Project title
The Case: A graphic novel on censorship, resilience and artistic resistance in the face of political repression
Research question
How can graphic storytelling document and resist political repression, and what role does satire play in reclaiming freedom of expression?
Project description
The Case is a deeply personal graphic novel that explores the absurdities of censorship, the limits of freedom of expression, and the resilience of artists under pressure. Based on her own experience as a political cartoonist prosecuted in Turkey for a satirical cartoon, Zehra Ömeroğlu examines how humor can become both a target and a tool in authoritarian contexts.
Through visual storytelling, it contrasts the severity of repression with the surreal logic of the legal system.
The narrative follows a journey from public defamation and legal persecution to international solidarity, forced relocation, and artistic reinvention.
Set between Turkey, Georgia, and Germany, “The Case” addresses the global erosion of artistic freedom and the power of satire as a form of resistance. It questions who gets to define offense, and how creative expression survives — or adapts — under pressure. The project blends irony, documentary reality, and emotional depth to reflect on the shifting borders of dissent.
Selected publications
- Cartoons (2015) – LeMan Cadde Yayınevi (Turkey) and A collection of cartoons critiquing societal contradictions, gender roles, and absurdities in daily life, offering sharp humor and unique perspectives.
- Affirmations for Losers (2022) – Marmaraçizgi Yayınevi (Turkey) A satirical critique of self-help culture and toxic positivity, addressing modern challenges with biting humor and realism.
- Cartoons on Psychology (2023) – Karakarga Yayınevi (Turkey) Features hundreds of cartoons exploring Achievements & Events interpersonal relationships, therapy, and societal roles, shedding light on the complexities of modern life.
