BOOKLIST --
Originally published in 2009 as <i>Crogan's March</i>,
this is the second in Oni's colorized reprints of Schweizer's historical
escapades. Told with a classic Boy's Own Adventure flair for humor and
derring-do, the series dips into multiple generations of the Crogan family, this
time focusing on French Foreign Legionnaire Peter Crogan who, in 1912, is
plunged into a battle against desert raiders. It's cracking good fun, filled
with fierce battles and daring escapes, but impressively given equal urgency is
the question of one country's right to enforce its own, perhaps more
humanitarian, political outlook on a “lesser” nation. It's a
question as sadly relevant as ever, and the quandary is given extra weight with
an ambiguous ending that sees Crogan sacrificing himself for several Arab
captives. Schweitzer's writing effectively encompasses it all at an
age-appropriate level, while his art softens the sharper edges with zany figures
and breathlessly designed action. The new color adds deeper tones (both literal
and figurative) to the proceedings, so if your library hasn't enlisted yet,
now's an excellent time.<br /><br /><br />