Sometimes a Civil War reenactor will don a floppy felt hat, pick up an old musket and spend a weekend in the rain chasing his beer-and-poker buddies down a hill. But if you’re Chuck Dixon and Gary Kwapisz, you’ll probably forgo the smell of soggy felt and take your action to the printed page. That’s what they’re doing with a new line of historical graphic novels. If you remember Savage Sword of Conan, then you’ve seen what happens when Chuck (Punisher, The Simpsons, Robin) works with Gary. Good stuff happens, that’s what.

Chuck and Gary have launched their own publishing company, History Graphics Press. Their first book, Civil War Adventure, is a 144-page b&w trade paperback anthology of historical Civil War stories, written by Chuck, illustrated by Gary. Stories feature the famous, guys like Winslow Homer and George Armstrong Custer and also the not-famous, guys in the trenches just trying to stay alive and help their cause. And there are lots of horses and soldiers, all beautifully and accurately illustrated by Gary. This promises to be merely the first book in a series of graphic novels on the American Civil War and American history.

I think this is a fantastic idea, and if they can get these things not only into libraries but also on sale at the various Civil War battlefield museums and souvenir shops like they have at Gettysburg, Appomattox, and so on, they’ve got a shot not just at success, but also at expanding the market.

For those who might not already know, Chuck has written just about every character imaginable, from Batman to Homer Simpson. Gary has an equally impressive range, from Conan to Harvey Pekar. He’s been doing illustration and movie work for the last decade, but his return to comics is more than welcome. If you need to know more, there’s plenty of info at the History Graphics Press website, including ordering information (you can get copies direct from the publisher).

[Artwork: a sample panel from Civil War Adventure, illustrated by Gary Kwapisz; © History Graphics Press]