Its success played a major part in gaining shelf space for serious graphic novels in mainstream North American bookstores.
The serialization sold poorly, but the book version was a surprise bestseller. It was critically well received, and won three Harvey Awards. The series was the first comic book to receive a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.
Brown became interested in the issue of property rights while researching the book, which led to a public change in his politics from anarchism to libertarianism.Īlthough Brown intended it to be published only in book form, Louis Riel was initially serialized in ten issues between 19. The lengthy, hand-lettered appendix provides insight on Brown's creative process and biases, highlighting where he changed historical facts to create a more engaging story, such as incorporating a conspiracy theory not widely accepted by historians.
Unusual for comics of the time, it includes a full scholarly apparatus: a foreword, index, bibliography and end notes. The work is noted for its emotional disengagement, its intentionally flat dialogue, and a minimalist drawing style inspired by that of Harold Gray's comic strip Little Orphan Annie. The book explores 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. It begins shortly before the 1869 Red River Rebellion, and ends with Riel's 1885 hanging for high treason. It deals with Métis rebel leader Louis Riel's antagonistic relationship with the newly established Canadian government. Louis Riel is a 2003 historical biography in comics by Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown. Cover to the first edition of Louis Riel ( Drawn and Quarterly, 2003)
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