The comic: more than entertainment, a mirror of society
Over time, comics has evolved to become a form of art that not only entertains, but also reflects and challenges social dynamics. This artistic expression has witnessed the changes and conflicts that have marked history, addressing topics as diverse as racial inequality, human rights and political struggles. In this context, we present a selection of graphic novels that address these issues with a critical and committed look.
Prominent works that challenge the standard
PUTA WAR! of Jacques Tardi
Author Jacques Tardi, recognized for his work, exploring the wounds of French history, presents a fucking war!, A graphic chronicle that narrates the brutality of World War I. Through a powerful style, it illustrates how the working classes were sent to fight dehumanizing conditions, while the elites benefited from cannon meat. Its refused to receive honors from the state reflects a firm commitment to its ideals.
Herba de Keum Gendry-Kim
Grass transports us to one of the darkest episodes in the history of Japan and Korea. Through the story of Lee Ok-Sun, a survivor of sex slavery during Japanese occupation, Gendry-Kim uses visual resources to highlight the atrocities that are still silenced. The work not only explores personal trauma, but also the lack of recognition of these injustices in public discourse.
Black is black II: Ainhoa de Fermin Muguruza
With a rich transfer in historical and social context, Black Is Beltza II: Ainhoa tells the journey of a young woman who, immersed in a world full of violence and drug trafficking, challenges the established rules. Fermin Muguruza and his team create a narrative that is not only a physical journey, but also an examination of the connections between politics, identity and resistance.
Visual chronicles of contemporary conflicts
Kobane Calling de Zerocalcare
Zerocalcare offers us an intimate and humorous look at the Kurdish resistance against the Islamic State through Kobane Calling. His work combines elements of everyday life with the struggle for survival, creating a story that challenges stereotypes and presents a narrative rich in nuances about the power of the collective in times of war.
Joe Sacco’s Gaza War
Joe Sacco, one of the pioneers of graphic journalism, provides us with a shocking view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the Gaza War. Through a direct visual narrative, Sacco emphasizes the realities of a people under attack, emphasizing the international complicity in this humanitarian crisis. His work is an example of how comic can be a powerful tool for exposing injustice.
Personal narratives that reflect social struggles
Fun Home d’Alison Bechdel
Alison Bechdel offers us a deep exploration of the relationship with his father through Fun Home, a comic book that addresses issues such as sexual identity and repression. His ability to intertwine his own experience with family history creates an account that resonates with the struggle for acceptance and understanding.
Nadia Hafid’s bad smell
In bad smell, Nadia Hafid addresses racialization and job bullying through the story of a worker who becomes the white of accusations in a corporate environment. In a minimalist style, Hafid exposes the hypocrisy of business diversity, revealing how structural racism persists under the surface.
A look into the future of comics
These graphic novels are not only a reflection of the current world, but also serve as vehicles for social change. As we continue to explore the depths of graphic narrative, it is clear that comics will remain an essential means of communicating ideas and provoking critical reflection. The voices of artists such as Tardi, Gendry-Kim and Sacco are testimonies of the power of this form of art to challenge the status quo and inspire a new generation of thinkers and activists.