Chester Brown in Canada Reads semifinal

Chester Brown's Louis Riel has entered Canada Reads' semifinal.

The Harvey Award-winning Drawn and Quarterly publication has been included in the list of ten books.

Five will be chosen to enter a debate in which celebrity panelists defend their chosen titles.

Last year, Jeff Lemire's Essex County Trilogy became the first graphic novel to enter into the finals of the competition.

Louis Riel chronicles the life of the 'Father of Manitoba', a politician who fought for the rights of the indigenous Métis people and led the controversial 1869-1870 Red River Rebellion.

"Chester Brown is a comic book artist who has turned his inimitable style to a compelling moment in Canadian history," said Canada Reads.

Essex County Trilogy was championed by musician Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara last year.

It became the first finalist to be eliminated after panelists objected to its reliance on pictures rather than words.