Gunmen stormed the offices of Charlie Hebdo -- a satirical newspaper headquartered in Paris -- leaving 12 dead Wednesday, including cartoonists Jean "Cabu" Cabut, Georges Wolinski and Bernard Verlhac (also known as Tignous), as well as the publication's editor/publisher Stéphane "Charb" Charbonnier.
In the immediate aftermath, illustrators and artists around the world were moved to express grief and frustration, showing solidarity with their slain colleagues in political cartoons aimed at defending freedom of speech, while also condemning religious extremism. Many of the visualizations capture the absurdity of the terrorist attack in a universal language -- cartoons.
Take a look at some of the most powerful images:
I am devastated by what just happened in France. #CharlieHebdo pic.twitter.com/IxEbScqYFh
— jean jullien (@jean_jullien) January 7, 2015
“My heart goes out to Charlie Hebdo.”
“Today, I am a press cartoonist. Today, I am a journalist. Today, I draw for Charlie Hebdo.”
“The world has gotten so serious that humor has become a risky profession.”
“To arms, companions!”
“Died for the freedom of expression.”
“Oh no… not them…”
“Ducks [slang: newspapers] will always fly higher than guns.”