The Bluecoats: Robertsonville Prison

Does the above title ring a bell with you? No? This isn't surprising, unless you're a Francophone and recognize the translated title of a much-read volume in the comic-book series "Les Tuniques Bleues."

I'm now translating this series into English for publisher Cinebook. The volume Robertsonville Prison takes its setting from the infamous Andersonville Prison, which operated during the War Between the States. "The Bluecoats" takes a humorous look at the ineptitudes, inefficiencies and incongruities of humans and their actions in wartime. It's been extremely popular over the years with the French-speaking world (the comic-book series, not war) and is making its debut in North America.

Yakari and the Stranger

One of my writing jobs is translating French comic books into English for Cinebook, the "9th art publisher." (If you know what that tagline refers to, send your explanation as a comment and I'll post it!) This fun work has introduced me to some classic Franco-Belgian comic books and graphic novels, including the beloved Yakari series by Job and Derib. Yakari is a young Sioux boy who can converse with animals. In each volume, Yakari learns a valuable life lesson through an encounter with animals.

In Yakari and the Stranger, the boy and his horse Little Thunder help a pelican that has a nasty cold. This charming story teaches a lesson, quite powerfully, about kindness--or a lack thereof--repaid.

These tales are a welcome change from the superheroes and angst that fill the pages of many popular comic books and graphic novels.