Blood and Water: The Life and Martyrdom of Shahbaz Bhatti

Gilda Rose Kalathil reviews a graphic novel that tells a story of courage to inspire teen readers to make bold choices for the sake of God and His people. 

Blood and Water: The Life and Martyrdom of Shahbaz Bhatti

By Matt Yocum; illustrated by Jordan Holt 

Published by Magnificat/Ignatius Press

Blood and Water, written by Matt Yocum and illustrated by Jordan Holt, is a graphic novel that follows the life and martyrdom of Shahbaz Bhatti of Pakistan. Born in Khushpur, Pakistan, Shahbaz Bhatti was the voice of the voiceless in his country. His efforts, courage, and dependence on God helped spotlight the atrocities faced by minorities in his country. How he was as a child, along with noteworthy incidents from his life, are beautifully highlighted in this artistic biography. His exposure to the realities of life for the underprivileged in his country, his activism and humanitarian efforts, and the strong and impactful networks he built that got the world to pay attention are all commendably captured.

The Story of a Hero Who Made Bold Choices

Matt Yocum writes in the voice of Shahbaz Bhatti’s nephew and niece. This gives us an insight into his relationships with his family: his mother, father, brother, and others he interacted with. I find this helpful in relating to his humanness, instead of seeing him only as a hero who made bold choices. It gives the reader a sense of hope about what they are capable of if they listen to God. Blood and Water is, therefore, an apt title that captures this.

Jordan Holt has also lovingly captured emotions and tension in the scenes through his art. The colour palette and style used are appropriate to the storyline. The novel is an ideal read for teenagers, presenting Shahbaz Bhatti as a role model and inspiring reflection on the choices they make. At an age when they are easily influenced by the world of celebrities, Blood and Water is a reminder of bold choices and decisions made for the sake of God and His people.

A Magnificat publication by Ignatius Press, created by Knox Thames and edited by Mandi Hart, this graphic novel is a courageous reminder of what we may sometimes find hard to face about the world we live in. The life story is contemporary, set in recent times, and therefore would be appealing to the youth. It is a generous reminder of what God can do in our lives if we only say yes. Shahbaz Bhatti truly lived it.

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Copyright 2026 Gilda Rose Kalathil
Images: (top) from publisher