Underground: Marsupial outlaws and other rebels of Australia’s war in Vietnam (Mirranda Burton, A&U)
Mirranda Burton’s graphic novel presents an overview of Australia during the Vietnam War by following three main characters: anti-war activist Jean McLean, Vietnam veteran Bill Cantwell and refugee Mai Ho. Their stories are real, based on interviews and historical records, but illustrated with creative license to become new and fresh visuals. The art is stark and clear with strong black lines and contrasting spaces of black and white, reminiscent of linocuts. Burton’s graphic style is beautiful and stands out in the spreads and chapter openers, where her drawings take on a larger format and metaphorical bent, illustrating human connection, the horror of war, the fear of the draft and organic systems such as roots and burrows. Each character’s story is compelling, both representational and exceptional. Together, the three narratives illustrate a breadth of Australian experience and history that is not often presented. However, the parts don’t ultimately coalesce into a greater whole. Burton covers so many events that the smaller illustrated panels seem to spill off the page with exposition. Too many supporting characters disappear only to resurface again without explanation, and the novel ends abruptly and with no real integration of some of the subplots. Underground presents some complex issues and overlooked events but its density doesn’t allow space for the reader to gain more than a glance at these fascinating stories. Nonetheless, it would certainly be interesting and informative for readers, especially high schoolers looking to gain a greater understanding of Australian history.
Fay Helfenbaum is a freelance writer and editor and was a bookseller for five years.
