Nick: Comics, Horror and Politics in ExarchiaCEFR B1
13 Oct 2025
Adapted from Elvis Takahashi Mantello, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by João Pedro Schmitz, Unsplash
Nikos Tragganidas Posazennikov, known as Nick, was raised in a politically engaged family. At first his family discouraged art, but he eventually chose it full time. He works as a comic book artist, animator and musician, and he began by drawing as a child and making comics for fun as a teenager.
His work shifted after two major events. The Tempi train crash in February 2023 killed 57 people and revealed long-running negligence and corruption in Greece’s railways. After October 7, 2023 he made pieces about Palestine. These moments pushed him to treat real political harm as a form of horror in his comics.
His latest comic, Vile Hunter, grew from ideas he wrote in high school and is influenced by Hellblazer and John Constantine. The main character, Mac, is an ordinary protester who reacts with fear, confusion and sometimes disgust. Nick uses supernatural stories to show issues like police brutality, femicide, gentrification and financial exploitation, arguing that a ghost born from a crime will not vanish while the system stays the same.
Difficult words
- exploit — to take advantage of someone or something unfairly.exploitation
- gentrification — when a poor area becomes more wealthy, changing the community.
- brutality — cruel and violent behavior, especially by police.
- art — the expression of creative skill and imagination.artist
- awareness — knowledge about something important.
- justice — fair treatment or behavior, upholding the law.
- victim — a person harmed or hurt by others.victims
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can art reflect social issues?
- Why do you think awareness is important?
- In what ways can art contribute to activism?
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