Ballad of Love and Murder for Barnstormers

The 2023 Will Eisner Award for Best Digital Comic has been awarded to a high-flying, post-World War I era historical fiction graphic novel that offers an intimate portrait of love and war, as well as a meditation on the dangerous level of trust required in both romance and aviation. Set in 1927, during the late days of the barnstorming era when pilots competed with increasingly daring and wondrous feats, the story follows Hawk E. Baron, a young and adventurous injured pilot who has returned from the frontlines of the war. Hawk now travels from town to town in his plane, entertaining audiences who have rarely, if ever, seen a car, let alone an aircraft.

Hawk's world is transformed when he meets Tillie, a young woman who shares his passion for aviation and adventure. The two become a traveling act, delighting onlookers with their daring antics, with Tillie even taking on the role of Hawk's wing-walker, climbing out onto the plane's wing mid-flight to perform death-defying acrobatics.

However, their journey takes an even deadlier turn when they learn they are suspected of a horrific crime, forcing them to race against time. Along the way, Hawk and Tillie bond, confessing their secrets to one another and embarking on a blossoming romance in this lush, character-driven series that explores the early days of aviation and the evolving relationship between the two young pilots.

Penned by writer Scott Snyder (We Have Demons) and featuring the breathtaking illustrations of Tula Lotay (Supreme: Blue Rose) – her longest sequential work to date – this Bonnie and Clyde-esque romp through the skies delivers a captivating tale that captures the excitement and danger of the barnstorming era, while also delving into the complexities of trust, love, and the human condition.

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