RED: A Haida Manga

Yagulanaas' artistic practice crosses diverse cultures, generations, and disciplines Haida Manga is the innovative combination of Haida formline design and Japanese comics (manga) to create a pan-Pacific narrative art form.

The plot is based on a story from Yahgulanaas' family. Red is a red-haired orphan boy growing up on Haida Gwaii. When Jaada, his sister is captured by raiders from another village, he swears to recover her. Red becomes leader of his village, but can think of nothing but his missing sister, and brings his people to the brink of war and disaster in his quest for revenge.

Sheet 1: top three panels: RED is the story of Red and Jaada, orphaned siblings growing up in the Haida Gwaii village of Kiokaathli, many centuries ago. The story begins with Red and Jaada fishing for their sustenance. Jaada complains that she always has to save her brother, and pulls him out of the water.

Sheet 1: bottom three panels: In the forest Red dreams of spirits. He hears the sound of quiet footsteps as the raiders move through the woods.