This is Hugo Pratt’s first great masterpiece, in terms of the compelling art and subject matter, which deals with the colonial wars in North America in the eighteenth century between the pioneers, the Native Americans, and the interfering interests of the French and English who had posted soldiers on the continent. The work is in the great tradition of the adventure narrative. Pratt puts his considerable historical knowledge to good use, creating a narrative tapestry of great pathos and including many actual historical figures, as the tormented and pock-marked Indian-killer, Lew Wetzel, the renegade white man, Simon Girty (to whom Pratt gave his own face), the rough but honest Ebenezer Zane, who founded Wheeling, West Virginia, Daniel Boone, one of the most daring pioneers of the time, Lord Dunmore, governor of Virginia, and Madame Montour, interpreter and agent of the Indian Department. This saga always occupied a special place in Pratt’s affections, to the extent that he went back to it throughout his life, refining and perfecting it. Wheeling was ultimately completed a year before his death.
