In one short graphic novel Warren Ellis and Raulo Caceres bleed an amazing amount of creativity and freshness into what is basically an historical lecture. They recount the 1346 battle of Crecy between the British and French in a way that kicks in preconceptions about life in that time period, and brushes away the cobwebs of medieval history - all through a narrarator who is half Ellis, half a British soldier of the time, and half what I can only call a kind of Bill Nye the history guy (just with a lot more cursing and brutality). I know that's one too many halves but don't worry this book can contain them.
Ellis accomplishes at least three amazing things here. First, the history and interactions between the English and French leading up to this battle are presented by a character who has lived through them and been directly effected by their repercussions. Rather shrewdly he doesn't supply all this background at the beginning, but here and there throughout the book as different topics are brought up. The timing is so smooth and does a brilliant job of placing you in the moment. By the time of the actual battle you feel so familiar with the period and its people; it was like watching the match at the end of one of the good Rocky movies. I truly cared about what would happen to those soldiers.
Second, he never talks down to the reader. Just because you may not know this battle or the events surrounding it does not mean you're an idiot. This is meant for adults and it treats you like one.
Third, there is no apology. All manner of brutal doings are done in this history and not once is there an ounce of remorse. What you get is the mind set and opinions of the average British person of that time and a clear (and damned exciting) telling of what happened and when. And it doesn't shy away from atrocities. These are bald facts staring you in the face. Which is just the way I like it. Give it to me straight and I'll decide whether your actions are reprehensible or not.
Oh, and the art's none too shabby either. Caceres has a talent for panels filled with details and information that come out clean and clear - a sweet little prize when reading a comic replete with obscure items in medieval history. He's also good at facial expressions which help to remind you that people lost in history were as real and complex as anyone you know now. I haven't been this excited by a comic in awhile and there are actually quite a few good ones coming out lately. I just got sucked into this one. If you have ever enjoyed reading about an historical event even once and you don't mind a little bit of the old ultra-violence you should try this out.
