Nova Graphica: A Comic Anthology of Nova Scotia History

by Laura Ķeniņš (Editor), Emma FitzGerald, Sara Spike

More than the stereotypes of lobsters and fiddles, Canada’s “ocean playground” of Nova Scotia boasts a vibrant history of ghost stories, folklore, industry, politics, and vibrant Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ and immigrant communities. Home or formerly home to some of Canada’s biggest names in comics over the past decades, this anthology brings together 15 artists, making Nova Scotia’s history come to life through a collection of graphic stories that are spooky, funny and thought-provoking.

Nova Scotia and the Maritimes are usually neglected in the study of Canadian history. This anthology will bring offbeat stories from across the province to light in a fun, engaging and irreverent manner. Presenting Nova Scotia history in a graphic format and unique stories that aren’t taught in schools, this book will be an approachable, readable collection that appeals to readers of comics and non-fiction alike.

Contributors include: Emma Fitzgerald, Sara Spike, Rebecca Roher, Paul Hammond, Colleen MacIsaac, Kris Bertin and Alexander Forbes, Sarah Mangle, JJ Steeves, Laura Ķeniņš, Sarah Thunder and Vanessa Lent, Rebecca Thomas and Rachel Hill, Jordyn Bochon, Veronica Post, and Donald Calabrese.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Canada, Nonfiction, Anthologies, History, Graphic Novels Comics

140 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2020

About the author

Laura Ķeniņš (1985) is a Latvian comic artist, illustrator and writer, currently based in Toronto, Canada. She is interested in mythology, storytelling, pattern, architecture and creepy forests in her illustration. Her work has been exhibited in Latvia, elsewhere in Europe and in North America and published by kuš!, Kuti, Carte Blanche, The Puritan, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and other publications. Her graphic novel Steam Clean was published by Retrofit Comics.

Reviews

[George Ilsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the title, somehow I was surprised that this was an anthology. I guess I should learn how to read.

These are short pieces, some feel incomplete, others are better. I enjoyed "The Daughter of the North Mountain" but I already knew the story. I also appreciated learning more about "Viola Desmond" since I see her face on the 10 dollar bill.

There is a rather dry introduction from a historian, the tone and scope which does not quite match the contents of this anthology.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these old stories, graphic style, little slices of Nova Scotia through the years. Some sweetnesses and some of its darker sides. My favourite was “Viola Desmond Had a Dream Too” by Rebecca Roher. A story I thought I knew, but Roher’s telling goes much deeper than others, and brilliantly connects the dots between then and now. She even gets into the land deeds issue facing hundreds of Black Nova Scotian families.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this little gem from a roadside community book box. What a great find! The subject matter of the pieces in this comic anthology of Nova Scotian history varies wildly and even included a few spooky local ghost stories. Jordyn Bochon's "The Daughter of the North Mountain" was a standout, as was Rebecca Roher's piece about Viola Desmond, the history of Black settlers in Nova Scotia, and the rampant racism that still casts a dark shadow on the province. Mi'kmaw history is discussed in the intro and peeks through in some of the comics, but I was kind of surprised that there wasn't more emphasis on indigenous content (the only piece dedicated to this topic is a poem by Rebecca Thomas about how someone really needs to knock down that statue of Cornwallis already).

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful and moving anthology, with some excellent storytelling and well presented truths from Nova Scotia's past. I laughed, I cried, I learned new things and overall, I just really enjoyed this book. 4.5/5 stars

[ATLANTIC BOOK REVIEWS · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOVA GRAPHICA: A Graphic Anthology of Nova Scotia History. Edited by Laura Kenins. Published by Conundrum Press - Canada
Some of the biggest names in comics that have called Nova Scotia home have contributed to this anthology.
Nova Scotia's history comes to life through this collection of graphic stories. Nova Scotia
Each of these thought-provoking stories shows the province of Nova Scotia is more than the stereotypes of lobsters and fiddles.
Here you will find a diversity of story. Read about the Primeval Forests of Nova Scotia, the Halifax Infants' Home, The Daughter of the North Mountain, Spryfield Rocking Stone and a Five Sided House. The ghosts of grandfathers, strange apparitions and supernatural forces are all here in these stories too.
This book would be a welcome addition to high school curriculum. The works in this collection do not explicitly challenge what is known of the history of Nova Scotia, the do however present new perspectives on the past in a very accessible way. They represent familiar and unfamiliar topics in new graphic form.
Thank you Calgary Public Library for the loan.

[Keisha Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of short comics about various parts of NS history ranging from ghost stories to Viola Desmond, black activist and entrepreneur. The intro is full of information on the colonization of the province, the immigration of various peoples, the oppression of black and indigenous people, and the ideas and attitudes that surround NS. It was interesting that the Mi'kmaw people were mentioned in the intro, but not a single comic related to them.

Overall enjoyed the history of Viola Desmond and the one about the company houses in dying Cape Breton the most. Liked the artwork from the first ghost story.

[Robert Hudder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a few things. The stories are kept short and concise so that there is never time to get bored or too much time to build up distaste. Given the general quality, I am not even sure that if most of the page lengths had been doubled that they would have been at risk of being turned off.

Maybe that sounds like a gentle putdown but it isn't especially in comic anthologies which are often uneven. A bad foot forward means you are only looking at the stumble. There is not stumble here and good on the editor for this.

[Gabrielle Bellemare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ouvrage très intéressant qui permet d'en apprendre plus sur l'histoire de la province. Par contre, certaines propositions tombent à l'eau, car elles nous semblent être des "inside jokes" pour les personnes qui habitent ce territoire et ce n'est pas mon cas
Aussi, certaines parties de l'histoire avec un grand H sont romancé (technique littéraire qui est défendue par le collectif d'auteurs-trices dans l'introduction) ce qui m'a moins plus.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nova Graphica is a really interesting, solid graphic anthology of Nova Scotia history, offering up a variety of history and folklore, some of which is little known. As with any anthology, some of the stories stand out more than others, but they're all really solid and unconventional looks into the province's history. My personal favourite was The Daughter of the North Mountain by Jordyn Bochon, but there was plenty else to enjoy here. Recommended!

[Kaitlyn Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really liked this “light” read. Light as in volume, not subject matter. Highly recommend to all Nova Scotians as a quick little infographic mini series of history lessons, or any one wanting to know about Nova Scotia culture.

[Rao · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favourite. Could have been longer to better represent the plethora of cultures we have in NS. (Also not a fan of the foreward/intro/blurb painting gaelic culture negatively and as a mere caricature.....)

[Raechel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed this. It takes a look at Nova Scotia history, especially the smaller moments of history. I liked the different artist styles in both art and writing.

[Merenwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like some of the comics have nuances that you wouldn't understand unless you're a Nova Scotian, but it's still a good read.

[Chinook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this history of common and important people. I don’t know all that much about Nova Scotia, so this was interesting. I also enjoy the format of short graphic story anthologies.

[Michael Fredericks]

I haven't read this book yet although I just purchased it. I just want to mention that that the subtitle is not correct. It should read "graphic" not "comic".