Bacardi adds Comic Books to its Marketing Prowess

Download FREE  Graphic Novel  from the Barcardi Rum website on August 6th

Following up on the television commercial shown above as part of its "BACARDI Untameable Since 1862" marketing campaign, which promotes the heritage of the family-owned spirits company, Bacardi will be producing a graphic novel that tells the stories behind the brand and its origins in Cuba.  Titled "Spirit of BACARDI" the graphic novel, created by writer Warren Ellis and artist Michael Allred, will focus on Emilio Bacardi - son of BACARDI creator Don Facundo Bacardi Masso - and his efforts to help Cuba win independence from Spain in the late 1800s.  Emilio Bacardi 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.

A graphic novel is a book made up of comics content to tell its story.  The "Spirit of BACARDI" graphic novel will be available as a digital download from BACARDI.COM/SPIRITOFBACARDI on August 6th, 2014.  Bacardi hopes that the book will inspire consumers to embrace life, live boldly and showcase their own "Irrepressible Spirit."

Check out this teaser video about "Spirit of BACARDI:

Warren Ellis is most well-know for his work on the comic book series Transmetropolitan published by DC Comics Helix and Vertigo imprints from 1997 - 2002 which was about a gonzo journalist in a dystopian future America.  More recently he has been working for Marvel Comics on Moon Knight, Fantastic Four and Iron Man and for Image Comics on a series titled Trees.

Artist Mike Allred has worked on both artwork for interior panels and covers of comic books.  He has most recently been creating the cover artwork for DC Comics' Batman '66 series.  He is most well-known for being one of the co-creators of the iZOMBIE comic book series which was nominated for the 2011 Eisner Award for Best New Series.  iZOMBIE is about a revenant gravedigger named Gwen Dylan and her friends, Ellie, a ghosts, and Scott, a were-terrier.  Additional comic publications that Allred has worked on include Batman, Daredevil, the Fantastic Four, and Silver Surfer.

Meander over to the Bacardi website on August 6th to grab yourself this digital download and than enjoy it with a rum & coke or whatever your Bacardi drink of preference may be.