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Lillian the Legend October 2008 This graphic novel is a fascinating historical drama about a pioneering Russian immigrant in the 1920s. Lillian Alling gets off the boat at Ellis Island then works as a seamstress in the factories of New York. Homesick and determined she sets out on an epic journey to get back to Russia with nothing but an iron bar for protection. She walks the Telegraph Trail to Dawson City, Yukon, and eventually floats down the Yukon River to the Bering Sea where her fate becomes shrouded in mystery. Byrne’s historical narrative in comics form can be compared to David Collier or Chester Brown’s Louis Riel. She renders Alling’s journey in meticulous inks, from sweeping landscapes to the tiniest detail, without missing a beat. Also included in this artist’s first book are reproductions of her mini-books featuring other Northern tall tales and stories about various odd jobs. The story of Lillian Alling has recently been chronicled in fiction by Amy Bloom (Away) and in non-fiction by Cassandra Pybus (The Woman Who Walked to Russia: A Writer’s Search for a Lost Legend) and will be featured as part of the Vancouver Opera’s 2010 season.
Please note: the image above is not the actual cover.
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Kerry Byrne grew up near the Rockies and began a degree in fine art at the Alberta College of Art and Design. She completed her degree at NSCAD University in Halifax where she was also the recipient of a CBC illustration award and exhibited at eyelevel gallery and the Anna Lenowens Gallery. While living in Dawson City Byrne was inspired by the legend of Lillian Alling and also expanded her origami-shaped zine series which was nominated for an Expozine Alternative Press Award in 2007. Currently she is completing a Masters in Art Education degree at Concordia University, due to her interest and experience working as a youth educator in artist run centres, museums and galleries.
