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{{Short description|Webcomic by Kate Beaton (2007–2018)}}
{{Infobox Webcomic
{{Infobox Webcomic
| title = Hark! A Vagrant
| title = Hark! A Vagrant
| image =
| image = File:Hark A Vagrant.png
| caption =
| caption = Cover for the 2011 print collection
| author = [[Kate Beaton]]
| author = [[Kate Beaton]]
| url = ''[http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php Hark, a Vagrant]''
| url = ''[http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php Hark, a Vagrant]''
| status = Updated occasionally.<ref name="about">{{cite web|title=Hark, a Vagrant: About|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/about.php}}</ref>
| status = Completed<ref>{{cite web|title=Hark, a Vagrant|last=Beaton|first=Kate|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=404|quote=Hark! A Vagrant, such as it is, is an archive website now.}}</ref>
| began = 2007
| began = 2007
| ended =
| ended = 2018
| genre = [[Comic strip]]
| genre = Comedy
}}
}}


'''Hark! A Vagrant''' is a [[webcomic]] by Canadian artist [[Kate Beaton]].
'''''Hark! A Vagrant''''' is a [[webcomic]] published by Canadian artist [[Kate Beaton]] between 2007 and 2018. It discussed historical and literary topics in a comedic tone and was drawn in black and white.


== Recurring themes ==
== Recurring themes ==


Many ''Hark! A Vagrant'' strips are based on historical figures and events; Beaton studied History and Anthropology at [[Mount Allison University]]<ref name="about"/> and worked at the [[Maritime Museum of BC]] before launching her webcomic.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Medley|first1=Mark|title=Canadian cartoonist Kate Beaton cleverly combines history and humour|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/canadian-cartoonist-kate-beaton-cleverly-combines-history-and-humour/article26545781/|website=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> Historical personages that have made appearances in the comic include [[Napoléon Bonaparte]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Beaton|first1=Kate|title=Hark, A Vagrant: 320|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=320}}</ref> [[Ada Lovelace]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Hark, A Vagrant: 298|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=298}}</ref> [[Marie Antoinette]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Hark, A Vagrant: 2|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=2}}</ref> and the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hark, a Vagrant: 375|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=375}}</ref> Literary figures feature prominently, such as the [[Brontë sisters]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Hark, a Vagrant: 202|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=202}}</ref> and several strips parody classic literary works such as [[Robinson Crusoe]] and [[Sherlock Holmes]].
''Hark! A Vagrant'' is best known for its humorous treatment of historical figures and events. Beaton began drawing history-themed comics for her student newspaper while studying History and Anthropology at [[Mount Allison University]].<ref name="Drevitch">{{cite web|last1=Drevitch|first1=Gary|title=Eccentric's Corner: Drawn to History|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201505/eccentrics-corner-drawn-history|website=Psychology Today}}</ref> Historical personages that have made appearances in the comic include [[Napoléon Bonaparte]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Beaton|first1=Kate|title=Hark, a Vagrant: 320|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=320}}</ref> [[Ada Lovelace]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Hark, a Vagrant: 298|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=298}}</ref> [[Marie Antoinette]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Hark, a Vagrant: 2|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=2}}</ref> and the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hark, a Vagrant: 375|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=375}}</ref> Literary figures feature prominently, such as the [[Brontë sisters]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Hark, a Vagrant: 202|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=202}}</ref> and several strips parody classic literary works such as [[Robinson Crusoe]] and [[Sherlock Holmes]]. The humour in Beaton's historical and literary strips often derives from [[anachronism]]s, such as historical characters expressing modern colloquialisms and sensibilities.<ref name="Randle">{{cite news|last1=Randle|first1=Chris|title=Book Review: Hark! A Vagrant, by Kate Beaton|url=https://nationalpost.com/afterword/book-review-hark-a-vagrant-by-kate-beaton|website=National Post}}</ref>


Other recurring subjects in the comic include [[superhero]]es, [[Nancy Drew]] stories, and autobiographical topics.
⚫
''Hark! A Vagrant'' has been noted for its feminist themes,<ref name="Sneddon">{{cite web|last1=Sneddon|first1=Laura|title=Kate Beaton on refusing to let women be forgotten and increasing audience diversity of a comic convention|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/kate-beatons-comics-are-refusing-to-let-women-be-forgotten-a6715486.html|website=Independent}}</ref> and Beaton has described herself as "naturally drawn to women’s history".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Drevitch|first1=Gary|title=Eccentric's Corner: Drawn to History|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201505/eccentrics-corner-drawn-history|website=Psychology Today}}</ref> She is particularly well-known for her series of "Strong Female Characters" strips, which satirise sexist depictions of female characters in comics and movies.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Robinson|first1=Tasha|title=Interview: Kate Beaton|url=https://www.avclub.com/kate-beaton-1798228099|website=AV Club}}</ref>

⚫
''Hark! A Vagrant'' has been noted for its feminist themes,<ref name="Sneddon">{{cite web|last1=Sneddon|first1=Laura|title=Kate Beaton on refusing to let women be forgotten and increasing audience diversity of a comic convention|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/kate-beatons-comics-are-refusing-to-let-women-be-forgotten-a6715486.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/kate-beatons-comics-are-refusing-to-let-women-be-forgotten-a6715486.html |archive-date=2022-05-09 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=Independent|date=2 November 2015}}</ref> and Beaton has described herself as "naturally drawn to women’s history".<ref name="Drevitch"/> She is particularly well-known for her series of "Strong Female Characters" strips, which satirise sexist depictions of female characters in comics and movies.<ref name="Robinson">{{cite web|last1=Robinson|first1=Tasha|title=Interview: Kate Beaton|url=https://www.avclub.com/kate-beaton-1798228099|website=AV Club|date=14 October 2011 }}</ref>


== Style ==
== Style ==


''Hark! A Vagrant'' is drawn in black and white with pens, watercolours, brush pens, and a Wacom tablet in later comics.<ref name="about"/> Beaton's distinctive drawing style is loose and light, and has been compared to the illustrations of [[Quentin Blake]].<ref name="Sneddon"/>
''Hark! A Vagrant'' is drawn in black and white with pens, watercolours, brush pens, and a Wacom tablet in later comics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hark, a Vagrant: About|url=http://www.harkavagrant.com/about.php}}</ref> Beaton's distinctive drawing style is loose and light, and has been compared to the illustrations of [[Quentin Blake]].<ref name="Sneddon"/> Reviews have remarked on her mastery of facial expressions in particular.<ref name="Randle"/>

Most strips are short, about three to eight panels long. Beaton often eschews punctuation in her dialogue,<ref name="Robinson"/> and the tone of the comic has been described as "conversational".<ref name="Randle"/>


== Reception ==
== Reception ==


The 2011 print collection of ''Hark! A Vagrant'' was named one of the top ten fiction books of the year by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Grossman|first1=Lev|title=7. Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101344_2101086_2101094,00.html|website=TIME}}</ref>
The 2011 print collection of ''Hark! A Vagrant'' was named one of the top ten fiction books of the year by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine,<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Grossman|first1=Lev|title=7. Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101344_2101086_2101094,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107191406/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101344_2101086_2101094,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2012|magazine=TIME}}</ref>
and ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine placed the same collection on its list of 'The 50 Best Non-Superhero Graphic Novels'.<ref>{{cite web|title=Drawn Out: The 50 Best Non-Superhero Graphic Novels|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/lists/drawn-out-the-50-best-non-superhero-graphic-novels-20140505/hark-a-vagrant-kate-beaton-19691231|website=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Maria Popova, in ''[[The Atlantic]]'', called the book "a witty and wonderful collection of comics about historical and literary figures and events", and praised Beaton's "truly special gift for simple, subtle, incredibly expressive caricature".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Popova|first1=Maria|title='Hark! A Vagrant': Witty Comics on Historical and Literary Figures|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/10/hark-a-vagrant-witty-comics-on-historical-and-literary-figures/246291/|website=The Atlantic}}</ref> Alex Manley, writing for [[Maisonneuve (magazine)|Maisonneuve]], wrote that "the collection reveals Beaton's flair for marrying dry historical facts of varying arcanity with cheap, childish gags in a way that never seems to get old."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Manley|first1=Alex|title=Kate Beaton's Revisionist History|url=https://maisonneuve.org/article/2011/10/3/kate-beatons-revisionist-history/|website=maisonneuve.org}}</ref>
and ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine placed the same collection on its list of 'The 50 Best Non-Superhero Graphic Novels'.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Drawn Out: The 50 Best Non-Superhero Graphic Novels|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/lists/drawn-out-the-50-best-non-superhero-graphic-novels-20140505/hark-a-vagrant-kate-beaton-19691231|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=16 November 2019}}</ref> [[Maria Popova]], in ''[[The Atlantic]]'', called the book "a witty and wonderful collection of comics about historical and literary figures and events", and praised Beaton's "truly special gift for simple, subtle, incredibly expressive caricature".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Popova|first1=Maria|title='Hark! A Vagrant': Witty Comics on Historical and Literary Figures|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/10/hark-a-vagrant-witty-comics-on-historical-and-literary-figures/246291/|website=The Atlantic|date=7 October 2011}}</ref> Alex Manley, writing for [[Maisonneuve (magazine)|Maisonneuve]], wrote that "the collection reveals Beaton's flair for marrying dry historical facts of varying arcanity with cheap, childish gags in a way that never seems to get old."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Manley|first1=Alex|title=Kate Beaton's Revisionist History|url=https://maisonneuve.org/article/2011/10/3/kate-beatons-revisionist-history/|website=maisonneuve.org|date=3 October 2011}}</ref>


== Awards ==
== Awards ==
Line 48: Line 53:
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|Best online comics work
|Best online comics work
| style="background:#fdd;"| Nominated<ref>{{cite web|last1=Polo|first1=Susana|title=The 2010 Harvey Award Winners|url=https://www.themarysue.com/2010-harvey-award-winners/|website=The Mary Sue}}</ref>
| style="background:#fdd;"| Nominated<ref>{{cite web|last1=Polo|first1=Susana|title=The 2010 Harvey Award Winners|url=https://www.themarysue.com/2010-harvey-award-winners/|website=The Mary Sue|date=29 August 2010}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2011
|2011
Line 54: Line 59:
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|Best online comics work
|Best online comics work
| style="background:#dfd;"|Won<ref>{{cite web|last1=Melrose|first1=Kevin|title=Winners announced for 2011 Harvey Awards|url=https://www.cbr.com/winners-announced-for-2011-harvey-awards|website=CBR.com}}</ref>
| style="background:#dfd;"|Won<ref>{{cite web|last1=Melrose|first1=Kevin|title=Winners announced for 2011 Harvey Awards|url=https://www.cbr.com/winners-announced-for-2011-harvey-awards|website=CBR.com|date=21 August 2011}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2011
|2011
Line 60: Line 65:
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|Favourite Web-Based Comic
|Favourite Web-Based Comic
| style="background:#fdd;"| Nominated<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnston|first1=Rich|title=Eagle Awards Nominations Announced|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/03/14/eagle-awards-nominations-announced-2/|website=bleedingcool.com}}</ref>
| style="background:#fdd;"| Nominated<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnston|first1=Rich|title=Eagle Awards Nominations Announced|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/03/14/eagle-awards-nominations-announced-2/|website=bleedingcool.com|date=14 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2011
|2011
Line 66: Line 71:
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|Outstanding Online Comic
|Outstanding Online Comic
| style="background:#dfd;"|Won<ref>{{cite web|last1=Parkin|first1=John|title=Winners announced for 2011 Ignatz Awards|url=https://www.cbr.com/winners-announced-for-2011-ignatz-awards/|website=CBR.com}}</ref>
| style="background:#dfd;"|Won<ref>{{cite web|last1=Parkin|first1=John|title=Winners announced for 2011 Ignatz Awards|url=https://www.cbr.com/winners-announced-for-2011-ignatz-awards/|website=CBR.com|date=11 September 2011}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2012
|2012
Line 72: Line 77:
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|Best online comics work
|Best online comics work
| style="background:#dfd;"|Won<ref>{{cite web|last1=McMillan|first1=Graeme|title='Daredevil,' 'Hark! A Vagrant' And More Win Big At The 2012 Harvey Awards|url=http://comicsalliance.com/2012-harvey-award-winners/|website=comicsalliance.com}}</ref>
| style="background:#dfd;"|Won<ref>{{cite web|last1=McMillan|first1=Graeme|title='Daredevil,' 'Hark! A Vagrant' And More Win Big At The 2012 Harvey Awards|url=http://comicsalliance.com/2012-harvey-award-winners/|website=comicsalliance.com|date=10 September 2012 }}</ref>
|-
|2012
|[[Doug Wright Award]]
|''Hark! A Vagrant''
|Best Book
|style="background:#dfd;"|Won<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gowrie|first1=Katie|title=Kate Beaton wins Doug Wright Award|date=7 May 2012|url=https://quillandquire.com/awards/2012/05/07/kate-beaton-wins-doug-wright-award/}}</ref>
|}
|}


== Collections ==
== Collections ==
* ''Never Learn Anything From History'' (2009)
* ''Never Learn Anything From History'' (2009)
* ''Hark! A Vagrant'' ([[Drawn and Quarterly]], 2011)
* ''Hark! A Vagrant'' ([[Drawn & Quarterly]], 2011)
* ''Step Aside, Pops'' (Drawn and Quarterly, 2015)
* ''Step Aside, Pops'' (Drawn & Quarterly, 2015)


== References ==
== References ==
Line 85: Line 96:
[[Category:2000s webcomics]]
[[Category:2000s webcomics]]
[[Category:2010s webcomics]]
[[Category:2010s webcomics]]
[[Category:Canadian webcomics]]
[[Category:2007 webcomic debuts]]
[[Category:Comedy webcomics]]
[[Category:Canadian comedy webcomics]]
[[Category:Short form webcomics]]
[[Category:Short form webcomics]]
[[Category:Historical webcomics]]
[[Category:Historical webcomics]]

Latest revision as of 04:23, 6 January 2024

Hark! A Vagrant
Cover for the 2011 print collection
Author(s)Kate Beaton
WebsiteHark, a Vagrant
Current status/scheduleCompleted[1]
Launch date2007
End date2018
Genre(s)Comedy

Hark! A Vagrant is a webcomic published by Canadian artist Kate Beaton between 2007 and 2018. It discussed historical and literary topics in a comedic tone and was drawn in black and white.

Recurring themes

[edit]

Hark! A Vagrant is best known for its humorous treatment of historical figures and events. Beaton began drawing history-themed comics for her student newspaper while studying History and Anthropology at Mount Allison University.[2] Historical personages that have made appearances in the comic include Napoléon Bonaparte,[3] Ada Lovelace,[4] Marie Antoinette,[5] and the Founding Fathers of the United States.[6] Literary figures feature prominently, such as the Brontë sisters,[7] and several strips parody classic literary works such as Robinson Crusoe and Sherlock Holmes. The humour in Beaton's historical and literary strips often derives from anachronisms, such as historical characters expressing modern colloquialisms and sensibilities.[8]

Other recurring subjects in the comic include superheroes, Nancy Drew stories, and autobiographical topics.

Hark! A Vagrant has been noted for its feminist themes,[9] and Beaton has described herself as "naturally drawn to women’s history".[2] She is particularly well-known for her series of "Strong Female Characters" strips, which satirise sexist depictions of female characters in comics and movies.[10]

Style

[edit]

Hark! A Vagrant is drawn in black and white with pens, watercolours, brush pens, and a Wacom tablet in later comics.[11] Beaton's distinctive drawing style is loose and light, and has been compared to the illustrations of Quentin Blake.[9] Reviews have remarked on her mastery of facial expressions in particular.[8]

Most strips are short, about three to eight panels long. Beaton often eschews punctuation in her dialogue,[10] and the tone of the comic has been described as "conversational".[8]

Reception

[edit]

The 2011 print collection of Hark! A Vagrant was named one of the top ten fiction books of the year by Time magazine,[12] and Rolling Stone magazine placed the same collection on its list of 'The 50 Best Non-Superhero Graphic Novels'.[13] Maria Popova, in The Atlantic, called the book "a witty and wonderful collection of comics about historical and literary figures and events", and praised Beaton's "truly special gift for simple, subtle, incredibly expressive caricature".[14] Alex Manley, writing for Maisonneuve, wrote that "the collection reveals Beaton's flair for marrying dry historical facts of varying arcanity with cheap, childish gags in a way that never seems to get old."[15]

Awards

[edit]
Year Award Work Category Result
2009 Doug Wright Award Hark! A Vagrant Best Emerging Talent Won[16]
2010 Harvey Award Hark! A Vagrant Best online comics work Nominated[17]
2011 Harvey Award Hark! A Vagrant Best online comics work Won[18]
2011 Eagle Award Hark! A Vagrant Favourite Web-Based Comic Nominated[19]
2011 Ignatz Award Hark! A Vagrant Outstanding Online Comic Won[20]
2012 Harvey Award Hark! A Vagrant Best online comics work Won[21]
2012 Doug Wright Award Hark! A Vagrant Best Book Won[22]

Collections

[edit]
  • Never Learn Anything From History (2009)
  • Hark! A Vagrant (Drawn & Quarterly, 2011)
  • Step Aside, Pops (Drawn & Quarterly, 2015)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Beaton, Kate. "Hark, a Vagrant". Hark! A Vagrant, such as it is, is an archive website now.
  2. ^ a b Drevitch, Gary. "Eccentric's Corner: Drawn to History". Psychology Today.
  3. ^ Beaton, Kate. "Hark, a Vagrant: 320".
  4. ^ "Hark, a Vagrant: 298".
  5. ^ "Hark, a Vagrant: 2".
  6. ^ "Hark, a Vagrant: 375".
  7. ^ "Hark, a Vagrant: 202".
  8. ^ a b c Randle, Chris. "Book Review: Hark! A Vagrant, by Kate Beaton". National Post.
  9. ^ a b Sneddon, Laura (2 November 2015). "Kate Beaton on refusing to let women be forgotten and increasing audience diversity of a comic convention". Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-05-09.
  10. ^ a b Robinson, Tasha (14 October 2011). "Interview: Kate Beaton". AV Club.
  11. ^ "Hark, a Vagrant: About".
  12. ^ Grossman, Lev. "7. Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton". TIME. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012.
  13. ^ "Drawn Out: The 50 Best Non-Superhero Graphic Novels". Rolling Stone. 16 November 2019.
  14. ^ Popova, Maria (7 October 2011). "'Hark! A Vagrant': Witty Comics on Historical and Literary Figures". The Atlantic.
  15. ^ Manley, Alex (3 October 2011). "Kate Beaton's Revisionist History". maisonneuve.org.
  16. ^ "Past Winners". Dought Wright Awards.
  17. ^ Polo, Susana (29 August 2010). "The 2010 Harvey Award Winners". The Mary Sue.
  18. ^ Melrose, Kevin (21 August 2011). "Winners announced for 2011 Harvey Awards". CBR.com.
  19. ^ Johnston, Rich (14 March 2011). "Eagle Awards Nominations Announced". bleedingcool.com.
  20. ^ Parkin, John (11 September 2011). "Winners announced for 2011 Ignatz Awards". CBR.com.
  21. ^ McMillan, Graeme (10 September 2012). "'Daredevil,' 'Hark! A Vagrant' And More Win Big At The 2012 Harvey Awards". comicsalliance.com.
  22. ^ Gowrie, Katie (7 May 2012). "Kate Beaton wins Doug Wright Award".
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