Illustrations

Every once in a while, an extraordinary comic appears. A comic that goes straight to the heart, one that goes far beyond the boundaries of its genre. A comic with a message, a comic with a story, a comic full of emotion. And this is exactly that kind of comic — difficult and beautiful. [...] If you ever wanted to discover this literary medium, there may never be a better opportunity. [...] The images (it’s hard to call them mere drawings) are kept in subdued tones. Absolutely no garishness — browns, beiges, black and white, striped uniforms, and snow. These illustrations are incredible, drawn quite differently than what we usually see in comics, with sensitivity, a certain delicacy, yet also with remarkable scope.

“Bread of Freedom” is a gem among works that often stray from historical truth, replacing it with cheap sensationalism meant to fool naive readers. [...] The author has shown incredible sensitivity and insight, without which telling stories about life in the camps would be almost impossible.

The composition of the comic, usually divided into panels and frames, breaks away from cliché.

It’s clear that the author’s intention is to provoke reflection, not overwhelm the reader with dreadful details.

In his story about Siberia, Piechnik has woven in giant mechs that represent both invaders and allies. He did it in such a thoughtful way that it feels completely natural. It seems perfectly normal that these robots are there. As a result, the comic gained not only dynamism but also accessibility for today’s youth, surrounded by such motifs. “Siberia. My Story” is undoubtedly a comic worth recommending. The shocking testimony of a deportation witness combines realism with fascinating and dynamic storytelling, all enhanced by moving artwork of truly outstanding quality.