Before we get any further into this news post, I want to emphasize: as far as I understand, this is absolutely true.
As announced in a press release, Bacardí has hired Warren Ellis and Mike Allred to create a graphic novel about Emilio Bacardí, son of Don Facundo Bacardí Massó (the creator of Bacardí rum), and his life from when Cuban sought independence from Spain in the 1800s. According to the release, the book “follows the launch of “BACARDÍ Untameable Since 1862,” a new global campaign that inspires consumers to embrace life and live boldly to showcase their own “Irrepressible Spirit.””
There’s a video teaser for it from Bacardí as well, in case you still don’t believe me:
Of all the organizations to come to the comic stage I would never have thought that Bacardí Rum would throw their hat in the ring, but here we are. Hiring Warren Ellis and Mike Allred is also certainly a great pair to do so. And as out of the blue or otherwise off the wall as this announcement is, honestly, anything that Ellis and Allred collaborate on should be good. It’s also not like non-fiction comics are completely out of the blue, though the release and creation of this particular book is certainly surprising.
Still. It should be very interesting to see when done. Ellis has been making a return to comic in a big way recently, and this is a whole new ballpark for Allred. Nineteenth century Cuba? There’s nothing groovy or fun about that, for sure, both of which are the primary things Allred is essentially known for.
The comic goes live online at Bacardi.com/SpiritOfBacardi on August 6th. For the full press release from Bacardi, please see below.
Bacardi Press Release
Two of the most iconic names in the world of graphic novels – writer Warren Ellis and artist Michael Allred – have been brought together for the first time by BACARDÍ® rum to create The Spirit of BACARDÍ, a graphic novel that tells the stories behind the brand and the Company’s origins in Cuba.
For more than 150 years BACARDÍ has been a brand with incredible stories to tell. Since their earliest days in Cuba, the Bacardí family has boldly faced and overcome earthquakes, fire, revolution, prohibition, and exile.
The Spirit of BACARDÍ will focus on Emilio Bacardí – son of BACARDÍ® creator Don Facundo Bacardí Massó – and his tireless work for Cuban independence from Spain 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.
“Working on this project gave me the chance to bring to life a time and a place I’ve never worked with before – Cuba in the late nineteenth century,” said Michael Allred.
Warren Ellis added, “Storytelling requires great characters, and in Emilio Bacardí we have exactly that. Emilio was a patriot, passionate about his homeland of Cuba. My focus was to bring his drive and determination to life.”
This project follows the launch of “BACARDÍ Untameable Since 1862,” a new global campaign that inspires consumers to embrace life and live boldly to showcase their own “Irrepressible Spirit.”
The Spirit of BACARDÍ will be available as a digital download from BACARDI.COM/SPIRITOFBACARDI on August 6th 2014.
About BACARDÍ Rum – The World’s Most Awarded Rum
In 1862, in the city of Santiago de Cuba, founder Don Facundo Bacardí Massó revolutionized the spirits industry when he created a light-bodied rum with a particularly smooth taste – BACARDÍ. The unique taste of BACARDÍ rum inspired cocktail pioneers to invent some of the world’s most famous recipes including the BACARDÍ Mojito, the BACARDÍ Daiquirí, the BACARDÍ Cuba Libre, the BACARDÍ Piña Colada and the BACARDÍ Presidente. BACARDÍ rum is the world’s most awarded spirit, with more than 550 awards for quality, taste and innovation. Today, BACARDÍ rum is made in Puerto Rico and Mexico where it is crafted to ensure the taste remains the same today as it did when it was first blended in 1862. www.bacardi.com
The BACARDÍ® rum brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.
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BACARDÍ, BACARDÍ UNTAMEABLE AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI & COMPANY LIMITED
