The British Are Coming, Graphic Novel Adaptation
It seems like the Burning of Falmouth is been largely forgotten today, in an era
when politicians nourish historical grievances over atrocities, both real and
exaggerated, in order to politically exploit them. Yet, our young nation
suffered such British war crimes during the years that led up to 1776 (but that doesn't interest those politicians). While news
of these outrages stoked patriotic fervor, incompetent leadership undermined the
Continental Army on the battlefield—like Benedict Arnold, even before, you know.
On the other hand, George Washington
inspired confidence, but he desperately needed supplies. At least these are the
major themes that stand out from the graphic novel adaptation of the first part
of the first book in Rick Atkinson’s Revolution Trilogy, the third of
which has yet to be published. Obviously, there is much more to come, but Nora
Neus started the process of translating Atkinson’s history into a sequential
graphic format in The British Are Coming: The Graphic Edition, Vol. 1,
illustrated by Federico Pietrobon, which releases tomorrow.
Aptly,
it starts with the Boston Tea Party. Back then, Boston hated paying taxes, especially
without representation. Over in England, Parliament considered the Colonies a revenue
center, so they levied new taxes accordingly. The Coercive Acts were passed and
Boston was specifically targeted to make it an example. Instead of submitting,
the other Colonies rallied to support the city. Against this backdrop, the
Royal Navy’s bombardment of Falmouth generated sufficient outrage to convince
most middle of the road Colonists the it was time to dissolve their political bonds
to the British Empire.
Obviously,
the graphic edition was conceived with the Semiquincentennial celebration in
mind. Indeed, why let all that good space on bookstore theme tables go to
waste? In this case, it will be a worthy use of the publisher’s coop money.
Atkinson’s history is solid (and so far, free of Progressive ad hominem attacks
on the Founding Fathers). Washington is rightly praised and Arnold is appropriately
scorned.
Pietrobon’s
art is also classy, as well as appropriately detailed. It is not vintage Hal
Foster-level, but Foster fans should appreciate the clean lines and period
realism. However, Neus employs an odd technique, whereby historical figures
break the third wall to offer their commentary, seemingly direct to the readers.
Presumably, it is an attempt to recreate the dramatic narration of letters and
primary documents, as popularized by Ken Burns documentaries, in a graphic
novel context. However, there ought to be footnotes to identify who is talking
and where these quotations were drawn from.
Regardless, the art well
suits the history and the history makes fitting reading for America’s 250th.
So far, it provides a more complex and even-handed history than what the media has
provided during the 2020’s. Recommended for young readers, The British Are
Coming: The Graphic Edition, Vol. 1 goes on-sale tomorrow (6/2) at
retailers.
