This graphic novel covers the life story of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, dictator of Russia. Cunningham goes to many sources, journalists’ reporting and books to cover Putin’s directed murders of journalists and political opponents, his attempts to roll back any democratic reforms, his consolidation of power, territory, and world influence, and theft of Russian assets for his personal enrichment over his years in power.

We learn of his determination to join the KGB, his career in Dresden, return to Moscow, and through careful positioning, allies himself with Boris Yeltsin, then president of Russia, to take control of the country. He immediately rolls back the democratic reforms of Gorbachev and Yeltsin, and continues to find allies in government to make constitutional and legal reforms that will keep him in power, increase his control, and protect him for years to come. His brutal treatment of Chechnya, Syria, LGBTQ+ Russians, and even his own Russian citizens in the most thuggish ways, is shocking, to those who have not previously read this in the news.

Cunningham ends with a brief commentary, describing what may happen if Putin goes unchecked by democratic nations. Thugs worldwide are encouraged when they see Putin succeed with little resistance, encouraging other unscrupulous players to gain control by any means necessary. I am surprised that Cunningham does not mention China, which is also governed by a regime that has no respect for its citizenry and governs in a brutal manner as needed. Freedom isn’t free, and we must shut down Russian access to our economies wherever possible. Greed cannot be permitted to give Putin access. I highly recommend this important book.