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Redcoats-ish: Jeff Martin's War of 1812
Redcoats-ish, Jeff Martin’s War of 1812 collects the complete 101 comic strip run
of a weekly web-comic featuring the misadventures of John and George, two
not so fearless men of the Canadian militia. Heeding the call to defend Canada
against the invading American army, John and George are now doing their best to
be heroes, whilst also working hard to avoid battles, marching, danger or anything
else that involves effort. This a good fun read for anyone looking for War of 1812
adventures that make you chuckle.
of a weekly web-comic featuring the misadventures of John and George, two
not so fearless men of the Canadian militia. Heeding the call to defend Canada
against the invading American army, John and George are now doing their best to
be heroes, whilst also working hard to avoid battles, marching, danger or anything
else that involves effort. This a good fun read for anyone looking for War of 1812
adventures that make you chuckle.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2014
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 28, 2018
Redcoats-ish: Jeff Martin's War of 1812 is exactly what readers of Can Lit (Canadian literature) needed, a wide-awake comedy tour-de-force that shows us that Canada's history is anything but sleepy; albeit a little bumbled in places.
How does the story work?
The Book operates as a linear story of the events of the Canadian theatre of the War of 1812 from the time the American forces first stepped on to Canadian soil through the defeat of Fort Detroit at the hands of the combined British, Indigenous and Canadian militia forces. The story is pieced together through Comic Strip gaffs and jokes about the ineptitude of the forces on all sides.
The Book is a Graphic Novel, therefore telling its story in a visual medium. In traditional visual medium style, we follow two characters, the Quebecois George and the Englishman-Canadian John, whom act as our lens (lens(es) is/are framing devices common to visual mediums such as Film and Graphic Novels).
What works?
To be quite frank, everything. The Book functions as a complete story, something very rare for single page Comic Strips patched together in to a complete collection, and it's done flawlessly.
The comedy is the central tenant of the Book, yet without interfering with, or overpowering, the cohesion of the story involved.
John and George, our two protagonists, despite existing for comedic purposes are strong characters and maintain strong, independent character traits and identifying monikers throughout.
It's Canadian history that's told as explosively, and as wryly funny, as it can often be when you peel back the layers of it. Yet, it is not a deeply involved read, it's a read that the average reader can consume very easily and fast, without being too short.
What doesn't work?
It's almost too hard to find a flaw in this Book.
The Verdict
A must for Comedy, Can Lit and History fans alike. Go out and grab a copy.
How does the story work?
The Book operates as a linear story of the events of the Canadian theatre of the War of 1812 from the time the American forces first stepped on to Canadian soil through the defeat of Fort Detroit at the hands of the combined British, Indigenous and Canadian militia forces. The story is pieced together through Comic Strip gaffs and jokes about the ineptitude of the forces on all sides.
The Book is a Graphic Novel, therefore telling its story in a visual medium. In traditional visual medium style, we follow two characters, the Quebecois George and the Englishman-Canadian John, whom act as our lens (lens(es) is/are framing devices common to visual mediums such as Film and Graphic Novels).
What works?
To be quite frank, everything. The Book functions as a complete story, something very rare for single page Comic Strips patched together in to a complete collection, and it's done flawlessly.
The comedy is the central tenant of the Book, yet without interfering with, or overpowering, the cohesion of the story involved.
John and George, our two protagonists, despite existing for comedic purposes are strong characters and maintain strong, independent character traits and identifying monikers throughout.
It's Canadian history that's told as explosively, and as wryly funny, as it can often be when you peel back the layers of it. Yet, it is not a deeply involved read, it's a read that the average reader can consume very easily and fast, without being too short.
What doesn't work?
It's almost too hard to find a flaw in this Book.
The Verdict
A must for Comedy, Can Lit and History fans alike. Go out and grab a copy.
July 30, 2022
I love that I live in a world where there are comics about Canadian history (i.e. not American or British).
February 18, 2019
This was amusing and I enjoyed reading it. I think that this would be good for someone who knows more about the War of 1812 or someone who is currently studying it. I felt like there were people or things I needed to look up while reading it to understand more of the jokes. This book is better as a companion piece to history textbooks than as a stand-alone book.
September 16, 2018
An amusing take on the War of 1812 as it takes place on the border of the United States and Canada.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews