Spanish comic artist Carlos Giménez will have his series 36-39: Malos Tiempos published in a single volume by Reservoir Books on September 3.
The new integral edition marks the first time the four-part graphic series on the Spanish Civil War has been collected into a single book. The individual albums were originally published independently between 2007 and 2008.
The collection brings together the four original titles: Malos Tiempos: Los Desastres de la Guerra, Sin Pan, Sin Pan: Los Estragos del Hambre, Arde Madrid, and El Tiempo de los Asesinos.
Daily life during the Spanish Civil War
Rather than depicting major military battles, the comic series focuses on vignettes of daily life during the Spanish Civil War. The conflict was fought between Republican forces and Nationalist rebels led by General Francisco Franco between 1936 and 1939.
In a press release issued by Reservoir Books, Giménez said he made tremendous efforts to remain objective in his portrayal of the war, describing it as a conflict between fascists and democrats.
The author added that while he strived for objectivity, no one should ask him to be neutral towards fascism.
National honours and career legacy
Last June, the Spanish government awarded Carlos Giménez Giménez the Grand Cross of the Order of Alfonso X the Wise. The award recognized his long creative career, stating that it places him among the most prominent figures in contemporary Spanish comics.
Giménez, who was born in Madrid in 1941, is widely regarded as a pioneer of autobiographical graphic novels in Spain. His work often draws on historical memory and social realism.
Among his most celebrated works is Paracuellos, a series detailing the lives of children in Social Aid state orphanages during the post-war Franco era. His graphic novel Barrio offered a costumbrista chronicle of Madrid during the 1950s, while Los Profesionales portrayed the inner workings of commercial illustrator agencies in Spain.
His published bibliography also includes graphic works such as Trilogía del Crepúsculo and España, Una, Grande y Libre.
