45-60 minutes

All ages (or specific grade levels)

Options
Setup
PR Graphics
PR Posters
Preview

Drawing Freeman Colby: Adventures of a New Hampshire School Teacher in the Civil War

Join award-winning cartoonist Marek Bennett as he reads from & discusses his new graphic novel, The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby, Vol. 3, detailing the day-to-day adventures of a New Hampshire schoolteacher in the Union Army!

Drawn entirely from actual diaries, letters, sketchbooks, & more, Marek’s “epic stick figure” comics project started as a single 8-page “mini-comic,” and has now grown into a crowd-funded series featuring stories told by a diverse cast of historical characters.

Marek will show you some basic techniques for drawing nonfiction comics, and answer your questions about historical cartooning & Civil War history.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES & OPTIONS:

Signed books for sale (plus mini-comics & other merchandise)

Virtual visits available >>

COMICS WORKSHOP = Hands-on classes demonstrating how to make your own comics, based on local history sources (or otherwise). [Select age levels or family groups / 1-3 hours / 1-3 days]

SETUP & FACILITIES:

I assume the host will supply the following equipment & facilities on the date of an in-person event:

Please contact Marek with any setup questions.

  • digital projector
  • screen / display surface
  • Display paper & easel or other display surface
  • Chairs for audience
  • Table space (for merchandise display & signing)

PR GRAPHICS:

PR POSTERS:

Print, add event info, & share…

PREVIEW MATERIALS:

Patrons of Marek’s PATREON can preview the complete VOL. 3 postings here >>

Sample Adventures from VOL.s 1-3:

March through war-torn Virginia with teacher-turned-soldier Freeman Colby;

Start a Freedmen’s School with Harriet Jacobs;

Visit hospital wards & tend the wounded with volunteer nurse Sarah Low & poet Walt Whitman;

Learn how Abraham Tuckson plans to free his family from slavery;

& much more…

ALSO SEE:

From Primary Sources to Comics ➤

Building characters & storylines from multiple primary sources…