Three years ago, the first volume of the Worried Istanbul newspaper, by Ersin Karabulut. This Turkish comic book author recounted his journey, from the deprived suburbs of the capital to the lively Beyoglu district where he joined the editorial staff of the popular magazine Penguin after studying at the Beaux-Arts.
Volume 2 of his comic autobiography has just been released. It is dedicated to the adventure of the satirical weekly Sleepless (Insomniac) which he launched with five designer friends in 2007. A dazzling success after several sleepless nights finding budget, subjects, authors and printer.
Istanbul Concerned Journal. Dargaud
In exile since 2017
But over the rise of religion and the authoritarianism of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, the drawings have become more political, the criticisms more serious. The newspaper’s support for Charlie Hebdo after the 2015 attacks in Paris, he gained more than just friends and the hours of insomnia became more anxious. To the point, for the overworked author, that he had to go into exile in 2017, in order to gain perspective.
Istanbul Concerned Journal. Dargaud
Karabulut portrays himself with touching honesty in this album with warm colors and realistic settings. His character with the big eyes of a child sometimes sweats profusely while practicing his profession as a caricaturist in a country, he recalls, where “until recently there was a 150-year-old tradition of humor magazines” . He nevertheless wants to be full of hope to return to defend freedom of expression in pencil, in a volume 3 already announced.
Istanbul Worried NewspaperDargaud, 184 pages, 25 €.
