Rather than the traditional method of drawing complete pages, Brown draws individual panels without regard for page composition and assembles them into pages after completion.

His later works employ a sparse drawing style and flat dialogue. īrown draws from a range of influences, including monster and superhero comic books, underground comix, and comic strips such as Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie. Paying for It (2011) drew controversy as a polemic in support of decriminalizing prostitution, a theme he explored further with Mary Wept Over the Feet of Jesus (2016), a book of adaptations of stories from the Bible that Brown believes promote pro-prostitution attitudes among early Christians. Surprise mainstream success in the 2000s came with Louis Riel (2003), a historical-biographical graphic novel about rebel Métis leader Louis Riel. Two graphic novels came from this period: The Playboy (1992) and I Never Liked You (1994). After bringing Ed to an abrupt end, he delved into confessional autobiographical comics in the early 1990s and was strongly associated with fellow Toronto-based cartoonists Seth and Joe Matt, and the contemporary autobiographical comics trend. He gained notice in alternative comics circles in the 1980s for the surreal, scatological Ed the Happy Clown serial. (Nov.Chester William David Brown (born ) is a Canadian cartoonist.īrown has gone through several stylistic and thematic periods. This is an ingenious comic and a major achievement. Instead, Brown calmly lets his story unfold, making the reading process deeply affecting. All of this will hook readers' minds and eyes, but never tell them what to think or feel. He brilliantly renders a lengthy courtroom sequence by setting figures against a black background, heightening the tension of the events by employing minimal effects. And while the book concerns imperialism, empire, nationalism and the chaos that results, Brown maintains a still, almost silent atmosphere. Brown doesn't deviate from a six-panel grid for the entire book, telling his story in a cartoon realism style reminiscent of Little Orphan Annie Not surprisingly, this request is denied, and the conflict is set in motion that ultimately consumes Riel's life. Riel is bilingual and becomes a de facto leader for the Red River Settlement, demanding the right for them to govern themselves within Canada. The area is inhabited by the French-speaking Métis, of mixed Indian and white ancestry, who are looked down upon by the Canadians. The story begins in 1869, with the sale of the independent Red River Settlement area of what's now Canada to the Canadian government.

Over five years in the making, Brown's work is completely realized here, from the strikingly designed two-color cover to the cream-colored paper and pristinely clear drawings.

Brown's exploration of the life of a fictional 19th-century Canadian revolutionary Riel is a strong contender for the best graphic novel ever.

Louis riel by chester brown