CHAOS IN KINSHASA

101pp., 4to., colour illus., paperback, Catalyst Press, No Place, 2024

ISBN: 9781946395986

Originally published in 2016 in French as Chaos Debout À Kinshasa. Translated into English by Ivanka Hahnenberger and Elowyn Castle.

Graphic novel.

When Ernest, a gangster from Harlem, wins tickets to travel to Zaire to attend the “Rumble in the Jungle,” the fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, he ends up involved in an Angolan coup against the country’s President Mobutu Sese Seko.

"This is no typical sports story. Through a sharp and insightful lens, Bellefroid and Baruti explore how the Cold War’s shadow loomed large over the fight, turning it into a global political chess match, with Zaire’s dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko, at the heart of the drama ... Baruti’s vivid and detailed illustrations bring this high-stakes drama to life, perfectly capturing the intensity of the moment and the tension of the Cold War backdrop. The artwork and storytelling mesh seamlessly, giving the reader not only a historical thriller but also a visual feast ... Chaos in Kinshasa is a must-read for both sports enthusiasts and thriller aficionados alike, offering a compelling blend of history, politics, and human drama. It’s a remarkable testament to the intersection of sports and global politics, told through the rich and immersive lens of a graphic novel." Didier Gondola, African Access Review

Thierry Bellefroid works for the Belgian television company, RTBF, where he presents the weekly literary magazine Sous Couverture.

Congolese comic creator Barly Maruti is co-founder of the Atelier de Création et de l’Initiation à l’Art to encourage talented youth in Kinshasa.