Rebel

This project was supposed to just be a chance for me to record my work times and practice some different coloring skills, but it turned into a project I’m really proud of. Rarely do I finish an art piece and feel, yeah that’s what I had envisioned. — Cara Stemo

The Story

Rebel transforms the revolutionary poetry of Bei Dao into a striking visual narrative. One of China’s most acclaimed poets, Bei Dao (whose name means “Northern Island”) became synonymous with the “Misty Poetry” movement that challenged official cultural norms during the 1970s and 1980s. His work, which inspired the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, explores themes of resistance, individual conscience, and the struggle against oppression.

Cara Stemo’s adaptation captures the poem’s powerful defiance through evocative sequential art. Her distinctive style—blending American comics, manga influences, and traditional painting techniques—brings a unique visual language to this timeless message of human resilience.

About the Poet

Bei Dao (born Zhao Zhenkai, 1949) is among the most influential Chinese-language poets of his generation. After the Tiananmen Square events of 1989, he entered exile and has lived and taught in numerous countries. His poetry, known for its fragmented syntax and disjunctive imagery, continues to resonate with readers worldwide seeking voices of dissent and hope.

Learn more about Bei Dao at the Poetry Foundation.

View the Comic

See the full comic and explore more of Cara Stemo’s work at carastemo.com/rebel/