Bob Marley in comics

The music of reggae legend Bob Marley has touched many generations and continues to do so following his death. This graphic biography tells of the singer's early days in Trenchtown, rise to international fame, and exile in London following an attempt on his life. Although he's a unifying figure all over the world, only some of the Rasta's fans know of his struggles to record, the various lovers he took, and the cancerous melanoma that ultimately took his life. Each chapter features full-color art from one of 19 different graphic artists, and the sections are interspersed with prose entries that further contextualize the visual storytelling. With so many styles highlighted, this title aims for readers who love not only the music Marley produced but also diverse approaches to sequential art. The overall cohesion is challenged by the variety of contributors, but it feels like a work of love from many admirers. The narrative is accessible, the chronology clear, and the story acknowledges both the strengths and weaknesses of character in this iconic Jamaican figure.

Gaëts (The Beatles in Comics) and Blitman interpret the life and career of reggae artist Bob Marley through milestones presented by multiple artists in this somewhat ungainly anthology-style graphic biography. Gaëts and Blitman explore Marley's story--from his humble beginnings in the Jamaican community of Nine Miles, to his education in music on the streets of Kingston, to his ascension with The Wailers to the top of the charts--along with his family relationships, marriage, and assorted affairs. Religion, political activism, and his love of soccer are also covered. Each chapter is drawn by a different artist, with distinct visual landscapes, beginning with Olivier Desvaux's pastels and the detailed linework of Ammo and ending with the evocative color palette of Julien Atika and a folk art--influenced portrait of Marley's funeral by Gil. Some chapters, though, such as the one by Efix, may raise eyebrows for their depictions of Marley in potentially offensive caricatures including goofy, cartoonish emphasis of his dreadlocks and nose . Between the graphic narratives, brief textbook-style sequences reiterate what the comics present with additional facts and (sometimes blithe) commentary in the format established for other titles in this imported series. Though the quality of the narratives varies, it's a decent surface treatment, accessible for novice Marley fans and younger readers; those wishing for more sophisticated insights might do better with one of the biographies listed as suggested reading at the back. (Jan.)

Nineteen vignettes and 10 brief essays introduce the many facets of this reggae singer/songwriter, described by Rolling Stone as "the sorcerer poet with dreadlocks." From the Jamaican ghettos to sold-out concerts and chart-topping albums, Marley's legacy of love and social protest was built with talent, hard work, charisma, and a bohemian life.