Graphic Narratives on Climate: A Modern Canon

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Humor or seriousness, uncensored essays or fictional tales, told in the third person, reveal how comic art uses every tool to engage with climate action. They illuminate the need to care for the planet, condemn harm to ecosystems, and warn not only about what lies ahead but what is already upon us. The realm of storytelling, news, and essays blends in bookstores, appealing to readers across different viewpoints and even to climate skeptics who may be persuaded by compelling evidence.

“Post-York”

The creator behind this post-apocalyptic dystopia is inspired by the son of the Eisner-nominated American cartoonist James Romberger. The story centers on a protagonist who bellows, “We don’t deserve this planet.” The narrative follows the melting polar regions, the journey of a lone cat, and the clashes with a malignant force and a privileged, indifferent elite. Freshly released, the work hints at three possible arcs for a story that may be closer to reality than it seems.

‘World without end’

Jean-Marc Jancovici, a renowned climatologist and communicator, collaborates with cartoonist Christophe Blain to present a provocative, image-led essay. The reader is invited to step into the shoes of Iron Man-like resilience as the book questions viable pathways to address the climate crisis. It challenges conventional reliance on wind and solar power while advocating for a recognised role for nuclear energy. The work has earned wide acclaim in France, selling over half a million copies and sparking debate about energy strategy and sustainability.

‘We are the meteorite’

Dario Adanti, an astute Argentine cartoonist based in Spain, offers a sharp, first-person examination of climate change laced with humor. He candidly confesses, “We have a problem,” and traces how human activity has imperiled the planet and countless species. The narrative references enduring scientific warnings, including early signals about CO2 and warming from Eunice Foote in 1856, underscoring that the future is already unfolding. The work invites readers to confront denial and to consider evidence with an attentive, hopeful eye.

‘Green algae’

On the Brittany coast, three people and forty animals have fallen victim to green algae blooms driven by nitrate runoff from intensive farming and livestock production. The toxic decomposition that follows threatens both people and ecosystems. This investigative graphic work exposes hidden dangers within modern agricultural systems and echoes similar crises elsewhere, such as the Mar Menor, highlighting ongoing battles over environmental health. The publication has exceeded one hundred twenty thousand copies sold in France.

Mortadelo and Filemón. ‘Climate change’

In a blend of Bermuda and Santa Claus fantasies on a surfboard, with cars outrunning storms and farmers guiding fields with donkey-drawn umbrellas, Mortadelo and Filemón tackle climate disaster. The legendary duo’s wild humor, crafted by maestro Francisco Ibáñez, is leveraged to spotlight sea-level volatility and the disruptive power of hurricanes. The album, released over a year ago, features Professor Bacterio enlisted to investigate climate anomalies plaguing towns.

‘Climate change’

Philippe Squarzoni’s six-year, interview-driven graphic essay compiles insights from researchers and scientists. Narrated in the first person, the work documents the human impact on climate and invites readers to rethink consumption patterns and fossil-fuel dependence. The piece earned the Lyon Comics Festival Grand Prize and continues to be used as a reference point for understanding the social and ecological stakes of climate policy.

Don’t disappear. twilight of the genre

On an imagined Arctic island, two journalists and a team of scientists chronicle the effects of climate change—from species extinction to plastic pollution and deforestation. The narrative becomes a call for collective consciousness, urging readers to consider concrete actions they can take to avert disaster. The work features oceanography experts and authors known for their thoughtful, investigative storytelling and remains a touchstone in environmental graphic literature.

‘Countdown’

Two decades after Europe witnessed one of its gravest marine ecological disasters, this account revisits the aftermath of the Prestige spill. Through fictional characters, it examines political, media, and public responses, exposing mismanagement and the human costs borne by sailors, volunteers, and coastal communities. The work also includes a foreword by a noted novelist and an afterword by a respected cartoonist, enriching the historical and ethical conversation around environmental crises and response efforts.

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