The Spirit of BACARDÍ -- a Graphic Novel
by Awl Sponsors
The Bacardí family has been in the rum business for a long time. Since 1862, they’ve faced earthquakes, fire, revolution, prohibition, and exile, none of which could tame their irrepressible spirit.
To bring these stories to life, Bacardí has collaborated with two of the most iconic names in the world of graphic novels — writer Warren Ellis and artist Michael Allred — to create The Spirit of Bacardí, a graphic novel that tells the stories behind the iconic brand and its origins in Cuba.
The Spirit of Bacardí focuses on Emilio Bacardí — son of founder Don Facundo Bacardí Massó — and his tireless work for Cuban independence in the late 1800s. Emilio Bacardí was repeatedly imprisoned and exiled for his belief in an independent Cuba, but persevered, eventually becoming the first freely-elected Mayor of Santiago de Cuba.
The graphic novel also touches upon early challenges the Bacardí family faced and overcame — including an earthquake that destroyed their city and a fire that ravaged their distillery — and ends with the creation of the original Cuba Libre cocktail in 1900.
In chapter 21, Emilio Bacardi resigns his position as mayor of post-colonial Cuba in protest over restrictions placed on his role. He promises his next term in office will be as a freely elected mayor chosen by the people. Be sure to check out Chapter 22 as well!
About Warren Ellis
Warren Ellis is an award winning English writer of graphic novels and film. Most recently, Ellis has written The Spirit of BACARDÍ — a graphic novel that tells the stories behind BACARDÍ rum and its origins in Cuba. Prior to The Spirit of Bacardi, Ellis wrote RED and RED 2 which were both adapted into movies starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman. Before the RED series, Ellis started British magazine Deadline, worked for Marvel on Hellstorm and then went on to write for DC where he wrote Gen, Transmetropolitan and Planetary. Ellis has also written for Vice, Wired UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters. Warren has been called “one of the most high-profile comic book writers of the past two decades”.
About Michael Allred
Michael Allred is an American artist and writer. Most recently, Allred has been central in the creation of The Spirit of BACARDÍ — a graphic novel that tells the stories behind BACARDÍ rum and its origins in Cuba. Allred is most famous for his creation, Madman, a superhero that appears in graphic novels published by Image. He has also illustrated numerous characters across Marvel and DC — two of the largest graphic novel publishers. Michael’s work is renowned for its retro 1950s pop art style and he has been nominated for multiple awards including the Harvey’s, the Eisners and the Eagles. Michael lives near Portland with his wife Laura who frequently works as his colorist.
READ THE FULL GRAPHIC NOVEL HERE