For many of his readers Joe Sacco has a personal impact. The emotion is diffused but powerful; it might be perceived as a knock-out –though not many of us have had that experience– or perhaps like emerging from a deep sleep. His first words convince us of his status as a writer, and very quicklywe are happy to believe that this journalist is not taking us for a ride. We are persuaded that he is an honest man because, above all, he is self-critical, because he has taken the time to listen and to be listened to, and because he has grasped, studied, justified each detail he presents to us. With his personal point of view to the fore, he brings us the manifest proof of his humility rather than egocentric arrogance.