Pride of Baghdad, the seminal classic from Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichson, is heading back to comic stores. Twenty years after it first released through DC’s Vertigo imprint, the title is being brought back to print with a special hardcover collection by Image Comics.
This time around, Image is releasing the entire graphic novel in two new covers with never-before-seen backing material and a new afterword by Vaughan.
“Twenty years later, I’m as proud of this book as I am depressed by how relevant it remains,” Vaughan said of the comic. “Despite the harrowing subject matter, it was a pleasure to revisit the beautiful work of my collaborators: legendary letterer Todd Klein and astonishing artist/co-creator Niko Henrichon. We’re grateful to everyone at Image Comics for bringing this lovely new edition to life, and to all the readers who requested it, especially you cool English teachers who’ve shared our graphic novel with your students over the last two decades.”
The primary cover features painted art by Henrichson, while a direct market version available exclusively at comic shops will feature a printing of the original printing’s first edition cover.
The series is a fictional take rooted in a true story. After the United States’ invasion of Iraq in 2003, four lions escaped from the Baghdad Zoo. The fictionalized version gives each lion the ability to talk as the story progresses.
“When I first read Pride of Baghdad 20 years ago, I was both moved by the story and impressed by Brian’s and Nikos’s extraordinary talents,” said Eric Stephenson, Publisher and Chief Creative Officer at Image Comics. “Imagine now the honor of re-presenting this towering achievement for a whole new audience. Absolutely essential in every respect.”
Pride of Baghdad: The 20th Anniversary Edition will be available at your local comic store starting September 23 before being released wherever books are sold on October 20th.
