A Family Legacy: Jordan Mechner Opens Up in Powerful New Graphic Novel "Replay"
Jordan Mechner, the visionary game designer behind iconic titles like Prince of Persia and The Last Express, is unveiling a deeply personal side in his latest work. Replay: Memories of an Uprooted Family, a graphic novel, delves into Mechner’s family history, tracing the harrowing escape of his Jewish family from Austria during the Nazi regime.
While Mechner is known for his groundbreaking contributions to the video game world, including a canceled Prince of Persia reboot which almost came to fruition, it was the echoes of his family’s past that compelled him to create Replay. His grandfather, Adolf, fled Austria with his family just as the Nazi persecution intensified.
“Painting can express things you can’t express otherwise,” Mechner explains, revealing how he turned hundreds of pages of his grandfather’s handwritten accounts into a powerful visual narrative.
Adolf’s story, rich with both trauma and resilience, forms the heart of Replay. The graphic novel traces the family’s harrowing escape, their struggles to rebuild a life in a new land, and the lasting impact of their journey on future generations.
Mechner, born in New York in 1964, grew up surrounded by his family’s history. He found solace and inspiration in art, channeling his emotions and insights into his creations.
For years, Mechner wrestled with the idea of telling his family’s story. “This story deserves to be told,” he acknowledged, but a sense of hesitancy held him back.
"Part of the reason my parents went through what they did is to give their children a normal life," he reflects.
But Mechner eventually realized that the best way to honor his parents’ sacrifices was by sharing their legacy through his art. As he states, “Whatever situation we live in, we don’t choose it. We have to make the best of what we have. I am very lucky and the best way to honor [them] is to do the only thing I know how to do."
Replay, a testament to family, survival, and the power of storytelling, is now available in both French and Spanish.
[Image of Jordan Mechner Inside Image Include Image Caption: Jordan Mechner at Game in Madrid book signing for the release of “Replay.” (Photo courtesy of Gamereactor. CN)]
[Image of Replay book cover Inside Image Caption: The cover of Jordan Mechner’s graphic novel Replay (Image courtesy of Gamereactor. CN)]
About the Author:
Game designer Jordan Mechner is best known for creating Prince of Persia and The Last Express. In his new graphic novel Replay, he explores his family’s harrowing escape from Nazi-occupied Austria.
Please provide me wiht some context or a question so I can assist you! 😊
For example:
* **”Can you write a short story about a robot who learns to dream?”**
* **”What are some tips for baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie?”**
* **”Explain the difference between a simile and a metaphor.”**
I’m ready for anything! 🚀