A Treasury of Victorian Murder: The Murder of Abraham Lincoln

More Comics
A Treasury of Victorian Murder: The Murder of Abraham Lincoln
By Hervé St.Louis
June 18, 2005 - 18:22

Writer(s): Rick Geary
Penciller(s): Rick Geary
Cover Artist(s): Rick Geary

Geary’s A Treasure of Victorian Murder carefully archives within a comic book format past mysteries and famous murders. In his seventh volume, Geary deals with an American icon and tragedy, Abraham Lincoln. This graphic novel, created from from data available and research by Geary, is a historical account of the protagonists that plotted to kill Abraham Lincoln in 1865. It’s as dependable as a history book.

Historical comic books are a small genre that academics have researched. One aspect that is always critical with this genre is how objective and accurate the cartoonist is. Fortunately, Geary washed away all emotions when creating this comic book. Filled with anecdotes, his work moves forward and timely, like a locomotive. Geary focuses on facts and not on interpretation. This alone makes this book useful for history students.

Only a master storyteller could tell a story with as much historical details without making the artwork, but an add onto the narrative. Although his storytelling doesn’t maximize the use of graphics to tell the story, the visual information is presented thoroughly. As for his style, the Victorian brush with hatching effect makes this book look like a period etching.