Tokyopop

This is a collection of short graphic stories that take place within the first five months of the Ukraine invasion. All the artists and all the authors are Ukrainian telling the stories as they or their friends and family have lived them. This compilation is fresh because each story is different, recognizable from the news. My favorite chapter is the one with the tractor. I remember the news telling of tractors pulling tanks, and in this you see the tractor as a character (similar to Cars movies) get really mad that these tanks are tearing up the land. Tractor is going to go get them. This is set up to be a book not only to share what’s going on but to help raise funds for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. For something that was put together in very little time it’s fantastic.… (meer)

The plight of the Ukrainian people in 2022 has been seen and felt across the world. Most humans sympathize with a country whom a rival invaded for doing nothing but existing. Generally, I have mixed feelings about war because it’s incredibly destructive towards universal human life, but the philosophical category of a just war surely exists for situations like these. The Ukrainian military needs to be supported to defend their right to exist. This short comic exists to trumpet the Ukrainian cause while establishing a national narrative.

This work is not quite a novel because it contains nine short stories instead of a central plot. Still, it teaches recently developing aspects of their war story, like the “ghost of Kyiv” who shot down multiple Russian warplanes in the early days of the conflict. Though clearly propaganda that depicts Russians as heartless and evil, this book can rally readers to the Ukrainian side in their struggle to exist.

I’m not sure this book will appeal much to the Russian people, who can (and should) stand up against their ruler. That would bring this crazy “adventure” to a quick resolution. But it addresses an audience that is not normally addressed by literature – an audience of comic readers. The drawings are of good quality, and I learned something from each story. The stories, though short, are entertaining as well. I was also interested in the short biographies of the authors at the end.

Wars quickly bring complex human situations into black-and-white, us-versus-them situations. The Ukrainian situation is no different. This book seeks to inform us of their struggles while keeping this conflict on the world radar. While reading the newspapers, I try to keep informed by the latest happenings, and I support the plight of the innocent refugees. I hope and pray for continued victories for the Ukrainian people and am grateful to support their cause in the small way of reading this collection.… (meer)

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”

I was surprised to see a comic book about the Russian invasion of Ukraine come out so quickly, and perhaps that speed explains some of the awkwardness in script and art. Some of the stories have either a fantasy element or a willingness to print the legend. In many ways it seems more like a Sgt. Rock treatment of the conflict rather than a nonfiction documentary take.

Regardless, it is a good cause. I hope the Ukrainians succeed in pushing the Russians out of their borders, and I'm happy that my government is supporting them with arms and other aid.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents:
• Victory for Ukraine: Letter from the Publisher / Stu Levy
• Cultural References from Ukraine
• Episode 1. The Ghost of Kyiv / Denys Fadieiev, writer; Oleksandr Koreshkov, artist
• Episode 2. The Witch / Denys Fadieiev, writer; Kateryna Kosheleva, artist
• Episode 3. Azovstal / Denys Fadieiev, writer; Yevhenii Tonchylov, artist
• Episode 4. Looters / Ruslan Samaryk, writer; Volodymyr Povoroznyk, artist
• Episode 5. Zmiinyi Island 13 / Denys Fadieiev, writer and dialogue; Viacheslav Buhaiov, dialogue; Ihor Kurilin, artist
• Episode 6. Throughout the Centuries / Denys Fadieiev, writer; Makysm Bohdanovskyi, artist
• Episode 7. Brave Little Tractor / Bohdana Vitkovska, writer; Bohdana Vitkovska, artist
• Episode 8. Cyber-Kherson / Denys Fadieiev, writer and dialogue; Viacheslav Buhaiov, dialogue; Nazar Ponik, artist; Ihor Kurilin, storyline/colors
• Episode 9. The Price of Victory / Denys Fadieiev, writer; Kyrylo Malov, artist
• Creators… (meer)