Jason Lutes' Graphic Novel Berlin Chronicles Weimar Republic Life with Contemporary Relevance

After more than twenty years, Jason Lutes has finalized his graphic novel, Berlin, which depicts life in the city during the interwar period. Initially released as 22 separate comics, it is now available as a complete volume from Drawn & Quarterly for $49.95/£35. The plot centers on Marthe Müller, a young artist, and journalist Kurt Severing, set against a backdrop of escalating political unrest. Marthe experiences art school and the Neue Sachlichkeit movement, while Kurt reports on Germany's decline into barbarism under the supervision of editor Carl von Ossietzky, who ultimately perished in Nazi custody. The story delves into Berlin's jazz scene and the challenges faced by marginalized communities, with swastikas making their first appearance on page 506. Lutes utilizes inventive comic techniques and draws inspiration from Art Spiegelman and Chris Ware.