Northwest Passage The Annotated Collection (Hardcover)

~ Scott Chantler (Author, Artist)
Key Phrases: The Annotated, Charles Lord

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While being hyped as the greatest Canadian western comic book ever may sound like faint praise indeed, in the case of Chantler's thrilling historical adventure, it definitely is not. Categorized as young adult historical fiction, the book is a James Fenimore Cooper–styled thriller set in remote Rupert's Land, circa 1755. Fort Newcastle, an English-run trading post commanded by the stout-hearted hero Charles Lord, is overrun in a vicious sneak attack by French mercenaries looking to get rich off the fur trade. Lord and the survivors of the massacre wander the wilderness, looking for allies and plotting their revenge, while inside the captured fort, the villainous Guerin Montglave plots evil deeds. Chantler's sharp black and white artwork (replete with dramatic closeups and muscular action choreography) has a welcome precision to it, while the writing has a pulp immediacy ( 'T'ought you could 'ide, English dog?' ) which brings history to life. This collected edition of the three-issue original comes with copious and welcome annotations at the back, where Chantler discusses various plot points and historical references as well as the different styles used from one frame to the next (including one he calls his Frank Miller shot). (June)
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From Booklist

A cover from the serialized version of this story proclaimed "two-fisted historical adventure," and seldom has a product so lived up to its advertising. Chantler conflates American western mythology and British naval adventure to tell the story of the Canadian northern frontier of 1755, when British, French, and private interests competed for the lucrative fur trade. In such a large-scale epic, characterization might easily have been lost, but by focusing on the fierce enmity between Lord, a British company man and explorer, and Montglave, an amoral French privateer, the story hangs its historical facts on an emotional stake. Though Chantler assembles a huge ensemble cast with complex backstories, his expressive, fluid art brings out the personality of even such supporting characters as a Han Solo–inspired trader and a Batman-like hunter. Readers, particularly boys, looking for a rich, suspenseful, action-packed story (with some fascinating historical details) will find it here in spades. Included is a nearly book-length annotated section, discussing the book's creation. Karp, Jesse

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Oni Press (June 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932664610
• ISBN-13: 978-1932664614
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,011,079 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and artistic graphic novel, September 24, 2007

By	Sheltie Mom (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

We first saw Northwest Passage at the San Diego Comic-Con and was immediately drawn to the fabulous artistry of the author. I picked it up and started reading, and I couldn't put it down! I only stopped reading to attend a panel... The story is extremely engaging, the characters so well-developed that you KNOW them even from the very short time you meet them, the details in the drawings are marvelous. The Chantler's 'direction' of the scenes is inventive and very moving. It felt like we were watching a great movie, but we really were reading a graphic novel. We are in complete awe of the work. The only problem is that we have to wait for the next installment! If you haven't read this book, you MUST. It is amazing storytelling at its finest.

4.0 out of 5 stars been searching high and low for this book, August 20, 2009

By	Adam Griffith (San Clemente CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great story, art took a little getting used to. Id been looking for this book for awhile at comic shops with no luck. Its a good read if your into historical fiction.

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazon sent me a damaged book., January 23, 2008

By	J. Weiss - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I liked Northwest Passage. But for the third time in six months, Amazon sent me a DAMAGED book. All three just happen to have the Amazon Returns Center as the return address. STOP SENDING DAMAGED BOOKS. Look out for this.