Audubon

The true story of an incredible artist and adventurer: one who encapsulates the spirit of early America, when the wilderness felt limitless and was still greatly unexplored.

Throughout the first half of the 19th century , John James Audubon was America’s dominant wildlife artist. Having always drawn birds as a hobby , it wasn’t until facing bankruptcy that he decided to embark upon an epic ornithological quest across America with nothing but his artist’ s materials, an assistant, and a gun. The journey was far from easy, but the dramatic, life-sized bird portraits he produced along the way were an immediate success upon his return.
Audubon’s legacy continues to this day, particularly in the deep concerns he later voiced for the conservation of the beautiful species he depicted. His seminal work, Birds of America, is one against which 20th and 21st century wildlife artists are still measured.

“A creative reimagining of the life of a man obsessed with the American wilderness and a reminder of a time, long gone, in which birds were so plentiful that the sky went dark when they passed.--Christoph Irmscher, author of The Poetics of Natural History With soft illustrations and introspective dialogue, Audubon: On the Wings of the World guides you through his obsessive quest to gather knowledge on North America's avians.--Audubon SocietyGrolleau & Royer have created a beautiful tribute to one of America's first voices for conservation. For any student of history or lover of the natural world, setting aside an hour or two to experience this book will be well worth the time.--Historical Novel SocietyExpressive design and subtle color impart the wonder of natural discoveries on the page, accompanying a sometimes nonlinear account of his life. Royer's art holds a mirror to nature that's both idealized and surreal. [...] it's easy to empathize with the rapture at nature as portrayed in the lush, strange beauty of these pages.--Publishers WeeklyEnvironmentalists, artists, and birders will find this volume enchanting and affecting.--Library JournalThis handsome historical hardcover gives a stunning portrait of the American wilderness in the early 1800s while reminding us what artists may suffer when driven by creativity, as well as the sacrifices of those around them.--School Library JournalEverything feels rich and strange and unrestricted, much like the continent must have felt in the early 19th century, when Audubon set out on his journeys. In other words, On the Wings of the World wants to do cataract surgery on your impressions of the time, the place and central figure, and it succeeds beautifully.--Paste MagazineWhat makes this book such a fascinating read is instead of glorifying a person that was unarguably a passionate and expressive artist, it unflinchingly describes a man that was clearly a product of his time.--The QuietusGrolleau and Royer present the life of a very flawed person whose extreme efforts made lasting impact and leave you with plenty to think about regarding conservation as well as the nature of art.--Comicon.comAudubon: On the Wings of the World is a fascinating and extraordinary life story, highly recommended especially for public library graphic novel collections.--Midwest Book Review”

A creative reimagining of the life of a man obsessed with the American wilderness and a reminder of a time, long gone, in which birds were so plentiful that the sky went dark when they passed. --Christoph Irmscher, author of The Poetics of Natural History With soft illustrations and introspective dialogue, Audubon: On the Wings of the World guides you through his obsessive quest to gather knowledge on North America's avians. --Audubon Society Grolleau & Royer have created a beautiful tribute to one of America's first voices for conservation. For any student of history or lover of the natural world, setting aside an hour or two to experience this book will be well worth the time. --Historical Novel Society Expressive design and subtle color impart the wonder of natural discoveries on the page, accompanying a sometimes nonlinear account of his life. Royer's art holds a mirror to nature that's both idealized and surreal. [...] it's easy to empathize with the rapture at nature as portrayed in the lush, strange beauty of these pages. --Publishers Weekly Environmentalists, artists, and birders will find this volume enchanting and affecting. --Library Journal Everything feels rich and strange and unrestricted, much like the continent must have felt in the early 19th century, when Audubon set out on his journeys. In other words, On the Wings of the World wants to do cataract surgery on your impressions of the time, the place and central figure, and it succeeds beautifully. --Paste Magazine What makes this book such a fascinating read is instead of glorifying a person that was unarguably a passionate and expressive artist, it unflinchingly describes a man that was clearly a product of his time. --The Quietus Grolleau and Royer present the life of a very flawed person whose extreme efforts made lasting impact and leave you with plenty to think about regarding conservation as well as the nature of art. --Comicon.com

Fabien Grolleau is the cofounder of Vide Cocagne, an organisation which publishes graphic novels and comic collections. He has written and created several comics for Vide Cocagne as well as the graphic novel, Jaques a Dit.Jérémie Royer is an illustrator and designer. After studying art for two years in Nice, he specialised in comic book art and illustration in Brussels.

At the start of the 19th century, John James Audubon embarked upon an epic ornithological quest across America with nothing but his artist's materials, an assistant and a gun. Driving him through terrible storms, encounters with ferocious bears and dangerous people, Audubon's all-consuming passion for birds came to define his entire life--but what would the world make of his expressive and distinctly unscientific illustrations upon his return?

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