Authors: Lambil & Cauvin
Age: 8 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
ISBN: 9781800441248
£8.99 incl VAT
Publication: January 2024
https://www.cinebook.co.uk/the-bluecoats-17-the-draft-riots-p-4538.html
The Civil War rages on. Despite some much-needed victories, losses have been harrowing on the Union side, and volunteers are getting scarce. That leaves conscription, but it’s an extremely unpopular measure – especially because of the possibility to avoid it by paying a sum of money only the rich can afford. Yet the North has little choice but to maintain it … and this is how, in July 1863 in New York City, simmering resentment turns into bloody rioting – with Blutch and Chesterfield caught in the tragic events.
The one thing I like about The Blue Coats is that it could just have been another American Civil War series but they have chosen to delve into some little known aspects of the conflict -with Blutch and Chesterfield added of course. The Draft Riots may come as a surprise to many because people think a military draft is more modern era when in fact it is quite ancient. I have not seen any films based in this period where there is talk of military draft. In fact most films portray it as a volunteers only fighting for one supposed cause or another. Normal human beings do not really want to kill other human beings -sadly they are not in the majority.
To call the art "cartoony" is a little insulting because although the people are not really cartoony they do have that style used by European artists even in very serious stories. Look at the details in the cover -the buildings and cobblestones are quite detailed. Inside the backgrounds and scenes are equally detailed and it all works well together. The colour work (by Leonardo who I will probably find is a digital service) really adds more to this book. I have seen printings in French as well as the original German (😂) and I have to say Cinebook's is probably the best quality I have seen -no surprise since printing technology has moved on over the last couple decades.
I think that this series is okay for younger and older readers and the books have so far not disappointed.
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