Dystopias have long been a staple of young adult novels. But Brazilian comic O Doutrinador shows gritty fantasy can be just as relevant to adults. It’s an example of how pop culture can entertain and simultaneously serve as an outlet for political frustration and feelings of disenfranchisement.

In tough political and economic times, Brazilians used the 2017 carnival celebrations to make their voices heard. The events demonstrate how politics can change people’s attitudes and behaviours – in this case, turning something that is typically a celebratory event into a stage for protest.

Young Brazilians who identify with traditional religious, societal and family values have become more vocal in recent years, expressing their views on everything from politics to drugs to sexuality both online and offline. But who are these new conservatives, and what’s driving their beliefs?

Brazil is home to 21 of the 50 most violent cities in the world, with drug trafficking, gang wars, political instability and poverty all fuelling the country’s high crime rates. How are regular Brazilians reacting to persistent urban violence? And how does crime affect their lifestyles?