Historicals, Graphic Style

by Joan Baril

In my dear old Hippie days I used to read comics: R. Crumb’s Mr. Natural, Gilbert Sheldon’s  Furry Freak Brothers  and Rand Holmes’ Harold Hedd sagas which I found in the Georgia Straight, Vancouver’s alternative newspaper. 

Rand Holmes, creator of the Harold Hedd Comix

In the 80’s, a Japanese friend introduced me to a recently translated  historical,  Keiji Nakazawa's Barefoot  Gen, an autobiographical story of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.  I marveled at the power of combination:  well researched history, well drawn comix and good writing.

Next came Chester Brown’s Louis Riel, which some consider the best graphic novel ever.  Brown’s clean straightforward drawings match his impeccable history and his excellent writing.  It took Brown five years to research the material which outlines the life and death of one of the most tragic figures in history.