Next month First Second Books will release Accidental Czar: The Life and Lies of Vladimir Putin. The new graphic novel biography comes from writer Andrew S. Weiss and artist Brian “Box” Brown. Ahead of the book’s release, The Beat is pleased to present an exclusive excerpt from the graphic novel, which digs into the image that Putin has created for himself around the world.
Here’s how First Second describes Accidental Czar:
In the West’s collective imagination, Vladimir Putin is a devious cartoon villain, constantly plotting and scheming to destroy his enemies around the globe and in Ukraine. But how did an undistinguished mid-level KGB officer become one of the most powerful leaders in Russian history? And how much of Putin’s tough-guy persona is a calculated performance?
Accidental Czar is the first graphic novel for writer Andrew S. Weiss, and the latest First Second release for Brian “Box” Brown. Brown’s previous non-fiction books include the Andy Kaufman biography Is This Guy For Real? and the video game history Tetris: The Games People Play.
Check out the exclusive excerpt below. Accidental Czar: The Life and Lies of Vladimir Putin is due out in stores and digitally on Tuesday, November 8th.