The work is intentional and deliberate. It is not merely entertainment but a narrative about human hardship. The author explains the project began as a tribute to his great-uncle Miguel, a front-line fighter in the Spanish Civil War whose units moved across multiple battlefronts. One day a group of comrades gathered, sharing two glasses of wine or coffee liqueur, and that moment of camaraderie became a spark that helped to plan the chronicle. Of five friends, two did not return. The author started with loose anecdotes and gradually added testimonies, weaving in topics such as international aid, repression, aftershocks, bombings, and hunger. The result is a dynamic, evolving portrait of the conflict.
In this vision, Swedish-Norwegian humanitarian aid supports the establishment of a hospital in Alcoy. The narrative follows Stanbrook as he marched with the last Republican exiles from Alicante to Oran. The narrative also explores factory socialization as a recurring theme, including the search for the author’s grandfather’s battalion and a family member who did not fight but worked in a socialized industry. The exploration continues with the shift from private ownership to collective ownership and its implications.
Although the setting is partly Alcoy, the story carries weight beyond one city. It is a universal story: a tale that could unfold in any place and at any time. The author notes that the exact location matters less than the broader human experience. There is a contemporary resonance, with parallels to the current displacement of civilians in Eastern Europe as conflicts erupt and people seek safety, underscoring the timeless relevance of these events.
Across the pages, the author returns to a central idea: every narrative of conflict centers on the people who suffer. The voices are ordinary yet powerful, capturing the pain of those who become entangled in wars fought by leaders who rarely understand the cost. The author argues that comics offer an accessible way to tell such stories, providing a lighter entry point into deeply serious subjects while still conveying glimpses of solidarity and, at times, humor.
The book includes twelve additional pages offering deeper context: two articles expanding on the described events, a firsthand account from the Civil War era, a photo gallery that brings time and place to life, and an epilogue that outlines the author’s creative process and choices throughout the project.
The creation of The War We Lived took more than three years while the author contributed to other design and illustration projects. A second, collaborative project is in development with a partner, a four-handed novel that traces a historical moment in Alcoy and an oil revolution. This forthcoming work aims to celebrate a milestone related to Alcoy and its cultural history, with anticipation of its completion in time for the city’s July anniversary.