Harlem

Harlem #1-2

by Mikaël

Harlem, 1931. In the heart of the Great Depression, invention is the mother of necessity to make ends meet. Sté phanie St. Clair, known as ‘ Queenie’ , had already understood this when she landed in New York almost twenty years before. Inventiveness when you are a woman and you are black is much more than a necessity. It's a question of survival. In a few years, this young immigrant West Indian servant freed herself from the weight of ancestral servitude. Even better, she created her own American the underground Harlem numbers game. Hers is an ascent that makes people cringe, both with the local authorities and the white mafia. Dutch Schultz, aka. the Dutchman, an unscrupulous mafioso, intends to take control of the kingdom of the "Frenchy." But that's without taking into account the determination and impetuosity of Queenie, whose heavy past continues to guide her steps... After the critically acclaimed Giant and Bootblack, Mikaë l takes us to the Harlem of the prohibition for the final chapter of his New York triptych in sumptuous chiaroscuro, to meet a woman as strong as she is enigmatic.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Historical Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Bande Dessinée, Fiction

128 pages, Hardcover

Published April 16, 2024

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually the second graphic novel I’ve read about Stephanie “Queenie” St. Clair (the other being “Queenie: Godmother of Harlem: A Graphic Novel by Aurelie Levy and Elizabeth Colomba”). While Mikaël’s is certainly better in terms of both art and story, it certainly isn’t as good as the other 2/3 of the NY Triptych.

“Giant” was a historical fiction story about the “sky men” who built the skyscrapers of NYC. “Bootblack” was another historical fiction story set in early 20th century NYC that dabbled heavily in romance. “Harlem,” however, takes a different approach. It seems more like a non-fiction treatment of Stephanie St. Clair. In the graphic novel, W.E.B. Dubois tells Queenie that her column is “too factual.” I would give Mikaël the same advice for this graphic novel.

[Matilde Faria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing graphic art, it's really well done and the story its also good, i was just expecting more, to develop way more stuff happening in the story itself or the characters. I really enjoyed the change of the colors to distinguish from the past memories and the present, the way they express themselves, the way the black culture its expressed and drawn its something like i've never read before. If there was a Harlem #3, i would be interested to read! cuz i would like to know more about this story or even how things went after Queenie.

[João Teixeira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Na onda dos livros anteriores ( Bootblack e Giant ), este é igualmente bom!

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in a series by Mikael about Harlem, this one focusing on Stephanie Saint-Clair, aka Queenie—the infamous criminal who made herself a legend in Harlem in the 1930s. Born on a plantation in the French colony of Martinique, she rose to power as a bootlegger and racketeer, mainly known for her control of the numbers racket. Like her better known NYC Godfathers, Queenie became rich and powerful but also supported her community, supporting people in need, giving loans, and so on. Dutch Schulz saw the kind of money she was making and wanted to strong arm her into turning over her operation--I mean, come on, she was a woman, and black! what can she do against the mob?!--to him, which set off a war.

I just read another book about Queenie: Godmother of Harlem by Elizabeth Colomba, which is more factual and less of an engaging story, so it would be good to look at them together if you want some background on this fascinating history. That one is black and white and more intentionally journalistic in illustration style.

Why did you know about the Five Families, and not Queenie? Well, you tell me but at one point she was among the richest women in the country. Some of this story deals with romance, and gets more deeply into her independent and fiercely committed character. Who wins in the fight between Schulz and Queenie? Read to find out, and you'll find some terrifically romantic thriller artwork, sepia-washed and beautiful.

[mariannenoela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dans le Harlem de 1950, on suit les faits et gestes de la « lady gangster » Stephanie St. Clair dans les dédales du quartier afro-américain de New York exploité par les mafieux de l’époque.
Les dessins restent dans le style classique de Mikaël : glauques, sombres et très linéaires. Le fond parle de racisme (traumavertissement sur le vocabulaire), de jeux de gangs et de pouvoir sur fond de barber shops, de club de jazz intimistes et d’argent sale.

[Carlos Filipe Bernardino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Foi lida a edição portuguesa de Outubro 2024 da Ala dos livros.
O desenho é bom, com bons apontamentos da arquitetura e ambiente da cidade de Nova Iorque do início dos anos 30 do século XX.
O livro embora se baseie nas obras indicadas pelo autor, traz-nos à memória o filme Hoodlum, realizado por Bill Duke, com muitas semelhanças na ação e cenários.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mikaël’s artwork of old New York is just stunning and this was a beautiful introduction to the story of Stephanie St Clair in Harlem. Love the flow of the pacing, characters, and art. Strong conclusion to his NY trilogy.

[R.J. Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ O terceiro livro nesta saga do Harlem mantém a consistência da arte e na generalidade do enredo. O final parece algo apressado mas o espírito da história é inegável.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Queenie, a self made woman during the Harlem renaissance who runs a numbers game in Harlem. She refuses to back down to anyone including Dutch Schultz or the police who are both looking to end her rule of the area. Not bad, but it's hard to follow in places.

[Urbon Adamsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

EN Mikaël takes us back to New York for another captivating tale, this time set in Harlem. We follow Stéphanie St. Clair, or Queenie—the Queen of Harlem—a powerful gangster who ruled the streets with her lottery empire.

The story delves into her struggles, alongside those closest to her, in a society still grappling with racial inequality. Mikaël masterfully crafts an immersive narrative filled with tension, revenge, power struggles, love, and raw emotion.

If you enjoyed the previous books in this trilogy, this one won’t disappoint—it’s a powerful addition to the series.

--

PT Mikaël leva-nos de volta a Nova Iorque para mais um conto cativante, desta vez ambientado em Harlem. Seguimos Stéphanie St. Clair, ou Queenie — a Rainha de Harlem —, uma poderosa gangster que dominou as ruas com o seu império de lotarias.

A história explora as suas lutas, juntamente com aqueles que lhe são mais próximos, numa sociedade ainda a ajustar-se à igualdade racial. Mikaël constrói magistralmente uma narrativa imersiva, cheia de tensão, vingança, disputas de poder, amor e emoção pura.

Se gostaste dos livros anteriores desta trilogia, este não te vai desiludir — é uma adição poderosa à série.

[Carter Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning artwork and masterful character work.