December 2023 MBR The Graphic Novel Shelf

The Graphic Novel Shelf

Erdogan: A Graphic Biography
Can Dundar, author
Anwar, illustrator
L.L. Kreider, translator
Arsenal Pulp Press
www.arsenalpulp.com
9781551529219, $24.95, PB, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Erdo%C4%9Fan-Graphic-Biography-Turkeys-Autocrat/dp/1551529211

Synopsis: One of the world's most divisive and controversial leaders, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ruled over Turkey as either prime minister or president since 2003. "Erdogan: A Graphic Biography: The Rise of Turkey's Modern Autocrat" by Can Dundar is a graphic biography that sheds light on the origins of Turkey's most powerful man, from his youth as a budding soccer player to his years spent navigating Turkey's political landscape, including the founding of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001.

Situated at the crossroads between Europe and Asia with a population of 84 million, Turkey is a growing economic powerhouse with a geopolitically strategic location. As its leader, the Islamic, conservative Erdogan has had a polarizing effect on the country's populace; some applaud his economic and political reforms, while others decry his autocratic, iron-fisted rule which has included the jailing of opponents, the crushing of free speech and the rights of LGBTQ+ people and others, and an ongoing war waged against the country's Kurdish minority.

Critique: Exceptionally well written and featuring compelling illustrations by Egyptian-Sudanese comic artist Anwar, and ably translated into English by L.L. Kreider, "Erdogan: A Graphic Biography: The Rise of Turkey's Modern Autocrat" provides a critical and dramatic context for understanding Erdogan's convictions and contradictions as a demagogue for whom democracy has been merely a means to power. Also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99), "Erdogan: A Graphic Biography: The Rise of Turkey's Modern Autocrat" is a highly recommended pick for both community and college/university library Contemporary Biography collections.

Editorial Note: Author Can Dundar, a Turkish journalist and contributor to the Washington Post now living in exile in Germany, spent several years researching "Erdogan: A Graphic Biography: The Rise of Turkey's Modern Autocrat".

I'm Giving the Disgraced Noble Lady I Rescued a Crash Course in Naughtiness 1
Story by Fukada Sametarou
Art by Ichiho Katsura
Translated by Jan Cash
Kodansha
www.kodansha.com
9781647292799, $12.95 pbk / $10.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Disgraced-Rescued-Course-Naughtiness-ebook/dp/B0BXNKDJ14

Synopsis: Allen, a powerful sorcerer feared as the "Demon Lord" by all in town, wants nothing more than to enjoy his solitary existence deep in the forest - that is, until the day he discovers a young woman lying unconscious in his neck of the woods and saves her from a band of knights. He soon learns the girl, Charlotte, once betrothed to the prince of the neighboring kingdom, was framed by her fianc for vicious crimes and forced to flee her home. Moved by her pitiful plight, Allen stakes his own life on a promise: to give Charlotte a crash course in all that is naughty, and make her the happiest woman in the world!

Critique: I'm Giving the Disgraced Noble Lady I Rescued a Crash Course in Naughtiness: I'll Spoil Her with Delicacies and Style to Make Her the Happiest Woman in the World 1 begins a lightly suggestive manga (Japanese graphic novel) series. The black-and-white artwork (read right-to-left in the style of the original manga) and superb English translation bring to life the tale of a powerful, reclusive sorcerer named Allen, who rescues a young noblewoman named Charlotte. When Allen learns that Charlotte has been unjustly framed, he resolves to take her in - and promises to give her a "crash course" in all that is "naughty"! (Despite occasional slightly lewd moments, this fantasy-romance-comedy-drama is not explicit, and is suitable for both teen and adult readers.) A deft balance of humor, heartthrob emotion, and serious moments as well as playful antics, I'm Giving the Disgraced Noble Lady I Rescued a Crash Course in Naughtiness 1 is a delightful read from cover to cover, enhanced with a very short bonus text story by the author. It should be noted for personal reading lists that I'm Giving the Disgraced Noble Lady I Rescued a Crash Course in Naughtiness 1 is also available in a Kindle edition ($10.99).

40 Men and 12 Rifles: Indochina 1954
Marcelino Truong, author
David Hornel, translator
Arsenal Pulp Press
www.arsenalpulp.com
9781551529233, $29.95, PB, 295pp

https://www.amazon.com/40-Men-12-Rifles-Indochina/dp/1551529238

Synopsis: "40 Men and 12 Rifles: Indochina 1954" is an expansive and gripping graphic novel set in Indochina in the year leading up to 1954, when the French-held garrison at Dien Bien Phu fell after a fifty-five-day battle, which lead to the end of the first Indochina war opposing both French and Nationalist Vietnamese forces to Ho Chi Minh's National-Communist underground state.

Minh (no relation to Ho) is a young man from Hanoi, an aspiring painter who dreams of experiencing la vie de boheme in Paris's Latin Quarter. To dissuade him from pursuing an artistic life, his father sends him into the countryside to tend to the family holdings. He is soon pressed into serving with the Ho Chi Minh People's Army, where he becomes a soldier, and is co-opted by his leaders to the Communist propaganda machine, despite repeatedly defying his cadres (ideological Communist commanders with whom he disagrees) becoming both hero and anti-hero in the process.

"40 Men and 12 Rifles: Indochina 1954" is a moving and beautifully illustrated book about the human and artistic spirit of the Indochinese people, who persevered in the face of warfare and suffering.

Critique: With the publication of "40 Men and 12 Rifles: Indochina 1954" by Arsenal Pulp Press, and ably translated into English by David Homel, author, storyteller and artist Marcelino Truong follows his original graphic novel style memoir "Such a Lovely Little War". Once again we are treated to an absolutely fascinating, thought-provoking, and memorable read from start to finish -- making "40 Men and 12 Rifles: Indochina 1954" yet another highly recommended acquisition for community and college/university library Graphic Novel collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "40 Men and 12 Rifles: Indochina 1954" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) as well.

Editorial Note: There is an informative interview with Marcelino Truong by Hilli Levin on-line at https://www.bookpage.com/interviews/21792-marcelino-truong-biography-memoir

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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Midwest Book Review