Robert Smalls: Civil War Hero & New Comic Book
‘Defiant’ Graphic Novel Spotlights Robert Smalls’ Civil War Hero Role
Robert Smalls, a civil War hero who daringly commandeered a Confederate ship to freedom, is the subject of a new graphic novel trilogy. Writer and producer Rob Edwards is partnering with Stranger comics and Legion M to publish “Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls.” The first installment was released June 10.
Smalls’ audacious 1862 escape involved stealing the Planter, a Confederate vessel, navigating it past Confederate defenses, and surrendering it to the Union Navy. He and 15 other enslaved people gained their freedom. Smalls later served as the ship’s pilot.
Edwards said he hopes the graphic novel will elevate Smalls to the level of other 19th-century heroes like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. He noted the importance of portraying Smalls’ story accurately and with depth to reach a younger audience.
Edwards envisions the trilogy covering Smalls’ multifaceted life: his escape, his time as an entrepreneur and speaker, and his five terms in Congress, where he championed public education.