Insights into War and History
Introduction
This article explores three graphic novels that provide unique perspectives on teh ongoing conflict and history of ukraine. These works blend personal narratives with historical context, offering readers a deeper understanding of the war, its effects, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people.
Graphic Novel Breakdown
Here are the books covered:
Ukraine’s Sunflowers: Escaping the Invasion: A personal account of a family’s experience during the Russian invasion.
Wagner: The Secret History of Putin’s Mercenaries: Explores the activities of the Wagner mercenary group.
What the Russians Think Of: Documents the experiences of a designer who traveled to Saint Petersburg after the invasion of Ukraine began.
ukraine: Little Story of a Long War with Russia from the Middle Ages to the Present Day: A historical perspective on Ukraine’s struggle for independence.
Ukraine’s Sunflowers: Personal Narrative of the Invasion
What is Ukraine’s Sunflowers about?
Ukraine’s Sunflowers: Escaping the Invasion tells the story of Lisa,a Ukrainian woman married to an Italian comic book designer. The narrative follows Lisa’s worries as military planes fill the sky, contrasting with the optimism of those around her. As the threat from Russia looms, the couple decides to relocate to Italy, with family members later joining them. The story portrays their experience of the invasion through the internet and strained phone calls. it highlights their determination to protect their world, language, and culture.
What is the art style of Ukraine’s Sunflowers?
The artwork features simple, rounded drawings.
How many pages is Ukraine’s Sunflowers?
Ukraine’s Sunflowers is 179 pages.
Wagner: The Secret History of Putin’s Mercenaries
What is Wagner: The Secret History of Putin’s Mercenaries about?
This graphic novel delves into the activities of the Wagner mercenary group. It depicts scenes from the Donbass region of Ukraine in the spring of 2022, where Ukrainian civilians are being killed. The narrative extends to the group’s operations in Africa, highlighting their methods: corruption, mercenary deployment, training of local forces, anti-Western propaganda, and resource exploitation. It also touches on the Wagner group’s brief rebellion led by Prigogine.
What is the art style of Wagner: The Secret History of Putin’s mercenaries?
The comic features a semi-realistic art style.
how many pages is Wagner: The Secret History of Putin’s Mercenaries?
Wagner – The secret history of putin mercenaries is 173 pages.
What the Russians Think Of: perspectives from saint Petersburg
what does What the Russians think Of explore?
This graphic novel documents the experiences of a designer who traveled to saint Petersburg in the summer of 2022. The designer met with ordinary citizens, artists, political opponents, and soldiers to understand their perspectives on the war and the situation in their country.
Ukraine: Little Story of a Long War
What is the meaning of Ukraine: Little Story of a Long War with Russia from the Middle Ages to the Present day?
This graphic novel provides historical context to the ongoing conflict. The story traces Ukraine’s history, from the birth and Christianization of Kyiv’s Rus’ to the present day. It highlights Russia’s historical attempts to control the territory. The book emphasizes the enduring desire of the Ukrainian people to preserve their language, culture, and independence.
What specific historical events are covered in Ukraine: Little Story of a Long War?
The narrative covers key historical events, including:
The birth and Christianization of Kyiv’s Rus’.
the elimination of Cossacks in the 18th century.
the suppression of the Ukrainian language in the 19th century.
The destruction of Ukrainian intellectual elites in the early 20th century.
* The Holodomor, a devastating famine orchestrated by the Communist regime in the early 1930s.
Summary table
| Graphic Novel Title | Subject Matter | Art Style | Page Count |
| :—————————————————— | :—————————————————————————————– | :—————– | :——— |
| Ukraine’s Sunflowers: Escaping the Invasion | Personal experience of a family fleeing the invasion. | Simple, rounded | 179 |
| Wagner: The Secret History of Putin’s Mercenaries | Activities of the Wagner mercenary group. | Semi-realistic | 173 |
| What the Russians Think Of | Perspectives of Russians on Politics after the invasion. | Not specified| 144 |
| Ukraine: Little Story of a Long War with Russia from the middle Ages to the Present Day | Ukrainian history and the struggle for independence. | Not specified | N/A |