Jonathan Hennessey, the writer I’ve collaborated with for three graphic novels, posted a 15 page excerpt from our Gettysburg Address Adaptation on his blog in honor of MLK Day. Please go HERE to read this insightful examination of the battle for civil rights following the end of the Civil War. 
Gettysburg
New BoingBoing Review
The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation sat in my pile for too long, and it shouldn’t have. I loved The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation, the previous effort by Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell, so I should have anticipated how good this new one would be.”
Some folks are just getting around to reading The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation, like author/critic Cory Doctorow. Here’s his thoughtful review of the book: http://boingboing.net/2014/04/04/the-gettysburg-address-a-grap.html#more-295886
Library Love
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.
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!
I have more blog posts on a variety of topics coming this week/month, so stay tuned!
Lanky Link’s Gettysburg Address 150th Anniversary
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
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
July 3rd, 150 Years Ago
Below are 3 preview pages from The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation found in the chapter “We are met on a great battlefield of that war.” Evidently some 20,000 people are on that battlefield today commemorating Day 3 of the battle at Gettysburg. If you’re looking for more preview pages online I suggest the “Look Inside” feature on amazon.com for over 30 preview pages from the introduction.
Review at Multiversity Comics
…And at a more basic level, it’s just good comics, deftly constructed and maintaining an engaging balance between textual and visual information.
Quoted from an honest, thoughtfully considered review of The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation at MultiversityComics.com. That quote is profoundly meaningful to me because it articulates my highest priority in illustrating non-fiction comics. To hear that it’s working as intended is absolutely satisfying.
“Available Wherever Books are Sold”
I received my author comps in the mail this morning on this official release day of The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation. I’m very happy with the print quality and it’s satisfying to have it in hand after putting years of work into the project. I hope you get a chance to read it soon and I’d be interested to hear your impressions. Thoughtful reviews on amazon.com are also much appreciated. Speaking of reviews, there are already two starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly. Go to graphicgettysburg.com to read the reviews, if you like. Thank you for your interest!
The Latest
News! I will be drawing Part 2 and 3 of a 3 part story adaptation of Robert E Howard’s Dark Agnes published in the Dark Horse anthology Savage Sword #6. I stopped by a comic shop yesterday and had to look in the back issues for Savage Sword #5 released in August 2012. Here’s a preview of 5 that includes a couple pages from Dark Agnes Part One drawn by Francesco Francavilla. I’ve been a fan of Francavilla’s pulpy artwork and couldn’t be happier to fill in for him on this adaptation. In addition, the adaptation is written by Periscope Studiomate Paul Tobin! Paul and I went to a Portland dive and smashed flagons of ale over each other’s morions to get in the right frame of mind for this tale. (Maybe I only imagined we did that, because in actuality the book was late to press and I started working on the pages immediately after I got the script. It’s all a blur whether the ale is to blame or not.) I’ve been approved to post preliminary drawings for the story here on my blog, so I’ll get that rolling with a character sketch of Agnes in the forest!
More News!! The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation will be released next week! Here’s a link to the listing on the HarperCollins website. There are already some favorable reviews that will become public very soon, but in the meantime may I remind you of the excellent website with videos, annotations and more available at graphicgettysburg.com Below is another process image from the book: Inks to final colors. But I don’t have my comps yet, and if you pre-ordered a book there’s a possibility you’ll get your copy before I do…(I’m making this up, just tryin’ to keep things exciting here at aamcconnell.com…truthfully I know nothing about the distribution process.)
And speaking of printing, I’ve been enjoying these delightful teaser images of 13th Age going to print courtesy of Pelgrane Press. One day I’d like to actually visit a print shop when one of my books is being printed, but I have a feeling printing people like to keep illustrators removed from that process to avoid any unreasonable demands or unnecessary interruptions. These pics, though, are giving me an appreciation of the process from afar. Also, there’s a new review of 13th Age at RPG.net. Spoiler…they like it.
And finally, here’s an illustration I did for a start up gaming company Unrestrained Games. “Orc of the Spires” (aka “Lord of the Flies” since orcs are basically teenage hulks). Thanks for following my blog!
Aaron McConnell 