Indeh: A Story of the Apache Wars

Beautiful brushstrokes by Ruth (The Lost Boy) bring the conflict between the Apache and the United States in 1872 to life in a collaboration with actor Hawke that strives to escape Hollywood’s western mythos. Most U.S. troops are shown to be horrible people, as when they hang Apache leader Cochise’s family, but Gen. Oliver O. Howard rides in at the end, saving everyone (for the time being) using his Christian faith. Young Geronimo’s merciless killings combined with the white savior theme feel like a flawed attempt at balance. Ruth’s art, however, is a complete success, using a wash technique to indicate distance and loose line to give flow and movement. Characters of every race are distinctive and the natural backgrounds are breathtaking. Imperfections aside, this respectful approach to America’s shameful history is a good start to further a conversation often neglected. (Jun.)