A graphic novel epic of the American Civil War… Drawn from actual diaries, letters, sketchbooks, & more!
The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby, Vol. 4 (1864) 🆕
JUNE-JULY, 1864: Freeman Colby rejoins his regiment for one last march on Richmond, but there’s no end in sight to the wider struggle…
Marek Bennett’s historical graphic novel series details the adventures of NH school teacher Freeman Colby & several contemporaries in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. Drawn entirely from primary source accounts, it portrays the day-to-day realities faced by a diverse cast of participants between 1861-1865.
Press Kit | School Book Orders | Hardcovers + Class Sets
HONORS:
THE MAKING OF…
“Drawing Freeman Colby” Presentations w/ Cartoonist Marek Bennett
A behind-the-scenes look at creating of the award-winning graphic novels!
“Drawing Freeman” / Historical New Hampshire (Vol. 71 No. 1)
Full color cover article on drawing Stick Figure Civil War comics.
Freeman Colby Vol. 3: 1864 Poster Art & Source Book
🎨See the full-color original poster art, alongside the period visual sources that inspired it!
Freeman Colby: From Primary Sources to Comics
Gallery of sources & the comics they inspired!
How to Draw FREEMAN COLBY
Here’s how I create my FREEMAN COLBY graphic novels, from panels to pages to poster art & more!
Freeman Colby Vol. 3 Art Gallery
Sample poster art & sources from the 1864 adventures of Freeman Colby & Co. …
Freeman Colby Vol. 2 Poster Gallery
Sample full-color art from the 1863 adventures of Freeman Colby & Co. …
RECENT POSTS:
Freeman Colby Vol. 4 Poster+Page Gallery
Sample poster art & sources from SUMMER 1864 …
INKING: Battle of the Crater 💥 (30 July 1864)
Inking a 2-page spread from Freeman Colby Vol. 4…
“Is It FICTION or NON-FICTION?” (2025)
Short answer: IT’S NON-FICTION. // Real answer: IT’S COMPLICATED!
“USCT: United States Colored Troops” (1863-1865) 📖 8p MINI
“In a contest with oppression, the Almighty cannot take sides with oppressors.”…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
nice
Marek Bennett, you are a genius! I read book one of Freeman Colby last year and loved it. Just started book two. It is amazing that you can make stick figures so expressive, and wonderful that you brought this person’s experiences to life. Thank you for your work! Jason Grams, Iowa
Thank you JG! I’m so glad you found these books. As you’ll see, each volume uses a different approach (to suit the source materials & voices involved) — You’ll meet a lot more storytellers as you go! Enjoy… ~ m
PS. I’m drawing Vol. 5 right now over @ the Patreon >>