In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

On the invitation of Dr. Marco Sonzogni, Director of the New Zealand Centre for Literary Translation http://www.victoria.ac.nz/slc/nzclt, and of Dr. Sydney Shep, Director of Wai-te-Ata Press http://www.victoria.ac.nz/wtapress/, I took part in a month-long “cartoonist’s residency” at the University of Victoria of Wellington, in New Zealand. My visit was sponsored by the Canadian High Commission to New Zealand, and at their request, part of my residency involved the creation of a comics adaptation of Canada’s most iconic poem of the First World War, John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields.” Although the McCrae’s words suffer from acute over-exposure, at least in Canada, I do think they retain their capacity to move. The poem’s real strengths are however significantly undermined by the mindless jingoism of the third stanza, and my visual interpretation thus sets out to subvert these unfortunate -if admittedly memorable- last lines. McCrae1McCrae2McCrae3McCrae4

15 Responses to In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

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  2. Stephanie May says:
    April 5, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    It’s a wonderful work …I can’t repost I’m sorry I too it’s excellent art…Fix this small thing several of your O’s are done in this manner none of your I’s..if’ you break faith those who died ….

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    • julian peters comics says:
      April 6, 2017 at 2:13 pm

      Thanks! I’ve gotten this comment a couple of times. I guess I’ll go in and change it so that the lettering is more clear.

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      • Stephanie says:
        April 6, 2017 at 2:38 pm

        Normally I would never assume to tell artist what to do I still believe I am wrong but I also wanted to tell you how I felt an I think maybe others to because of what the poem itself stands for…thanks do as u will…you are a amazing artist and I’m still gonna post it ..I will wait a bit in case..thanks I am excited to go and read see more of your ART ,u r amazing.

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      • Anonymous says:
        April 6, 2017 at 2:42 pm

        I still believe a artist should not be told how to do his art and I believe I’m wrong but I guess it’s the subject matter that got me…your a amazing artist and I am so glad I found you I think what you are doing is a fantastical thing thanks I’m still posting what ever used do …thanks 🌞😵

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  5. A French visitor says:
    October 23, 2016 at 1:21 am

    The title’s illustration is great: you aptly placed and colored the poppy.

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  6. Mel Estelle says:
    July 2, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    Kia ora Julian, you’ve illustrated this poem beautifully, as you’ve done with other poems. I have rediscovered old favourites and come to appreciate others I knew only by name. Your illustrations help to bring the words alive. Thank you. I hope you enjoyed your stay in Aotearoa.

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  7. Lynne says:
    June 15, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    Oh-h-h…”…be yours to hold it high oF break faith with us who die”
    Can the writer/artist correct this? Fairly soure it should be “oR’ …
    Absolutely Love this work.

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  8. Kevin McCabe says:
    January 21, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    Hello Julian:
    This is a great way to make classic poems and other works of interest available to a younger generation. Kevin

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