Edgar Rice Burroughs’ 1941 historical novel I Am A Barbarian, adapted to an online strip, is now collected in a hardcover print volume.
The story, adapted to the comic strip “Sunday paper” format by writer Thomas Simmons was originally written by Burroughs in 1941, but not actually published until 1967, by Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc.
It’s Rome in AD 17: As young Britannicus is captured by Romans, he is made a personal slave of the young Caligula. But things aren’t too rosy for Brit; Caligula is a demanding master, and his mother is pure evil. However, Brit is a survivor: fighting, racing, plotting, and outguessing. And then there is the Belgian slave girl he’s fallen for!
Artist Mike Dubisch illuminates the chariot races, the vicious fights, the excess of the wealthy, the mud and the blood and the guts. Dubisch’s shows us the wardrobes, the environments, the horses, and the chains. He chooses a dark earth-colour palette and coats it all in
dusty and muddy madness.
Writer/adapter Thomas Simmons puts voice to Britannicus while Caligula becomes more and more driven and insane, declaring wars and funding them by seizing property; throwing citizens to the lions for entertainment; holding parties and killing the guests.
The art, narration, dialogue (letters by Jamal Walton), and overall tone of I Am A Barbarian are really successful in transforming historical accounts into a suspenseful tale; we feel that the situations are plausible, believable enough. It’s a beautifully packaged 236-page volume, fit for an Emperor’s library!
Copies are available directly from Cedar Run Publications:
https://cedarrunpublications.com/collections/all
HC with Slipcover, Signed Bookplate 89.95
HC with Slipcover, without Bookplate 69.95
Newsdesk