CNN anchor Jake Tapper is stepping beyond the television studio for his next creative endeavor, spending three years writing and personally illustrating a graphic novel focused on post-World War II history. Titled "The Butcher: The Decades-Long Hunt for Klaus Barbie, One of the World’s Most Notorious Killers," the project explores the tracking and ultimate capture of the infamous Nazi figure known as the "Butcher of Lyon."
A Historic Pursuit Told Through Visual Storytelling
The book, scheduled for release on June 1, 2027, through Top Shelf Productions, traces how Barbie fled Germany and eluded authorities for decades before journalists and Nazi hunters successfully discovered his whereabouts. Barbie had terrorized Lyon, France, before resurfacing years later in Bolivia, where he backed a right-wing government prior to his arrest.
Tapper drew inspiration for the narrative during a trip to France with his family. To reconstruct the events, the journalist compiled research using historical source materials across four languages. The book details the international manhunt and also examines the individuals and systems that assisted Barbie in evading capture following the war.
Deep Roots in Cartooning and Independent Publishing
While audiences recognize Tapper as the host of CNN programs such as "The Lead" and "State of the Union," as well as an author of eight books, visual art has played a lifelong role in his creative background. Growing up reading comic strips such as Charles Schulz’s "Peanuts" and Walt Kelly’s "Pogo," alongside traditional superhero series like Batman and Superman, Tapper regularly drew for his college newspaper at Dartmouth, Roll Call, and his hometown paper, The South Street Star.
Tapper briefly brought his artwork to CNN broadcasts by drawing closing political cartoons on "State of the Union." However, he eventually stepped away from the on-air drawings, finding that balancing hard-hitting editorial cartooning with the objective demands of a television news anchor led him to soften his output rather than produce the biting commentary he felt the medium required.
For his new historical venture, Tapper selected Top Shelf Productions, the independent imprint behind acclaimed releases such as Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell's "From Hell," Congressman John Lewis's "March" trilogy, and George Takei's "They Called Us Enemy." The author noted that he welcomed stringent editorial oversight throughout the multi-year development cycle, desiring a finished work that prioritized thoroughness over a quick turnaround.
The Intensive Production Process and Narrative Framing
The physical demands of drawing every panel proved labor-intensive for the broadcaster. After finishing the initial 250 pages, Tapper opted to redraw approximately 100 pages to refine his technique and ensure the quality matched his standards. Even as production nears completion, he continues adjusting panel details.
To guide readers through the complex investigation, Tapper collaborated with the daughter of Allan Ryan, a former official with the U.S. Department of Justice who investigated how Barbie evaded prosecution. Ryan is featured directly within the graphic novel, functioning as a narrative figure who leads audiences through the investigative breakthroughs and political contexts of the pursuit.
With publication set for summer 2027, Tapper aims for the graphic novel to serve as an accessible, historically grounded exploration of post-war accountability rather than a reflection of modern political commentary.
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Source: Variety
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