CIA: Operation Ajax

This is what a graphic novel should be on an iPad. Brilliantly executed. Don't know how accurate the story is historically, but it sure does explain the current Iranian's antagonism towards the West.

Totally crazy, dynamic experience. I spent the first two chapters just completely distracted by the zooming, swishing panels and figures, and getting all a-lather by the enriched, “add-on” stuff (little blinking stars showing you more information), the archival news footage, the background music, the sound effects, the craziness!

But once my brain and senses accustomed to this full-metal onslaught, I started to enjoy the story for its own sake. Based on a couple non-fic books, this graphic novel-cum-crazy tells the story of the 1953 Iranian coup, where Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh was ousted in a CIA-orchestrated scheme.

The true story is powerful, and this telling is an emotional roller coaster. It covers a lot of the same ground as Argo (jaded CIA agent running around Tehran riots, “Death to [insert your problem here]!” chants, etc.), but does it waaay better. This is a multifaceted, rich tale which leverages a multifaceted, rich medium - the iPad - to tell a story to its fullest. I learned LOADS, and I'm hungry for more.

On the meta level, this was just a really interesting, trailblazing experience. I didn't think it would work: how could they successfully bridge the reading with the cinematic experiences? Essentially, this is just a LOUD book. But once your ears are accustomed to it, the soundtrack really starts to add to it. Same with the buzzing, chanting, screeching sound effects. I also am so glad I read (watched? experienced?) this after reading Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics, as my brain was already abuzz with all the potentials of the comix medium - and this was just such a medium pusher. (I'm disappointed that McCloud hasn't commented on this specifically. Oh well!)