Reviewed by Meghan Sullivan
In a rush of great public resistance to an oppressive and excessive government, a homegrown militia movement is formed in rural America. This is not 2015, but 1775. With the war for independence playing out across the colonies, young Seth and Mercy Abbott find their new marriage tested at every turn, as the demands of the frontlines and the home front collide.
Dark Horse Comics - Rebels #1
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Andrea Mutti
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Cover Artist: Tula Lotay
The latest book from Brian Wood (Star Wars, The Massive, Conan), Rebels, begins with a disclaimer:
Rebels is a story of historical fiction, and in some places time and events have been compressed to fit the narrative, and some key historical figures appear in locations where perhaps they never were. The writer assumes all responsibility.
As you’ve probably gathered Rebels is about history, the history of our American War for Independence to be exact. On Brian Wood’s website we get the following explanation:
“In a rush of great public resistance to an oppressive and excessive government, a homegrown militia movement is formed in rural America. This is not 2014, but 1775. With the War For Independence playing out across the colonies, young Seth and Mercy Abbott find their new marriage tested at every turn, as the demands of the front lines and the home front collide. Not merely re-hashing the tales of the most famous men of the times, REBELS tells the epic story of all the colonists, the explorers and traders, the wives and daughters, the farmers and the volunteer soldiers who, in a few short, very turbulent years, created the brand new nation of America.”
The series was announced at San Diego Comic Con last year and is finally making its debut.
The main story is drawn by Andrea Mutti, who’s collaborated with Brian Wood on DMZ and Conan The Barbarian. Jordie Bellaire, who colored The Massive and Mara, is also on the book, as is letterer Jared K. Fletcher. Tula Lotay is painting the covers. Rebels #1 begins with a son, Seth, being taught by his father, Jacob, how to see down the barrel of a gun in the forest in New Hampshire, how to see more than just the trees, how to see the red coats specifically. Rebels #1, A Well Regulated Militia, is Part 1 of 6 “in which young Seth Abbott is introduced to the war of independence and plays a pivotal role.”
Rebels is exactly the kind of book a history buff will drool over. It’s also the kind of book non-history buffs will love too because it’s a story well-told. The colors are crisp and the typeset for the voiceover texts is suitably old-fashioned. The art is gorgeous and suitable epic for the tale being told, a story of the people behind a momentous part of our history. And just so get a taste of what is to come from Rebels…check out this Instagram image posted by Brian Wood:
Rebels #1 will be released on April 8, 2015
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