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You Must Take Part in Revolution: A Graphic Novel
From acclaimed journalist Melissa Chan and esteemed activist artist Badiucao comes a near-future graphic novel dystopia that explores technology, authoritarian government, and the lengths that one will go to in the fight for freedom.
Three idealistic youths, forever transformed by the real-world protests in Hong Kong in 2019, develop diverging beliefs about how to best fight against techno-authoritarian China. As conflict escalates and a nuclear disaster looms, is working with an increasingly fascist and non-democratic United States the answer? Andy, Maggie, and Olivia travel different paths toward transformative change, each confronting to what extent they will fight for freedom, and who they will become in doing so.
A powerful and important book about global totalitarian futures, and the costs of resistance.
Three idealistic youths, forever transformed by the real-world protests in Hong Kong in 2019, develop diverging beliefs about how to best fight against techno-authoritarian China. As conflict escalates and a nuclear disaster looms, is working with an increasingly fascist and non-democratic United States the answer? Andy, Maggie, and Olivia travel different paths toward transformative change, each confronting to what extent they will fight for freedom, and who they will become in doing so.
A powerful and important book about global totalitarian futures, and the costs of resistance.
264 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2025
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549 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 20, 2026
Three young activists come together during the 2019 Hong Kong protests, but following a bomb attack one is imprisoned, one disappears, and the other ends up mopey. But sixteen years later in 2035 their lives converge again in the shadow of increasing military activity between China and the U.S.A.
I was intrigued by the political speculation and the moments that highlighted the thin line between activism and terrorism, but this first graphic novel by the creative team, while passionate, was just a little too stilted and overheated in dialogue and illustrations. The plot didn't flow very smoothly and took some turns that were so heavy-handed as to be rather silly, even invoking Lyndon Johnson's infamous "Daisy" ad about nuclear armageddon at one point.
It didn't work for me, but I can see why its earnestness and pedigree caught the attention of NPR (see below).
(Best of 2025 Project: I'm reading all the graphic novels that made it onto one or more of these lists:
• Washington Post 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2025
• Publishers Weekly 2025 Graphic Novel Critics Poll
• NPR's Books We Love 2025: Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels
This book made the NPR list.)
I was intrigued by the political speculation and the moments that highlighted the thin line between activism and terrorism, but this first graphic novel by the creative team, while passionate, was just a little too stilted and overheated in dialogue and illustrations. The plot didn't flow very smoothly and took some turns that were so heavy-handed as to be rather silly, even invoking Lyndon Johnson's infamous "Daisy" ad about nuclear armageddon at one point.
It didn't work for me, but I can see why its earnestness and pedigree caught the attention of NPR (see below).
(Best of 2025 Project: I'm reading all the graphic novels that made it onto one or more of these lists:
• Washington Post 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2025
• Publishers Weekly 2025 Graphic Novel Critics Poll
• NPR's Books We Love 2025: Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels
This book made the NPR list.)
March 20, 2025
In a not-terribly-far-off future, two global superpowers face off, destroying the lives of ordinary citizens in the process. Individuals must choose their side at great personal peril.
April 12, 2025
Overall: 4/5
Illustration: 5/5
Illustration: 5/5
Read
January 22, 2026Normally I could read a graphic novel of this length in a sitting, but this one was not an easy read. The subject matter and by extension the illustrations are intense. I'm glad I read it because it's always good to think about the complicated approaches to fighting oppression, but uffda. No happy endings here.
January 21, 2026
Fiercely original art style. Writing is a little heavy handed at times, but more than makes up for it by being overwhelmingly relevant to the time and measured to the situation of the fiction. You can tell this is a fictional work from an East Asian international news correspondent (complimentary).
April 11, 2025
https://thecaffeinatedreader.com/2025...
First off! This is a debut graphic novel for both co-writer and (other co-writer) illustrator and man did they take a heavy but super admirable concept and run with it. I would literally suggest this to anyone this year who reads graphic novels for the subject and content alone. This was another pick for the local graphic/comic club I'm in. Not my pick, you all know me, I'm not that smart but man do I love getting to read so many different things that people suggest. We were all pretty jazzed for this, I'd like to think. Chan is an Emmy nominated journalist (just one of many impressive things and nominations), she's no stranger to global or political affairs and she and Badiucao were very clear about this book's intent.
Using real political affairs and policies as well as the real world's state, they put us just enough int he future that we can find it a plausible one.
(The authors helpfully put footnotes for those who might not know the background of this story, such as Tiananmen Square, and I think that's a really great thing to do especially with younger readers or those that again would not have known some of these facts.)
First off! This is a debut graphic novel for both co-writer and (other co-writer) illustrator and man did they take a heavy but super admirable concept and run with it. I would literally suggest this to anyone this year who reads graphic novels for the subject and content alone. This was another pick for the local graphic/comic club I'm in. Not my pick, you all know me, I'm not that smart but man do I love getting to read so many different things that people suggest. We were all pretty jazzed for this, I'd like to think. Chan is an Emmy nominated journalist (just one of many impressive things and nominations), she's no stranger to global or political affairs and she and Badiucao were very clear about this book's intent.
Using real political affairs and policies as well as the real world's state, they put us just enough int he future that we can find it a plausible one.
(The authors helpfully put footnotes for those who might not know the background of this story, such as Tiananmen Square, and I think that's a really great thing to do especially with younger readers or those that again would not have known some of these facts.)
December 8, 2025
Not the best execution, but what this graphic novel has to say is worth 5 stars. Highly, highly recommend.
August 18, 2025
I thought this was excellent. Great story and amazing art.
October 28, 2025
This graphic novel was an intense read, packed with opposing political narratives embodied by three central figures. I say narratives rather than ideologies because fighting for an idea such as “freedom” does not necessarily mean fighting for a specific nation that claims to represent that ideal. However, in this story, the two seemed inseparable for much of the plot. Every character appears to serve an ideological function.
The U.S. propaganda, standing for “freedom,” was quite irritating — yet I have to admit, it did its job well. It reflected the still-prevalent perception of the U.S. as a global symbol of liberty, offering insight into the mindset of those who genuinely believe America stands for freedom rather than oppression. For readers unfamiliar with the nation’s violent history, this could easily be misleading. Still, a brief interaction between Dennis and Andy revealed a clear critique of the American system, mocking “American exceptionalism” and “American optimism” as being “too cute.” In my view, that moment exposed the authors’ true intentions. Another incisive line on page 77 confirmed it: “It is never about the people. It is always about the power.” This suggests that the dialogues between Chinese and American propaganda merely serve as a display of public narrative, a surface-level performance rather than genuine ideological debate.
This hints at the conclusion that the authors’ true message was to warn against over-identification with rigid political ideologies, especially those intertwined with one’s national identity. Yet, they manage to do so without making this warning entirely explicit. There remains a deliberate openness — a space for doubt — which, in my opinion, is what makes this novel so intriguing. That ambiguity invites the reader to question their own assumptions about patriotism, ideology, and the narratives we’re taught to believe.
All in all, the novel sometimes left me confused. It presents itself as a near-realistic alternative world, yet contradicts itself in its portrayal of Andy as a pacifist figure unwilling to resist oppression through radical action with possible necessity to having to recur to violence, despite his activist parents. Coming from such a background, Andy should realistically understand that oppressors rarely respond to polite appeals for liberation. His anger at Maggie felt unconvincing and poorly thought through, creating a rift between his characterization and the story’s political message.
Olivia’s role as a spy added welcome tension to the plot. However, the connection between her and the little girl who died in the nuclear explosion was never clearly explained. The girl simply appears and then haunts Olivia throughout the novel. Conceptually, that’s fascinating, symbolically rich even, but the emotional and narrative link between them could have been communicated more effectively.
As for the dialogues, I’m still uncertain. I haven’t read enough graphic novels to provide a strong comparison, but at times the conversations felt shallow or slightly corny. Then again, that might stem from cultural differences in expression, perhaps a reflection of the distinctly American tone of dialogue.
Despite its flaws, the novel was a refreshing and captivating read. Anyone seeking a fast-paced revolutionary story will likely enjoy it. Most of all, the artwork is extraordinary. I found myself pausing after each page just to admire the panels. Even if the story doesn’t fully convince you, the visuals more than make up for it. The art style matches well visually with the dramatic tone of the story.
The U.S. propaganda, standing for “freedom,” was quite irritating — yet I have to admit, it did its job well. It reflected the still-prevalent perception of the U.S. as a global symbol of liberty, offering insight into the mindset of those who genuinely believe America stands for freedom rather than oppression. For readers unfamiliar with the nation’s violent history, this could easily be misleading. Still, a brief interaction between Dennis and Andy revealed a clear critique of the American system, mocking “American exceptionalism” and “American optimism” as being “too cute.” In my view, that moment exposed the authors’ true intentions. Another incisive line on page 77 confirmed it: “It is never about the people. It is always about the power.” This suggests that the dialogues between Chinese and American propaganda merely serve as a display of public narrative, a surface-level performance rather than genuine ideological debate.
This hints at the conclusion that the authors’ true message was to warn against over-identification with rigid political ideologies, especially those intertwined with one’s national identity. Yet, they manage to do so without making this warning entirely explicit. There remains a deliberate openness — a space for doubt — which, in my opinion, is what makes this novel so intriguing. That ambiguity invites the reader to question their own assumptions about patriotism, ideology, and the narratives we’re taught to believe.
All in all, the novel sometimes left me confused. It presents itself as a near-realistic alternative world, yet contradicts itself in its portrayal of Andy as a pacifist figure unwilling to resist oppression through radical action with possible necessity to having to recur to violence, despite his activist parents. Coming from such a background, Andy should realistically understand that oppressors rarely respond to polite appeals for liberation. His anger at Maggie felt unconvincing and poorly thought through, creating a rift between his characterization and the story’s political message.
Olivia’s role as a spy added welcome tension to the plot. However, the connection between her and the little girl who died in the nuclear explosion was never clearly explained. The girl simply appears and then haunts Olivia throughout the novel. Conceptually, that’s fascinating, symbolically rich even, but the emotional and narrative link between them could have been communicated more effectively.
As for the dialogues, I’m still uncertain. I haven’t read enough graphic novels to provide a strong comparison, but at times the conversations felt shallow or slightly corny. Then again, that might stem from cultural differences in expression, perhaps a reflection of the distinctly American tone of dialogue.
Despite its flaws, the novel was a refreshing and captivating read. Anyone seeking a fast-paced revolutionary story will likely enjoy it. Most of all, the artwork is extraordinary. I found myself pausing after each page just to admire the panels. Even if the story doesn’t fully convince you, the visuals more than make up for it. The art style matches well visually with the dramatic tone of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2026
IV Things About You Must Take Part in Revolution
I. History isn’t background here — it’s the weapon.
The title alone tells you what this book is doing, but I love how directly it throws Mao’s quote back in the reader’s face and asks what it actually means when you strip it of abstraction. The generational and historical connections are handled with real care — nothing assumes prior knowledge, nothing lectures. It trusts you to keep up, and in doing so, it makes the history feel alive, current, and unsettlingly relevant.
II. Black, white, and just enough color to hurt.
The restrained use of color is doing so much work here. Yellow as hope, optimism, possibility. Red as violence, death, consequence. It’s basic in theory, but devastating in execution. The way those colors creep in, shift meaning, and occasionally flip sides reinforces the book’s central discomfort: that righteousness doesn’t protect you from becoming something you don’t recognize. Even dream sequences are immediately legible without a single word explaining them — the visual language is that confident.
III. Moral tension, not moral clarity.
Andy’s internal conflict is where this story really tightens its grip. He knows he should act. He knows what he’s doing isn’t enough. And yet he can’t fully commit — not because he doesn’t care, but because caring has a cost he’s afraid to pay. The book refuses to let violence be clean, even when it’s framed as necessary, and I appreciate how it acknowledges that choosing to “do something” often means choosing to give up parts of yourself. Not because you must — but because you decide to.
IV. Change is inevitable — recognizing it is optional.
One of the smartest things this book does is show how time and circumstance reshape people, while also showing how bad we are at acknowledging that change in others. Characters are trapped by outdated versions of one another, even as they themselves evolve. It’s painful, deeply human, and far more realistic than stories that treat ideological shifts as sudden or clean. The grounding in real-world events adds weight and urgency, even as it raises questions about timelessness — but honestly, that tension feels intentional.
Bottom line:
This is a rare graphic novel that’s politically sharp without being simplistic, emotionally grounded without being sentimental, and visually restrained in a way that makes every artistic choice matter. It’s challenging, uncomfortable, and deeply human — and it earns every bit of that discomfort. For me, this was an easy five stars.
I. History isn’t background here — it’s the weapon.
The title alone tells you what this book is doing, but I love how directly it throws Mao’s quote back in the reader’s face and asks what it actually means when you strip it of abstraction. The generational and historical connections are handled with real care — nothing assumes prior knowledge, nothing lectures. It trusts you to keep up, and in doing so, it makes the history feel alive, current, and unsettlingly relevant.
II. Black, white, and just enough color to hurt.
The restrained use of color is doing so much work here. Yellow as hope, optimism, possibility. Red as violence, death, consequence. It’s basic in theory, but devastating in execution. The way those colors creep in, shift meaning, and occasionally flip sides reinforces the book’s central discomfort: that righteousness doesn’t protect you from becoming something you don’t recognize. Even dream sequences are immediately legible without a single word explaining them — the visual language is that confident.
III. Moral tension, not moral clarity.
Andy’s internal conflict is where this story really tightens its grip. He knows he should act. He knows what he’s doing isn’t enough. And yet he can’t fully commit — not because he doesn’t care, but because caring has a cost he’s afraid to pay. The book refuses to let violence be clean, even when it’s framed as necessary, and I appreciate how it acknowledges that choosing to “do something” often means choosing to give up parts of yourself. Not because you must — but because you decide to.
IV. Change is inevitable — recognizing it is optional.
One of the smartest things this book does is show how time and circumstance reshape people, while also showing how bad we are at acknowledging that change in others. Characters are trapped by outdated versions of one another, even as they themselves evolve. It’s painful, deeply human, and far more realistic than stories that treat ideological shifts as sudden or clean. The grounding in real-world events adds weight and urgency, even as it raises questions about timelessness — but honestly, that tension feels intentional.
Bottom line:
This is a rare graphic novel that’s politically sharp without being simplistic, emotionally grounded without being sentimental, and visually restrained in a way that makes every artistic choice matter. It’s challenging, uncomfortable, and deeply human — and it earns every bit of that discomfort. For me, this was an easy five stars.
May 29, 2025
This thought-provoking graphic novel begins with the 2019 Hong Kong Democracy protests and provides a preview of a likely future China-Taiwan conflict. I highly recommend it for everyone.
(I visited China, Tibet and Hong Kong in 2008 and Taiwan in 2024. I saw snipers on roof tops in Lhasa, Tibet and watched the 2019 Hong Kong protests on YouTube. Most Taiwanese people I spoke with seemed resigned that China would attempt a take-over, so the book has an important message even though I wish Taiwan could remain independent.)
I listen to a lot of audiobooks on long walks so it was refreshing to have both the riveting storyline and colorful illustrations. I've lent the book to friends and they also felt it was an important work, especially with the geopolitical upheaval after the Ukraine war and a 2nd more authoritarian Tump presidency.
(I visited China, Tibet and Hong Kong in 2008 and Taiwan in 2024. I saw snipers on roof tops in Lhasa, Tibet and watched the 2019 Hong Kong protests on YouTube. Most Taiwanese people I spoke with seemed resigned that China would attempt a take-over, so the book has an important message even though I wish Taiwan could remain independent.)
I listen to a lot of audiobooks on long walks so it was refreshing to have both the riveting storyline and colorful illustrations. I've lent the book to friends and they also felt it was an important work, especially with the geopolitical upheaval after the Ukraine war and a 2nd more authoritarian Tump presidency.
July 3, 2025
I picked this comic up because its title and cover rocked.
Unfortunately, it's just the most boring "rara China bad America good" propaganda bs you'll ever encounter. None of the characters were particularly interesting, the story is literally that America becomes an open fascist state engaged in war with China, but the main character still works with the U.S. army because he hates the govt in Beijing that much. No nuance or analysis at all, just blatant new Cold War slop about how evil the Chinese govt is (when in this fictious universe, the U.S. is actively mass arresting Asian people again, but rock flag and eagle my country tis of thee I guess).
The artwork was cool, but that's literally the only positive thing I have to say about this. Not worth the paper it's written on.
Unfortunately, it's just the most boring "rara China bad America good" propaganda bs you'll ever encounter. None of the characters were particularly interesting, the story is literally that America becomes an open fascist state engaged in war with China, but the main character still works with the U.S. army because he hates the govt in Beijing that much. No nuance or analysis at all, just blatant new Cold War slop about how evil the Chinese govt is (when in this fictious universe, the U.S. is actively mass arresting Asian people again, but rock flag and eagle my country tis of thee I guess).
The artwork was cool, but that's literally the only positive thing I have to say about this. Not worth the paper it's written on.
September 28, 2025
3.75/5 I like the group of strangers to friends' story, and how they all went different directions politically, yet their paths intertwined throughout. I like the graphics. I am indecisive about the reflection on whether violence in response to an oppressive regime is necessary or unnecessary. I wish the writing of the storyline was cleaner.
At the end....spoiler.....Maggie tells Olivia she respects her position but still believes in democracy and then Olivia survives to right her wrongs. However, how she'll do that is left open-ended. I'd be interested if they'd write a second graphic novel to further tell her story because, in one way, it ends on a cliffhanger, and in another, it feels unfinished.
At the end....spoiler.....Maggie tells Olivia she respects her position but still believes in democracy and then Olivia survives to right her wrongs. However, how she'll do that is left open-ended. I'd be interested if they'd write a second graphic novel to further tell her story because, in one way, it ends on a cliffhanger, and in another, it feels unfinished.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2025
It’s 2029 in Hong Kong, and Andy, Maggie, and Olivia participate in protests together. When the resistance turns violent, Maggie embraces it but Andy and Olivia see it as a problem and want nothing to do with it. When one of Maggie’s “operations” accidentally leads to the death of a baby, she’s put in prison for life.
Years later in 2030, Andy is a veterinarian who’s recruited into a secret organization battling Chinese aggression. He reunites with Olivia and becomes part of an attack on the jail where Maggie is being kept. This brings the three former friends together again, but at what cost?
Years later in 2030, Andy is a veterinarian who’s recruited into a secret organization battling Chinese aggression. He reunites with Olivia and becomes part of an attack on the jail where Maggie is being kept. This brings the three former friends together again, but at what cost?
May 27, 2025
A timely and far-too-likely vision of the future, where mainland Communist China and an authoritarian United States are on the brink of war. The art is beautiful yet haunting, with all the pathos of those who have personally felt political persecution.
To me, one of the most interesting threads of the book, was how author Melissa Chan used her own first-hand experience of the Hong Kong protests to tie a direct line between activism of the past, present and all to probable future.
A must-read for anyone concerned about the current global balance of power and the state of individual freedoms.
To me, one of the most interesting threads of the book, was how author Melissa Chan used her own first-hand experience of the Hong Kong protests to tie a direct line between activism of the past, present and all to probable future.
A must-read for anyone concerned about the current global balance of power and the state of individual freedoms.
August 27, 2025
I found this one in the new section of my local library — the cover caught my eye and I love a graphic novel (and also a dystopian). The story in this one was deep, emotional and a story that feels all too familiar. The 3 different but related struggles each of the friends go through as they navigate through the political climate of 2035 felt like looking into a crystal ball. I loved the art style and the minimal (and symbolic) use of color. I recommended this one to anyone and everyone, this novel touched on a lot of human points of navigating through modern warfare.
November 18, 2025
Futuristic story, authoritarianism, protest culture, fast paced, tense, sparse coloring, watercolor inspired artwork
Three friends meet during the 2019 Hong Kong protests, and this story follows their lives into the 2030s and beyond as international relations become more unfriendly and China becomes more controlling over Hong Kong. Each of the characters is forever affected and unable to separate themselves, though in different ways, from the sociopolitical movement. Definitely terrifying and tense, but the dystopia seems closer than ever in current times.
Three friends meet during the 2019 Hong Kong protests, and this story follows their lives into the 2030s and beyond as international relations become more unfriendly and China becomes more controlling over Hong Kong. Each of the characters is forever affected and unable to separate themselves, though in different ways, from the sociopolitical movement. Definitely terrifying and tense, but the dystopia seems closer than ever in current times.
November 25, 2025
Thought-provoking, timely, upsetting, conversation-starting exploration of people who want to build a better world but struggle to find a path to do so within a framework of increasing authoritarianism. My one complaint is that I think the "bad guys" are almost cartoonishly approached and therefore feel like stereotypes, boiled down to caricatures. The strength of this narrative lies in the development of the three young people as they navigate a world of increasing restrictions of thought and freedom.
July 7, 2025
I'm really not quite sure what to think about this one.
The artwork is mostly really lovely and creative. The story, though, is quite shallow really. A lot of it is told rather than shown - we have to believe in the connection between the main characters, and even their motives aren't very well expressed. The politics is quite ham-fisted at times, mainly because the dialogue's somewhat clunky.
But still, it's readable and it's got lovely artwork.
The artwork is mostly really lovely and creative. The story, though, is quite shallow really. A lot of it is told rather than shown - we have to believe in the connection between the main characters, and even their motives aren't very well expressed. The politics is quite ham-fisted at times, mainly because the dialogue's somewhat clunky.
But still, it's readable and it's got lovely artwork.
July 19, 2025
Three young people meet at pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. They each radicalize in different ways. To me, the main take-away was the futility of using violence to defend democracy, both on an individual and national level (the main villain is the CCP, but the United States is not spared either). This is a unique and thought-provoking book that’s worth a read.
August 13, 2025
PS Reading Challenge prompt 42: book with a title that starts with the letter Y
Another book where the twists and turns had me reeling. Andy, Olivia, and Maggie are protestors in a version of the future where China and the United States are at war with Taiwan in the crosshairs. They meet, become friends but to say anything else would ruin the fun. Read this book. It's that good.
Another book where the twists and turns had me reeling. Andy, Olivia, and Maggie are protestors in a version of the future where China and the United States are at war with Taiwan in the crosshairs. They meet, become friends but to say anything else would ruin the fun. Read this book. It's that good.
May 29, 2025
A stellar take on what activism can look like in its many forms. Baudiucao's art makes for a set of stunning visuals to support a thought-provoking story. I hope to use this in my politics class one day!
June 21, 2025
not the most biting political commentary, but a small look into three “average” citizens’ lives being derailed because of totalitarian threats. story was bleh and had no real point or ending (but i guess that’s the reality when everyday citizens face entire governments?) but +1 star for the art!!!!
August 12, 2025
This is like a near-term future history of a conflict between an authoritarian China and a fascist America, as both systems have gone too far. So it was well done, but hit a little too close to home. Basically, we are all in conflict, no matter how active a participant we want to be.
August 20, 2025
Chan could have done a better job of showing Andy's acceptance of extremism, but I think she does solid work in showing the struggle of living under war and fascism as well as the effort needed for revolution.
September 7, 2025
I really appreciated the politics of this book. The protests the story starts from are something I didn’t know much about. I was eager to understand that more and thought the speculative story that emerged from it was really inventive and smart. I was impressed by the ink. Cool book.
September 11, 2025
The stunning artwork adds deeper meaning to the narrative. Philosophically engaging while keeping the action flowing--it might get a tad preposterous (like most action-oriented stories) but the base themes of this story are very real.
December 21, 2025
Have been too immersed in News Of The Day and unable to focus on reading a book so this graphic novel was perfect.
Beautifully drawn and (indeed) revolutionary. The Struggle continues. Enjoyed it immensely.
Beautifully drawn and (indeed) revolutionary. The Struggle continues. Enjoyed it immensely.
February 2, 2026
I wish I could rate this higher for the sake of the artwork but it is severely held back by poor writing. Dialogue is really awkward and borderline unreadable at times. This could have benefitted from editing and rewrites but the artwork is truly something to behold.
May 1, 2025
A must read for the 21st century.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews