Northwest Passage: The Annotated Collection

Writer and Illustrator Scott Chantler
Publisher: Oni Press

For the past 2 years I have been looking for a decent job so I could essentially get on with my life and get my own place to live. As I have detailed before in previous posts, about 5 months ago I got a decent job(which I'm still enjoying) and I have begun saving money to move. Also in the past 2 years I have been building up my collection of Comics/Trade Paperbacks/Graphic Novels. I have brought some trades that I have heard of and others which I have no idea about such as Northwest Passage: The Annotated Collection. I was lucky enough to find the book in my local Oxfam(A Charity Shop)for 99p, which I have to say was an absolute steal!!

The story is set in 1755 in Fort Newcastle, which is based in Rupert's Land which was a territory in British North America,now more commonly known Canada and a small part of the USA. The story revolves around Fort Newcastle which is savagely captured by invading French forces seeking to control the fur trade and the fabled Northwest Passage. Fort Newcastle's governor is Charles Lord, who is intending to retire and possibly discover the Northwest passage. This does not go to plan although because of the invading French forces. Charles Lord is luckily informed of this invasion by his old friend and colleague Eagle Eye (Indian Shaman) although he is unable to make a proper stand against the invading forces of the French. Charles and a band of his surviving soldiers, trackers,explorers and old friends set forth on a mission to claim back Fort Newcastle from the French and his old enemy from the past... Montglave!!

I really enjoyed this book and at first I thought it was based on actual fact but on further reading I have found out that its all fictional but certain elements are based on fact. The cast of characters was great as there was only about 10 main characters that the reader follows and all of them got enough time in the book to show who they are and what they are in the book for. I would love to see the characters earlier adventures at some point but I don't know if we ever will. My favourite character in the book would have to be John Blackmoon, a mysterious man who seems to blend into his surroundings and is detrimental to claiming Fort Newcastle back.


The artwork in this book is what attracted me to buying it. It reminded me of the artwork from the 90s Batman Animated series. Whilst reading the book I started to notice how much hard work Scott Chantler put into the book. The artwork is black and white although im sure at times when reading the book my mind's eye started picturing colours to every thing in the book. The writing in the book is amazing because there are numerous story threads going through out the book and it was great seeing how they all tied together. There is mystery, deception and war featured through out the story. Once I sat down with the book in my hand I could not put it down. It really reminded me of watching old western/war films when I younger but a lot more enjoyable.
Also there is a lot of back up material which is annotations for certain pages with in the book and details where the Scott's inspiration came from. I'm currently in the middle of reading these but so far they have been very insightful.
With certain comics based with in history, I have encountered difficulty before(See the post on Red Prophet) and it has put me off from reading them as there is far too much information contained with in them. Northwest Passage though was a joy to read because, whilst there is a lot information in the book, it is given to you once or twice and goes from there, it does not dwell on it. The artwork while detailed is not not over the top and is very clean cut and easy to define. Although it appears cartoony it works very well with the story.

A great intriguing read and a lot of fun.