As the war in Ukraine rages on, it is becoming increasingly difficult for journalists to report the truth as it is either ruthlessly suppressed or distorted to the point that they must sift and analyze what is true and what is not. A journalist named Gareth Jones traveled to the USSR in the 1930s and reported, based on eyewitness testimony, on the man-made famine known as the Holodomor that killed millions of Ukrainians in Soviet-era Ukraine.
Jones was subsequently exiled from the Soviet Union for his reporting and murdered two years later. His story and his journey to uncover the truth are depicted in the graphic novel “In Stalin’s Shadow: The Story of Mr. Jones,” written by Andrea Chalupa, illustrated by Iván Rodriguez, and published by Oni Press.
Chalupa wrote and co-produced the 2019 film “Mister Jones,” which follows Jones as he uncovers the truth about the Holodomor. “Mister Jones” won the Grand Prix Golden Lion at the 44th Gdynia Film Festival.
Read the synopsis of the historical thriller, “Stalin’s Shadow: The Story of Mr. Jones” below:
In the early 1930s, Gareth Jones is a young journalist with strong connections, having completed a groundbreaking interview with Adolf Hitler and his propaganda chief, Joseph Goebbels. This notoriety earns him permission to travel to the USSR and interview Joseph Stalin. Hoping to learn more about the Soviet Union’s massive economic interests, Jones is thwarted and trapped in Moscow. While searching for a way out, he meets new allies who warn him about the growing government-led artificial famine in Ukraine – the Holodomor. Seeking the truth in all its ugliness, Jones embarks on a journey of discovery, conflict and the cover-up of the deaths of millions. Can the relentless power of truth expose one of Stalin’s greatest crimes to a world that refuses to bear witness?
“The timing of this book’s publication couldn’t be better given what has been happening in Ukraine over the past year or so. Gareth Jones’ story, and the warnings he sounded in his writings and reporting, appear to have been given only tentative heed,” said Chris Selasi, editor-in-chief of Oni Press.
“As a result, we seem destined to repeat history, which is why I couldn’t be more pleased to be publishing this book now, with the hope of spreading Gareth Jones’ message even further and reminding humanity of the consequences of turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the suffering of others.”
Oni Press has shared a set of preview pages, which you can view below.
“Stalin’s Shadow: The Story of Mr. Jones” will be in stores from September 4th.
Source: Oni Press
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