Under the Banner of King Death
Graphic novel about pirates
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Under the Banner of King Death: Pirates of the Atlantic is a graphic novel by David Lester and Marcus Rediker.[1]
| Under the Banner of King Death | |
|---|---|
| |
| Date | 2023 |
| Publisher | Beacon Press |
| Writers | David Lester and Marcus Rediker |
| Artist | David Lester |
| Editor | Paul Buhle |
| ISBN | 978-080702398-3 |
Background
The comic book is an adaptation of Rediker's 2005 book Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age.[2] The 136 pages book was published by Beacon Press on February 7, 2023.[3][4] The book is written by David Lester and edited by Paul Buhle.[5][6] The story opens with a character named John Brown being hung for piracy.[7] The protagonists are John Gwin, Ruben Dekker, and Mary Read who are all aboard a ship called The Night Rambler.[8] Laboring as a sailor was dangerous and the leadership oppressive and violent, which often led to sailors mutinying and turning to piracy.[9] The pirates would then elect their leaders.[10]
Reception
Publishers Weekly reviewed the book saying "It's wild, often inspiring material, if a bit shallow in its attempts at mythmaking."[11]