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Portland comic artist Joe Sacco has gained international attention for his graphic novels about war. He has documented his many travels to battle-torn parts of the world, including Palestine and Bosnia, illustrating the conflicts and the lives of people affected.
His work is distinctive not only for for its medium, but also for his particular brand of war reportage. Sacco's books are considerably more subjective than much traditional war reporting: he draws himself in his stories, adds his opinion about the war and his sources, and details his frustrations and fears. He also often covers incidents that took place years ago and have largely fallen from the focus of the traditional media. In his latest work, Footnotes In Gaza, Sacco explores two 50-year-old incidents in Gazan towns that resonate to this day.
We'll be talking with Joe Sacco and with others to explore the ethics and challenges of the job.
Is is possible to stay objective in a war zone? Or in a conflict that involves your home country?
Is a journalist's primary obligation to be an objective chronicler of a war — however that is achieved — or should she focus on promoting peace, or seeking justice, or some other principle?
What kinds of war stories do you seek out? And how best do you think you can understand what's happening in a war zone?
Tagged as: journalism · war
Photo credit: Metropolitan Books
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Sacco's work has been important to me. I've spent short periods in Palestine and in ex-Yugoslavia, and when I found Sacco's work after those trips, I was so glad that someone was showing what it's like to try to get around, to make a phone call, to meet with someone, to get food, in the middle of a war zone or occupied land. The first person perspective is essential, and tells the story in a truer way than is possible with attempted "objective" reporting. Thanks, Joe.
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The question that Joe Sacco's work naturally invites is "Is it the truth?"
After spending time spellbound by his books, if this material is an accurate portrayal of events they are powerful documents. Another simplified form of history.
I have always felt that Bill Mauldin's Willie and Joe WWII cartoons held more weight than many other types of remebrance of Europe in WWII. Same with Mr. Sacco's work.
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One cannot address this subject without referencing "Waltz with Bashir" an animated film about the Israeli experience in Lebanon in 1982. A thoughtful, probing examination, an "animated documentary" told in first person, about the experience of a unit of the Israeli army, in Beirut. One of the best war movies ever made, and one of the best (adult) animated films ever made.
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Joe Sacco has always intrigued me. After I read Gorajda (?) and Palestine I wanted more. I think that graphic novels and journalism, history are very effective.
I love the humanity in Sacco's work. I can really experience with the people. Like Waltz with Bashir, these forms of communication and media are so very touching and personal.
The patience you must have to spend so much time on your drawings, dang! props to you. Keep up the good work. I love to read your stuff!
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It's ironic, the edgy comic artist, 'keeping it real' in Gaza, uncovering the real plight of the authentic victims---what a luxury. Mr. Sacco's books, don't help one understand much of anything, that can't be found quickly elsewhere. I have nothing against comics per se, but, generally they are not used to make things more clear, to provide a visual explanation to make the meaning explicit, or to explain things that can't be explained with words alone. It is awfully trite that so many try to elevate comics to a new, ever more serious medium. Then of course, many critics buy into it, because they don't want to miss the cool-boat, or be labeled 'dinosaur.' In many ways the addition of words to the graphic don't add meaning, but rather abstract meaning, they make things less clear---the graphics are a kind of superficial clutter. I am sure someone could potentially do the graphic or the comic well---where the words and the visuals could truly be used to enhance the meaning---in a way that could not exist through words or graphics alone, but Mr. Sacco is not that person. And, I have not yet come across that work. Comics are unfortunately, and perhaps inherently, generally, not a medium of function.
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I am a huge Joe Sacco fan. I work for Mercy Corps here in Portland and I have lived and worked in the places he covers. No one - and I mean no one -- has told the story of Bosnia in a more compelling way. Safe Area Gorazde is the best book on Bosnia - period. I think his medium makes a huge contribution to the public's understanding of these complex conflicts.
Jeremy
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I think his medium makes a huge contribution to the public's understanding of these complex conflicts.
Low Glycemic Foods
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This is being a very interesting show.
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I grew up in the Portland area, and had never heard about anything going on in the middle east, until one day, when I was about 20 years old, I saw the documentary called "Promises" (and the sequel) on OPB and it totally opened my eyes. That was a big turning point for me.
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What an airhead.
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Make it as graphic as possible, show the blood, the gore, the pain, the anger, the fear and the smell if you can.
Don't downplay it, don't look for controversy, political angles or focus only on the heroic. Make it crystal clear to the people waving goodbye exactly what awaits their loved ones.
As a friend of my family, a Russian front survivor, graphically explained to me when I was growing up... anyone who has ever fully experienced it will never want to again. Teach us.
Lastly, my personal note of gratitude to those who were called and went... Thank you!