Auschwitz: The Comic Book

Real life stories from the Nazi death camp are told in cartoon comic book form aimed at younger generations.

Auschwitz survivor Kazimierz Smolen remembers clearly the story of the two lovers whose tale is told in a new cartoon comic book about the infamous Nazi death camp.

Edward Galinski and Mally Zimetbaum were killed trying to escape.

He says he was uneasy about the comic book idea but now believes it shows the camp as it really was.

SOUNDBITE: Kazimierz Smolen, Auschwitz survivor, saying (Polish):

"The last of us who've survived always remember those who perished not in the context of the horror we were going through but as living people wondering if they will leave this place or not, just like everyone else. To this day we try not to speak of the horror because you can't live in mourning all your life."

Love in the Shadow of Death is the first in a series of comic books portraying real life Auschwitz stories.

It's intended to keep the reality of Auschwitz alive among younger generations.

Publisher Beata Klos says times have changed and a new approach is needed.

SOUNDBITE: Beata Klos, publisher, saying (Polish):

"We stuck to historical truth because our idea is to spread knowledge about Auschwitz and the Holocaust, and we're addressing this to young people who belong to the generation of the picture rather than the word."

Further planned episodes in comic book form include the story of an inmate who entered Auschwitz in the hope of organising a resistance movement from inside.

Also a priest who volunteered to starve to death in place of a fellow prisoner.

Paul Chapman, Reuters