civil war

Library Love

| Aaron McConnell

I’m happy to announce that The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation made a best of 2013 list, thanks to Library Journal.  We’re on a short list alongside enormous talents like Peter Bagge and Gene Luen Yang.  What an honor!

In addition, I received some pictures of the exhibit in Chicago that I mentioned in my last post.  I wish I could see these large scale prints in person, but the photos will have to do for those of us not in Chicago between now and March 2, 2014.  My thanks to the Chicago Public Library and the Harold Washington Library Center for hosting the show.

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Below are pictures from earlier this year, but I thought I’d round out this graphic novel update with a snapshot that Jonathan Hennessey took at the Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington DC Sept. 21-22.  Again, looking at the surrounding books…what great company!

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I have more blog posts on a variety of topics coming this week/month, so stay tuned!  

Lanky Link’s Gettysburg Address 150th Anniversary

| Aaron McConnell

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It is for us, The Swingin’, to pick up the dues of these Fine Studs who cut out here and flieth through to Endsville…

There is all manner of reflection on the Gettysburg Address today, and I thought I’d illuminate a little Easter Egg that Jonathan Hennessey hid on page 162 of The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation.  He sent me some reference material of various memorabilia commemorating the speech to include in the above panel as I saw fit, and I included this red vinyl album for visual interest without knowing anything about “Lord” Richard Buckley.  If you aren’t familiar with his recitation of the Address you have YouTube to thank:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4u8bblgV1g

I have various links to share, and hope that you have time to check them out, so here we go:

  • Chapter 2 in its entirety (pages 31-49) available for you to read at Slate.com.
  • “The Gettysburg Address — a prescription for America’s split personality” written by Jonathan for Foxnews.com.
  • The Chicago Public Library has an exhibit of pages from the book printed at large scale in the Harold Washington Library Center.  Here’s the info and location for those who may be in Chicago sometime between now and March 2nd, 2014.
  • Interview with Jonathan on the Library of Congress Blog.
  • Jonathan will also be on WBEZ’s “Morning Shift.”  In Southern California he will be on KPCC’s “Take Two” with Alex Cohen.  Link to WBEZ interview.  Link to KPCC interview.
  • And here is a podcast that briefly recommends our book along with some other good books about the Gettysburg Address.

As always, I thank you for your interest.

50 Years Ago

| Aaron McConnell

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Commemorating the March on Washington 50 years ago today, here’s a panel from The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaption.  Below is a round-up of some of the internet buzz that the book has created since its release.  If you want to cut to the chase, these articles suggest that the book is worth your time.   It is interesting to read the different parts of the narrative that resonate with each reviewer, though.   If you only have time to read one of the following, I suggest the CBR article since it includes commentary from Jonathan Hennessey (and a little from me) about the process of creating the book and the ideas therein.

Interview

“Gettysburg Address Gets Graphic with Lincoln, Bias and The Civil War” at Comic Book Resources

Reviews

Comics Grinder

Thirteen Minutes

Multiversity Comics

George P Wood

Library Journal

Aint It Cool

Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

Announcing!…

| Aaron McConnell

…A New Website!  But before I give you the link, I’m going to build up a little anticipation with the following process art from The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation.  This is how the magic happens;)

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Now that I’ve revealed all my secrets, please go to graphicgettysburg.com to learn about the graphic novel with videos, visual annotations, essays, recommended reading and more!

Obligatory Photo Evidence

| Aaron McConnell

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It’s the “Stack of Pages” post!  If you follow blogs by comic artists you’re probably familiar with this trope.  Something a bit irksome about these IMO, probably the fact that maybe that’s just a stack of blank pages under the top one, but let me offer my assurance that I’ve finished drawing all 221 pages of The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation .  I’m working on revisions and some color improvements, but the book is still on schedule for the June 2013 release.

Also, I don’t think I’ve posted since I saw Spielberg’s Lincoln.  What an incredible movie!  Apart from the extraordinary performance from Daniel Day Lewis, it also evoked the time period in an utterly convincing way.  I was transported to the the time/place with its light, props, costumes, etc. and consequently swept up in the drama.  Seeing the photos (mostly by Mathew Brady) brought to life on screen after spending a good amount of time looking at them over the past couple years was such a treat.  The movie really energized my final push to complete the GN.  There are many parallels, unplanned of course, and I think/hope that anyone who loves Spielberg’s Lincoln will enjoy the graphic novel that Jonathan Hennessey and I have been working to create.  Expect less ornate wallpaper, but still…I’ve made an effort to bring the subject to life with authenticity in the panels.  In addition, our graphic novel brings the reader to the present day from the movie’s end.  As much of a sequel as you’re likely to see;-)