Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
French artist Nicolas Wild randomly applies for a job in Kabul when he is unable to pay his bills in Paris and ends up illustrating comics aimed at explaining democracy and the constitution to Afghanistan’s children. That was the focus of his first graphic novel memoir, Kabul Disco. In its sequel, titled Kabul Disco 2 (obviously), Nicolas Wild returns to Kabul with his team to work on a more ambitious project – educating Afghan adults about the dangers of opium consumption and production.
Based on Nicolas Wild’s real-life experiences, the artist makes Kabul Disco 2 an enjoyable and engaging read. The only reason this isn’t a 5-star read for me is that I’m still not the biggest fan of Wild’s simple doodle-style artwork. Compared to some of the more vibrantly illustrated graphic novels out there, the panels in Kabul Disco 2 feel like second drafts.
The sequel begins with a quick recap of Book 1, hilariously captioned as the “incomprehensible summary of Book 1,” followed by Wild’s return to Kabul and his job at the media company Zendagui. He and his team are tasked with a new communications campaign for the American embassy’s war against opium. Supposedly “super secret,” Wild humorously promises to keep the details confidential – and then proceeds to offer readers a front-row look at how the campaign was developed.
From hunting opium fields and partying with rival companies to escaping violent riots against expats, Nicolas Wild recounts an exciting stint in Kabul. Despite the dangers, he portrays the expat experience as cuttingly disconnected from the ground realities of local life. Wild wittily juxtaposes Kabul’s grim transformation with the insulated bubble that expats like him inhabit. One of the most memorable scenes for me in the graphic novel is when Wild and his colleagues are evacuated to an army camp for safety. While the streets of Kabul burn, the expats play cards, drink wine, and essentially enjoy an extended picnic at the camp. The ‘white-privilege’ stands out, but then again, what’s the point of being scared, and miserable, when you can drink and party?
If you’re curious about what life was like for expats in Afghanistan after the Taliban’s fall in the early 2000s, Kabul Disco is a highly entertaining read.
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