Belle Starr

Belle Starr (February 5, 1848 – February 3, 1889) was posthumously famous as an American outlaw.

Historical Fiction

One of the more unique adaptations of the legend of Belle Starr was made by the Japanese mangaka Akihiro Itou - perhaps best known to Western audiences as the creator of Geobreeders - who, in 1993, created a manga known as Belle Starr Bandits. Freely inspired by her life and exploits, the two volume series takes several liberties with historical figures, facts, and events, and, in spite of its heavily comedic and action-orented overtones, portrays Belle Starr as something of a tragic figure. Initially a somewhat ditzy young girl who just happens to be a crack shot, she is, as time progresses, forced to accept living life as an outlaw due to a series of misunderstandings and circumstances beyond her control, eventually developing a kind of inner strength and iron resolve as a result of her experiences.

Related Topics:
Mangaka - Geobreeders - Manga - Belle Starr Bandits

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The framing sequence of the story takes place in Canada in 1932 and chronicles the efforts of a female author and Belle Starr afficianado to write the definitive work on the female outlaw by uncovering the truth about her life and times.

Related Topics:
Canada - 1932

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Originally serialized in Fujima Fantasia and later in Dragon Comics, the only known foreign translation was made by the French publisher Pika Edition as part of their Manga Player Collection series in 1997, though, for unknown reasons, translation work ceased following the release of Volume 1. While still available for purchase online and elsewhere, the series is currently out of print and a release of the second and final volume seems highly unlikely after a nearly decade-long hiatus.

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