Best Comic Star: Free Comic

Sunday 10 June 2012

Free Comic

Louis Riel is a historical biography in comics form of Métis rebel leader Louis Riel, by Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown. It deals with Riel's antagonistic relationship with the newly-established Canadian government during the period 1869–1885. Beginning shortly before the Red River Rebellion, it ends with Riel's hanging for high treason. The book looks at the possibly schizophrenic aspect of Riel's personality—he believed God had named him Prophet of the New World, destined to lead the Métis people to freedom.The work is noted for its emotional disengagement, its intentionally flat dialogue, and a minimalist drawing style inspired by Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie. It is regarded for including a full scholarly apparatus: a foreword, index, bibliography and end notes, unusual at the time for comics. The appendix shone light on Brown's creative process and biases, highlighting where Brown changed historical facts in order to create a more engaging story. He also noted where he incorporated a conspiracy theory not widely accepted by historians, and which he himself does not necessarily believe.