GRAPHIC NOVELS

The Be-Bop Barbarians: Comic Book Bohemians to a 1950s Jazz Beat

by Gary (text) Phillips & (text) & Dale Berry & J. Brown (illus.) (illus.).

Pegasus. Feb. 2019. 112p. ISBN 9781681777764. $24.95. F

COPY ISBN

In 1955 Harlem, three African American comikkers battle Cold War politics, prejudice, and temptation. Ollie draws for a left-wing newspaper yet is fired from his day job for fighting harassment. Stef takes an FBI gig then twists the message for her own female-centered strip. Cliff, passing as white, loses the rights to his comics heroine but conspires with his boss’s wife. Real-life inspiration plus juicy dollops of pulp keep the story sadly believable yet entertaining.

Reviewed by Martha Cornog , Nov 01, 2019

Comment Policy:

Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.