Oyster War

by Ben Towle

Overview

Ben Towle’s critically acclaimed, Eisner-nominated comic finally comes to print! In the coastal town of Blood's Haven, the economy runs on oysters. Oyster farming is one of the most lucrative professions, but also the most dangerous. Not just from the unforgiving ocean and its watery depths—there are also oyster pirates to worry about! Commander Davidson Bulloch and his motley crew are tasked with capturing these ne'er-do-wells—but they don't know that Treacher Fink, the pirates' leader, possesses a magical artifact that can call forth a legendary spirit with the power to control the sea and everything in it!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620102633
Publisher:	Oni Press
Publication date:	10/07/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	83 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

Editorial Reviews

07/13/2015
Towle (Amelia Earheart: This Broad Ocean) tells a tale of magic, adventure, and seafood in this clever book. Oysters are the cornerstone of the economy in Blood’s Haven, a small 19th-century hamlet overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Business is booming—but not all who ply the waters have pure intentions. Pirates have been dredging the bay for as many oysters as they can find, heedless of the devastation their practices will bring to the oyster population in a scant few years. In response, the Oyster Navy is created: a motley band of immigrants, veterans, and bare-knuckle boxers willing to risk it all for the future of the oyster trade. Rumor has it, however, that the pirates are after something much more valuable than oysters, something that could grant them dominion over the bay. This charming tale is particularly successful in blending history and folklore. Towle’s character designs and use of color are especially memorable—every single page is wonderfully vibrant, with a strong cast of oddball characters. Occasionally muddled battle scenes don’t detract from what is overall a wonderfully lively and imaginative yarn. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

BOOKLIST-Towle (Midnight Sun, 2008) dives into a rich historical fantasy in his latest graphic novel. Commander Bulloch, late of the
Confederate Submarine Battery Service, has arrived in Blood's Haven to take command of the Oyster Navy and put an end to piracy devastating the oyster beds of Chesapeake Bay. Pirate Treacher Fink has gone beyond scraping the oyster beds clean; rumor has it he has found a magical urn that gives him control over every creature in the sea, and Bulloch and his crew must stop him before he unleashes that power. Towle's ample cast of characters are each distinct and well designed with stylish, exaggerated shapes, and the humor is silly enough to break the tension. In panels with plenty of breathing room, the vibrant colors, full of purples, lavenders, and deep reds, and vivid seafaring details make the scenes come alive. Combining well-researched but little-known facts with fable-rich elements, such as selkies, ghost captains, hidden treasure, and sea serpents,
Towle has crafted a dynamic adventure that is as delightful as it is exciting.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY-Towle (Amelia Earheart: This Broad
Ocean) tells a tale of magic, adventure, and seafood in this clever book.
Oysters are the cornerstone of the economy in Blood's Haven, a small
19th-century hamlet overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Business is booming-but not all who ply the waters have pure intentions. Pirates have been dredging the bay for as many oysters as they can find, heedless of the devastation their practices will bring to the oyster population in a scant few years. In response,
the Oyster Navy is created: a motley band of immigrants, veterans, and bare-knuckle boxers willing to risk it all for the future of the oyster trade.
Rumor has it, however, that the pirates are after something much more valuable than oysters, something that could grant them dominion over the bay. This charming tale is particularly successful in blending history and folklore.
Towle's character designs and use of color are especially memorable-every single page is wonderfully vibrant, with a strong cast of oddball characters.
Occasionally muddled battle scenes don't detract from what is overall a wonderfully lively and imaginative yarn.

From the Publisher

10/01/2015
Gr 5–8—Set in the late 1800s, this is the tale of a local war raged between a budding seaside city and a group of pirates. The cause is oysters. As in many towns on the Chesapeake Bay during that period, the oyster industry was booming and many wanted a piece of the profits. Towle makes this subject accessible for kids by throwing in secret islands, mythological sea creatures, and, of course, swashbuckling pirates. His exuberant illustrations and vibrant colors bring to life this fictional story, which has a twinge of camp mixed with a whole lot of adventure, humor, and fantasy. Stylistically, the illustrations and storytelling harken back to comics from the early 20th-century, such as Popeye and The Adventures of Tintin. Overall, this is a fun read that reveals a little-known slice of American history. What is especially helpful is a description of Towle's inspirations in the afterword. Here is where young readers learn what parts of the story are based on real events. VERDICT A strong secondary purchase for middle school graphic novel collections.—Jaclyn Anderson, Madison County Library System, MS

School Library Journal