One thing the increased attention from the New York Times article has done for us is blow open the global internet. Where once we were spoken about almost exclusively on comic book websites and related blogs, now we are coming to the notice of a new kind of reader, one far more educated on the issues this book bats around with. Honestly, this was the scariest thing about the increased exposure. If anybody was going to call bullshit on what we’ve done here, it was going to be these people. But instead we were met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Here’s just a sampling of what some of our new audience is saying about us…
Ugandan Insomniac
She’s a Kampala woman who defines herself as…
“a 30-something journalist, writer and quack psychoanalyst (un)successfully pondering the complexities of herself, her people, her country and her world.”
Her review of Unknown Soldier is here. and includes such gems as…
“Alberto Ponticelli’s art is moving. For a native of Kampala, I felt his street scenes were a good depiction of the only life I know.“
&
“Ignorance of what exactly the war in Northern Uganda meant for millions who suffered under it is extremely high in the rest of this country. For many people living south of the Karuma Falls, it was too far removed from their peaceful reality to comprehend. Misunderstanding is highest among youth under 25 living outside of the affected region. Many of them are unaware of the future repercussions of growing up with a generation of people that were subjected – and for the most part, abandoned to – a life at the brink of the abyss. It excites me that Unknown Soldier is that it will, perhaps, bring the story of the north to an entirely new generation.“
Already I’m using her blog as a resource for future work on the book.
Africa Is A Country
Africa Is A Country is a phenomenal blog about African politics and the continent’s place in the world. I can’t recommend it more highly.
The bloggers coverage of the New York Times article on Unknown Soldier is here.
CHRIS BLATTMAN
“An Assistant Professor of Political Science and Economics at Yale” who studies “poverty alleviation, political participation, the causes and consequences of violence, and public policy in developing countries.”
His blog is fantastic and he’s also given us one of our most prized reviews of Unknown Soldier.
“My first reaction: This is patently absurd. Northern Uganda can simply not get any more kitsch. Second reaction: Better not jump to conclusions. To the comic book store. Third reaction: Whoa. This is simply outstanding.“
and…
“Tasteful. Thoughtful. Compelling. Gripping. Historically accurate (well, mostly–I mean this is a comic book). Writer Joshua Dysart has done leaps and bounds better then virtually every journalist (and a fair number of researchers) that I know.“
Please support these bloggers! And if you know of any other blogs of this caliber and with similar concerns please don’t hesitate to post them in the comments section.
