Head of State of a country at war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is omnipresent in the media.
He expresses himself in all directions to his fellow citizens, to the parliament of the European Union, to that of France, to the American Congress, to Cannes festival-goers and even to the Grammy Awards.
The word of the politician is now also available in the bubbles and boxes of a graphic novel.
To discover
Discover the “Best of the Goncourt Prize” collection
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: 1,730 Ukrainian soldiers from Azovstal have surrendered since Monday, according to the Kremlin
Released on Wednesday, a 22-page biographical comic about the president of Ukraine is published by independent American publisher TidalWave Comics.
Titled
Political Power: Volodymyr Zelensky
, the comic was written by Michael Frizell and drawn by Pablo Martinena, two recurring contributors to the publishing house.
The story traces the journey of Volodymyr Zelensky, from the theatrical boards trodden in the costume of Napoleon to the first days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine - and the video intervention of the president from the streets of the partially besieged capital.
Going through the history of his family, devastated during the Second World War.
Part of the proceeds from the graphic novel dedicated to the Ukrainian president will be passed on to the Red Cross, the American publisher said.
TidalWave Comics
"With the publisher, we wanted to focus on the man as he is, beyond what the media are holding back at the moment in relation to Ukraine's war with Russia and the opposition between Zelensky and
Putin
,
Michael Frizell said in a statement.
Who is he ?
What makes it vibrate?
Why is he the right leader for Ukraine right now?
These are the questions that caught my attention when I began my research.
Read alsoPianist Valentina Lisitsa plays in the ruins of Mariupol, “liberated” by the Russians
Support Ukraine
Darren G. Davis, head of TidalWave Comics, makes no secret of the publication's pro-Ukrainian tone and approach.
"This comic means a lot to me because of my Ukrainian origins
," he said.
I wanted to not only tell a story, but also make myself useful to the cause.
And so much the better if Volodymyr Zelensky has a fascinating story.”
According to the publisher, part of the proceeds from this graphic novel will be donated to the fund of the International Committee of the Red Cross for the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis.
Read alsoRefugees in France, Ukrainian artists do not rest
TidalWave Comics has a long history of producing a line of biographical graphic novels focusing on diverse personalities.
Among the latest releases are comic books devoted to American rapper Lil Nas X, and former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.
The Political Power collection, which includes the biography of Volodymyr Zelensky, is particularly interested in the lives and careers of political figures.
Many titles have already appeared under this banner, including benevolent biographies of US President Joe Biden and that of US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former candidate for the 2020 Democratic primaries.
The Zelensky comic joins the publisher's small number of graphic novels devoted to foreign leaders.
It includes biographies of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former South African President Nelson Mandela.
It is not certain that the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, is also entitled to the same treatment.
