Kamal Hakim

Kamal Hakim (b. 1980), is a Lebanese comic book author. Passionate about diplomacy and geopolitics, he studied political science at the American University of Beirut. After a stint in prospective studies at the Ministry of Information, he left Lebanon for Canada, began a career change, and rediscovered his childhood passion: drawing.

Back in Lebanon, he published his first comic book, Le Temps des Grenades (The Time of Grenades) with the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA) in 2015. This story traces the history of his family plunged into the upheavals of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990).

In 2024, he illustrated Beyrouth Malgré Tout, written by Chloé Domat and Sophie Guignon, a comic book published by Steinkis editions. Through the eyes of pediatrician Robert Sacy, the authors, French correspondents in Lebanon, retrace the country's recent history, leading to the current economic collapse and the terrible explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. This story was born in the aftermath of the disaster, in the ruins of the hospital where the doctor works.

His graphic influences range from Émile Bravo, David B, and Manu Larcenet. He is also inspired by Joe Sacco and Marjane Satrapi for their ability to recount historical events through a personal narrative.