Chaos in Kinshasa
Historical fiction / Graphic novel / Democratic Republic of Congo / Adult
Catalyst Press
February 20, 2024
From beloved Congolese comics creator Barly Baruti and Belgian comics critic Thierry Bellefroid, translated from the original French by Batchelder Award-winning translator Ivanka Hahnenberger A Harlem gangster's trip to Central Africa to attend the legendary 1974 Ali-Foreman "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match becomes a one-way ticket to the seedy underground of Zaire--complete with espionage, murder, and a communist plot to overthrow Zaire's infamous President Mobutu. When Ernest, a low-level gangster from Harlem, wins tickets to travel to Zaire to attend the "Rumble in the Jungle," the now-legendary bout between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, he's eager to reconnect with his African roots and escape the ruthless gang leaders he's indebted to back home. But in Zaire, Ernest becomes entangled in an Angolan coup against the country's embattled president Mobutu Sese Seko--inspired by Che Guevara himself--and soon realizes that Zaire may hold even more dangers for him than Harlem ever could. A Cold-War-era thriller set against the backdrop of a landmark moment in sports history, Chaos in Kinshasa features Barly Baruti's characteristic art and Thierry Bellefroid's punchy dialogue woven in with the elements of a great gangster story--sex, spies, bribes, and murder. A thrill ride through a pivotal moment in Cold War, African, and sports history.
Chaos in Kinshasa, written by Thierry Bellefroid and illustrated by Barly Baruti, is the gripping English translation of Chaos debout à Kinshasa, originally published by Glénat in 2016. This graphic novel takes readers on a captivating journey through one of sports’ most legendary moments—the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. However, this is no typical sports story. Through a sharp and insightful lens, Bellefroid and Baruti explore how the Cold War’s shadow loomed large over the fight, turning it into a global political chess match, with Zaire’s dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko, at the heart of the drama.
Mobutu, portrayed as a cunning and mercurial figure, is an African leader with shifting allegiances. To the outside world, he is a trusted ally of the United States, but behind closed doors, he navigates a maze of secret alliances—ranging from Israel to China, and even the Soviet Union. This complexity makes him a master manipulator, and the boxing match in Kinshasa is his personal stage to project power and influence. His real motive? To use the “Fight of the Century” as a massive propaganda tool to showcase Zaire on the global stage—an iron-fisted move to solidify his political grip.
Enter Don King, the infamous American boxing promoter who becomes a central figure in the story. The novel presents him not just as a colorful character but as an enigmatic man, freshly released from prison and hungry for redemption. His role is crucial, as he negotiates television broadcast rights and masterminds a legendary music festival that features icons such as James Brown, B.B. King, Celia Cruz, Manu Dibango, and Miriam Makeba—all meant to build excitement leading up to the fight. King’s behind-the-scenes machinations provide an extra layer of intrigue and highlight the political and cultural significance of this clash between two titans of the ring.
But what truly sets Chaos in Kinshasa apart is its unexpected protagonist: Ernest, a small-time hustler from Harlem who wins a ticket to the event through a radio contest. Naive and starry-eyed, he believes that Africa holds the promise of something better. Little does he know, he is about to be drawn into a tangled web of Cold War-era intrigue. Mobutu, Belgian politicians, CIA agents, Angolan revolutionaries, and even prostitutes manipulated by Mobutu’s secret service—all have their eyes on Ernest, using him for their own agendas. The narrative cleverly turns the focus away from the fight itself and instead builds suspense around Ernest’s harrowing journey, as he becomes a pawn in a larger geopolitical game.
Baruti’s vivid and detailed illustrations bring this high-stakes drama to life, perfectly capturing the intensity of the moment and the tension of the Cold War backdrop. The artwork and storytelling mesh seamlessly, giving the reader not only a historical thriller but also a visual feast.
In the end, as Ali pulls off his historic upset over Foreman, true chaos erupts. The real fight unfolds off the ring, with characters locked in their own power struggles, all with Ernest caught in the crossfire. Chaos in Kinshasa is a must-read for both sports enthusiasts and thriller aficionados alike, offering a compelling blend of history, politics, and human drama. It’s a remarkable testament to the intersection of sports and global politics, told through the rich and immersive lens of a graphic novel.
Didier Gondola
Johns Hopkins University
Published in Africa Access Review (February 12, 2025)
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