With the release of Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage graphic novel next week from Abrams ComicArts, we are delighted to be joined by artist and writer Steve Cuzor.
Hi Steve, it’s so wonderful to have you here with us.
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Steve Cuzor, I’m French, and I’m 54 years old. When I was little, I had two dreams: to become a rodeo cowboy and a comic book artist. In the 90s, I had a very serious car accident in France, and as a result, I went to Texas, to the Fort Worth area (Cowtown Coliseum, Kowbell Mansfield…) to be a Bull Rider for three years. I published my first comic at the age of 25, the same year my son was born in Paris, and I became president of a parent-run daycare for three years. It’s been 29 years since I’ve left my drawing table, living off comics.
Could you tell us how you were introduced to The Red Badge of Courage?
I discovered Red Badge in the USA, but I only read it 10 years ago. I thought it would be just another story about the American Civil War, but I discovered a magnificent writer! He doesn’t tell the story of the war, he doesn’t focus on political stakes, and he doesn’t tell the story of a soldier — he tells what a soldier feels. I thought that was very modern! In my opinion, it’s Stephen Crane who invented this new way of telling a story, like cinema with a handheld camera, and that was in 1895. We share the same initials, SC, with 100 years between us, 1871-1971… Red Badge was written for me, Ha Ha Ha!
Could you tell us about the origins of The Red Badge of Courage graphic novel?
For the graphic novel adaptation, I started by sorting through all the themes that Crane addressed to keep only the one that interested me the most: disillusionment. It starts with waiting, which leads to anxiety, then fear, followed by cowardice, lies, madness, and finally, suicidal courage… That was my battle plan, and I had only one weapon: the Raphael No. 8404 brush, size 0 for details, size 5 when I didn’t want to focus on details. Now, I had to bring all of this to life in images — good luck with that.
What sort of research did you carry out?
A lot of research: photos from the period, films, filmed reports, reenactments by Civil War enthusiasts. I immersed myself in all of that before starting to be sure I knew where I was going. In the end, I only used 10% of my research.
Visually, what was your aim for the graphic novel?
I wanted to be very close to the characters, just like in Crane’s novel, and have the settings reflect the soul of Henry Fleming: contrasting, oppressive, tortured.
How did Abrams ComicArts get involved with The Red Badge of Courage graphic novel?
They sent me plenty of interviews to do, it’s a great team, we’re going to get along well.
You created the art for The Red Badge of Courage graphic novel. What part of that process did you enjoy the most?
When I wrote the word “THE END” on the last page after 4 years of work, I realized I spent more time on my book than the Civil War lasted — crazy!
How long did it take you to create The Red Badge of Courage graphic novel?
To be precise, not counting the writing work for the adaptation, I started the first drawings in October 2019 and finished the last page on October 24, 2023.
What has it been like working with Meephe Versaevel and Abrams ComicArts?
Meephe has been my wife for 30 years. We both work from home in separate offices. She’s upstairs, and I’m downstairs by the garden. We send each other emails: “Dinner is ready!” “Okay, I’ll finish this panel and I’ll be right there!”
Was it a challenge adapting The Red Badge of Courage into a graphic novel?
Yes, it was a real challenge. For several reasons: I didn’t want to betray the remarkable writing of Stephen Crane, I felt a certain responsibility toward this book and what it represents in American culture, I didn’t want to disappoint… In the end, I was a bit like Henry Fleming, afraid of not measuring up…
How would you describe The Red Badge of Courage graphic novel?
Adapting Red Badge into a graphic novel reminds me of the day I rode my first bull for 8 seconds at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth: “That’s done!”
Any message for the ComicBuzz readers
I hope you’ll like my Red Badge, because I love you all!
We would like to say a big thank you to Steve for chatting with us, and we would like to wish him the best of luck with the release of The Red Badge of Courage graphic novel.
