eBook Wheeling – Complete

This is Hugo Pratt’s first great masterpiece, both for its graphic design and for the subject matter; that is, the 18th century American War of Independence involving the settlers and  French and English interests in the northeastern part of the country. It is a veritable hymn to the great adventure narrative, in this case expanded by the many Indian tribes in the territory, unreliable allies prone to switch sides.
In this work, Pratt takes advantage of his excellent knowledge of historical events, so that alongside the two adolescents, Criss Kenton from Virginia and Patrick Fitzgerald, an English aristocrat, we find historical personalities such as Lew Wetzel, an Indian killer whose face is scarred by smallpox; the white renegade Simon Girty (whom Hugo Pratt endowed with his own likeness), the gruff but honest Ebenezer Zane, founder of Wheeling; Daniel Boone, one of the boldest pioneers of the era; and Madame Montour, interpreter and agent of the Indian Department. There is no doubt that Pratt always favored this saga; indeed, he came back to it on various occasions, finally completing it a year before he died.

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eBook Wheeling – Vol. 1

1774. Criss Kenton, a 17 year old who has fled Virginia after the massacre of his family by the Indians, and Patrick Fitzgerald, an English aristocrat who has immigrated to America, make each other’s acquaintance while participating in a series of organized raids on Indian tribes. During one of these raids they meet Mohena, a young woman who has been raised by the Shawnees.  As their adventures unfold, the friendship between Criss and Pat grows stronger, but soon the War of Independence against England breaks out and the two friends find themselves on opposing sides. A great story of friendship and loyalty, Wheeling leaves ample room for History, as many of its characters actually existed. In that regard, Pratt said, “In Wheeling, as in other stories, I try to imagine something imaginary embedded in the context of precise historical references. But at times the truth is more surprising than the imagination.” (Hugo Pratt, All’Ombra di Corto)

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eBook Wheeling – Vol. 2

In this volume we find Criss and Mohena, the two heroes of the first story, heading back to Wheeling. But the War of Independence is still raging, and Criss will soon have to have to depart once more on a mission, leaving the girl Mohena alone again. Being a spy is not easy, and Criss often has to count on his old friends in order to succeed. “Pratt’s novels are not made to be read in small doses. By doing that, you would miss half or more of the richness of these books, because what makes Pratt’s work unique is the environment, recreated with his drawing style and the play of black and white, which you have to sink into gradually. The author rarely gives us a mere story: rather, he offers us a universe.” (Yves Marchal, Media Animation, November 1978).

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