A graphic novel inspired by the true story of Kate Warne, America's first female detective and her signature achievement--cracking a plot by Confederate radicals to kill Abraham Lincoln.
IN 1861, AMERICA'S GREATEST DETECTIVE SAVED THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
THIS IS HER STORY.
America is at a crossroads. Secession is spreading. And the nation's newly elected president is the target of a conspiracy to assassinate him and trigger a Civil War.
The safety of Lincoln and his family-and the future of the American experiment-hinges on the success of a new kind of lawman, known by a word still novel in the culture of the time: detective. But there was only one who would prove to be up to the task-an individual whose extraordinary cleverness and resourcefulness would alter the course of history from deep within the shadows of domestic spycraft.
Her name was Kate Warne.
This is the story of America's first female detective, a trailblazing working woman trying to make a living and do some good in a tumultuous, sexist age, and whose mysterious life and tall tale exploits are truly the stuff of legend.
Eisner and Emmy Award-winning writer Jeff Jensen (Green River Killer: A True Detective Story, HBO's Watchmen) and acclaimed artist George Schall (Made in Korea) present the stunning tale of a real-life hero who shaped the course of American history.
Industry Reviews
"BETTER ANGELS is an incredibly immersive read. It deftly combines wonderful character work with really playful and inventive storytelling to create a rich and relevant world. " * Jeff Lemire, Sweet Tooth, Essex County, Mazebook *
"A joyful look at the - supposedly - minor players who shepherded major American history. Sly, fun, and exciting, just like Kate Warne herself." * Jonathan Case, The New Deal, Dear Creature, the upcoming Little Monarchs *
"BETTER ANGELS unveils a lost chapter of history - a story steeped in history but crackling with propulsive story, all-too-human characters and lovely art. Jensen and Schall are pros, and BETTER ANGELS is a perfect synthesis of talents. Evocative, entertaining, and hopefully not the last time we'll see Kate Warne." * Alex Segura, award-winning author of Secret Identity, The Black Ghost, and Star Wars Poe Dameron: *
"An amazing, meaty, historical tale from Jeff Jensen and George Schall! So good!" * Matt Kindt, Harvey Award-winning creator *
"Jensen and artist George Schall examine the forces that drove Kate to become a kickass detective in a time and place that was very hostile to working women. They also excavate forgotten political elements of Lincoln's time, like the Wide-Awakes who marched by lamplight through hostile streets proclaiming the righteousness of Lincoln's anti-slavery politics. To its credit, Better Angels also manages to redeem Mary Todd Lincoln from her too-common caricature as a grieving madwoman." * Entertainment Weekly's Best Comics from November 2021 *
"Complex, character-driven and RELEVANT, the timing couldn't be better for this story." -- Damon Lindelof, Emmy Award-winning screenwriter of Watchmen, The Leftovers, and LOST
"Unique, surprising, spirited, engaging and wonderfully clever -- much like Kate Warne herself." -- Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, Sharp Objects, and Dark Places
"A really fun graphic novel re-imagination of Kate Warne's historic adventures. Written by the great @EWDocJensen and beautifully drawn by @georgeschall." -- Brad Meltzer NYT bestselling author of The Lightning Rod, The Escape Artist, and more
