The Bunker – News without the nonsense Line of Duty – How comics journalist Joe Sacco brings untold stories to life
Nov 19, 2025
Joe Sacco, a pioneering comics journalist known for his groundbreaking works like Palestine, dives into the untold stories of conflict in Uttar Pradesh, India. He shares his unique approach to field reporting, blending art and narrative to capture human complexity. Sacco discusses the emotional toll of comics journalism and the role of women as symbols in communal strife. He also debates the impact of AI on creativity, illustrating how his work humanizes often-overlooked narratives, and reflects on his responsibilities as a storyteller.
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Local Stories Reveal Universal Patterns
- Sacco studies local narratives to contrast them with a closer approximation of the truth.
- He finds obscure places reveal universal truths about human nature and politics.
Record And Note During Interpreted Interviews
- When reporting with interpreters, record conversations or take photographs for accurate reference.
- Use pauses during interpretation to capture notes instead of trying to sketch simultaneously.
Visuals Make Complex Stories Memorable
- Illustration captures nonverbal cues and cements characters in readers' memory more effectively than prose alone.
- Faces and visuals help readers track many characters across a long narrative.
