The Civil War rages on. Despite some much-needed victories, losses have been harrowing on the Union side, and volunteers are getting scarce. That leaves conscription, but it's an extremely unpopular measure - especially because of the possibility to avoid it by paying a sum of money only the rich can afford. Yet the North has little choice but to maintain it ... and this is how, in July 1863 in New York City, simmering resentment turns into bloody rioting - with Blutch and Chesterfield caught in the tragic events.

The Belgian-born author Raoul Cauvin was a prolific author and, at the time of his death in 2021, was still writing several series at the same time. In 2006 alone, he had six entries on the bestselling new comics list in France, including Cedric - also published in English by Cinebook - and The Bluecoats. Also born in Belgium, Lambil published his first comic, Sandy, in 1959. He has drawn 60 volumes of The Bluecoats since taking over from Salvérius, the series' original illustrator, who died in 1972.