Pride of Baghdad: The 20th Anniversary
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Niko Henrichon
Arriving: September 23, 2026
Cover price: $24.99
The New York Times bestselling, award winning creative team Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, We Stand on Guard, Paper Girls ) and Niko Henrichon (Spectators ) will bring their beloved, contemporary classic, Pride of Baghdad back to shelves through Image Comics this September. This modern masterpiece celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with a new hardcover edition featuring lavishly hand-painted new cover art by Henrichon, on a gorgeous wraparound dust jacket, and will include never-before-seen extras as well as a new afterword by Vaughan.
There will also be a Direct Market Exclusive cover, available only at local comic shops, featuring the original first edition’s cover art.
Pride of Baghdad took the industry by storm when it was first published under the DC Vertigo banner in September 2006 and shortly thereafter gained spots on ALA’s “Great Graphic Novels for Teens: Top Ten” list, Booklist “Editors’ Choice: Adult Books for Young Adults” list, and was dubbed “Best Original Graphic Novel” of the year by IGN .
“Twenty years later, I’m as proud of this book as I am depressed by how relevant it remains,” said Vaughan. “Despite the harrowing subject matter, it was a pleasure to revisit the beautiful work of my collaborators: legendary letterer Todd Klein and astonishing artist/co-creator Niko Henrichon. We’re grateful to everyone at Image Comics for bringing this lovely new edition to life, and to all the readers who requested it, especially you cool English teachers who’ve shared our graphic novel with your students over the last two decades.”
Inspired by true events, Pride of Baghdad is a provocative, visually spectacular graphic novel that follows four lions who escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during the American invasion of Iraq.
Pride of Baghdad is a story layered with themes that still resonate in today’s politically uncertain, war-torn reality. Loss of innocence, the value of independence and freedom over safety and control, and the globally shifting perspectives on authority sit squarely at the center of this unforgettable story of bravery and survival.
“When I first read Pride of Baghdad 20 years ago, I was both moved by the story and impressed by Brian’s and Nikos’s extraordinary talents,” said Eric Stephenson, Publisher and Chief Creative Officer at Image Comics. “Imagine now the honor of re-presenting this towering achievement for a whole new audience. Absolutely essential in every respect.”
