Pride of Baghdad

Pride of Baghdad
Cover to Pride of Baghdad
Publication information
Publisher	Vertigo
Publication date	September 13, 2006
Creative team
Written by	Brian K. Vaughan
Artist(s)	Niko Henrichon
Letterer(s)	Todd Klein
Editor(s)	Will Dennis Casey Seijas

Pride of Baghdad is a graphic novel written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Niko Henrichon released by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint on September 13, 2006. The story is a fictionalized account of the true story of four African lions that escaped from the Baghdad Zoo after an American bombing in 2003. The book won the IGN award for best original graphic novel in 2006.

Plot

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 desperate struggle for their lives. In documenting the plight of the lions, Pride of Baghdad functions as a modern day fable.

The Pride of Lions each come to represent different anthropomorphized ideologies and struggles. The groups of animals, the environment they are surrounded by, as well as the few humans they meet all have a profound impact on the four lions as they search for freedom, fight for their lives, and discover the cost of liberty.

Characters

Main characters

• Zill, the alpha male (and only adult male) of the pride. Though usually mild-mannered, he will show signs of aggression and proves to be a competent fighter.
• Safa, an old lioness who is blind in one eye and has a torn ear; she has become accustomed to captivity and views the human advantage of their new freedom. It is implied that she once used to be Zill's mate.
• Noor, a younger lioness, mother to Ali; she longs for freedom from the zoo. She and Safa rarely agree, and they often fight verbally. Zill's current mate.
• Ali, Noor's innocent young cub.

Secondary characters

• Bukk, a lion from Safa's past.
• An unnamed sea turtle who speaks with Safa and Ali about the past.
• Fajer, a blood-thirsty bear who challenges the group.
• Rashid, a tortured lion close to his death.

Reception

IGN named Pride of Baghdad the Best Original Graphic Novel of 2006, calling it a "modern classic", and commenting that the book "can be enjoyed on several levels. Those wanting a 'simple' tale of survival and family will find that. Those wanting a powerful, gripping analogy of war will find that as well. Writer Brian K. Vaughan was also careful to avoid pinpointing any one particular viewpoint - each lion represents a different attitude, which is refreshing since many books do not allow that choice. Featuring stunning artwork by Niko Henrichon, there is no way any comic book reader should pass up this graphic novel."

External links

• Official MySpace page for Pride of Baghdad
• A visual step-by-step from Niko Henrichon, the book's artist
• Brian K. Vaughan's Roaring Pride, Publishers Weekly, June 20, 2006.
• BBC News US troops kill Baghdad lions
• "CNN" Baghdad Zoo: A different battle
• The Joy of Pride: Vaughan Talks Pride of Baghdad, Comic Book Resources