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Kiss the Sky: Jimi Hendrix 1942-1970
Before he became the legendary guitarist, Hendrix navigated a childhood reminiscent of Dickens, evolving into an obscure musician and facing a journey paved with hardships. In this intimate portrait by Mezzo and JM Dupont, authors of the acclaimed Love in Vain, explore the dark and desperate quest for recognition that defined the early chapters of Hendrix's life.
This narrative, a perfect blend of lyricism and realism, delves not only into the tormented soul of the future rock star but also unveils his lesser-known musical odyssey. Join Hendrix on his path as he encounters legendary artists during his formative years – Little Richard, Ike & Tina Turner, BB King, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones.
Intriguing and captivating, this book promises a deeper understanding of the iconic figure. Uncover the story behind Hendrix's rise from obscurity to immortality.
This narrative, a perfect blend of lyricism and realism, delves not only into the tormented soul of the future rock star but also unveils his lesser-known musical odyssey. Join Hendrix on his path as he encounters legendary artists during his formative years – Little Richard, Ike & Tina Turner, BB King, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones.
Intriguing and captivating, this book promises a deeper understanding of the iconic figure. Uncover the story behind Hendrix's rise from obscurity to immortality.
95 pages, Hardcover
Published October 29, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 2, 2025
Kiss The Sky Jimi Hendrix 1942-1970
by J.M. Dupont and illustrated by Mezzo
published by Black Panel Press
Review by James Jeffrey
I came to reading this graphic novel not being overly familiar with anything about Jimi Hendrix’s life and only a surface awareness of his music. This book has given me a greater understanding of this artist who is revered for his creativity as a guitarist and singer. I also had not encountered any other works written by Jean-Michel (J.M.) Dupont, nor had I read anything illustrated by Mezzo. I also came to admire the style of writing and artwork that was chosen for this book. The book itself is as much of a resource for knowledge on Jimi as it is an entertaining way to get a look into his life.
The story is a biography of Jimi Hendrix from birth to his departure from the U.S. to London, England to begin the career that brought him to the music world’s attention. Jimi had a life that was far from easy, but the journey had me turning each page interested, but knowing that these struggles would lead him to creating great music. The story is narrated to us from a fellow musician, an unnamed contemporary, who compares some of the differences and similarities of their experiences to those Jimi was experiencing. I have my guess on which artist this is, but won’t share in case I am incorrect, or it might influence your guess. This storytelling process leads the story to seem almost “Forrest Gump”-esque due to the writer and artist’s ability to fill each page with so much incredible detail. Jimi met and worked with many famous musicians on his whimsical journey to his own music career. Each panel of the page is packed with amazingly detailed art that is uniquely illustrated. What is on the book, newspaper, TV, radio, record player, poster, flyer, give you as much information on what was happening in the world while we witness Jimi’s story. One of the joys is the details of all the famous and lesser known (but important) people who were a part of Jimi’s life. Every person is referenced in the back of the book as well as every song. This allows the reader to hear the sounds of the time and ascertain how they influenced the music Jimi was part of or influenced by. I really appreciated this attention to detail and it greatly added to the “Experience,” so to say.
I am looking forward to the second part of the story, but the strength here is that this book is not a cliffhanger. It can be read on its own and enjoyed as a complete story. Many admirers of Jimi Hendrix may be more familiar with what happens in the next volume, so this time is less explored. That makes this book a worthy introduction.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and exploring the references. If you are a fan of Jimi Hendrix, this is a book for you. If you enjoy biographies, this is a book for you. If you enjoy graphic novels, this is a book for you. I give this book my recommendation as time well spent.
by J.M. Dupont and illustrated by Mezzo
published by Black Panel Press
Review by James Jeffrey
I came to reading this graphic novel not being overly familiar with anything about Jimi Hendrix’s life and only a surface awareness of his music. This book has given me a greater understanding of this artist who is revered for his creativity as a guitarist and singer. I also had not encountered any other works written by Jean-Michel (J.M.) Dupont, nor had I read anything illustrated by Mezzo. I also came to admire the style of writing and artwork that was chosen for this book. The book itself is as much of a resource for knowledge on Jimi as it is an entertaining way to get a look into his life.
The story is a biography of Jimi Hendrix from birth to his departure from the U.S. to London, England to begin the career that brought him to the music world’s attention. Jimi had a life that was far from easy, but the journey had me turning each page interested, but knowing that these struggles would lead him to creating great music. The story is narrated to us from a fellow musician, an unnamed contemporary, who compares some of the differences and similarities of their experiences to those Jimi was experiencing. I have my guess on which artist this is, but won’t share in case I am incorrect, or it might influence your guess. This storytelling process leads the story to seem almost “Forrest Gump”-esque due to the writer and artist’s ability to fill each page with so much incredible detail. Jimi met and worked with many famous musicians on his whimsical journey to his own music career. Each panel of the page is packed with amazingly detailed art that is uniquely illustrated. What is on the book, newspaper, TV, radio, record player, poster, flyer, give you as much information on what was happening in the world while we witness Jimi’s story. One of the joys is the details of all the famous and lesser known (but important) people who were a part of Jimi’s life. Every person is referenced in the back of the book as well as every song. This allows the reader to hear the sounds of the time and ascertain how they influenced the music Jimi was part of or influenced by. I really appreciated this attention to detail and it greatly added to the “Experience,” so to say.
I am looking forward to the second part of the story, but the strength here is that this book is not a cliffhanger. It can be read on its own and enjoyed as a complete story. Many admirers of Jimi Hendrix may be more familiar with what happens in the next volume, so this time is less explored. That makes this book a worthy introduction.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and exploring the references. If you are a fan of Jimi Hendrix, this is a book for you. If you enjoy biographies, this is a book for you. If you enjoy graphic novels, this is a book for you. I give this book my recommendation as time well spent.
October 16, 2024
Considering that I call Seattle my hometown, it should come as no surprise that I couldn't resist a graphic novel featuring one of my city's most famous musicians. As I settled in and opened it to page one, the very first panel let me know in no uncertain terms that this was going to be an experience - a true Jimi 'are you experienced' experience.
Mezzo's artwork is determined to pull you headfirst into each panel. Drawn in what often appears to be white ink on black paper, each frame is heavy with jet-black shadows, half-lit like a streetlight throwing just enough illumination to reveal the settings and the characters raw emotions.
I appreciated the little details tucked into nearly every panel. I lingered over them, reading nightclub marquee headlines, admiring building facades, and marveling over the tiny everyday objects of life that firmly anchored the story in the past. This was not a fast read, yet somehow in spite of that it was over all too soon.
Author Jean-Michel Dupont has clearly done his homework. There so much I never knew about Jimi's upbringing and early days as a musician. I didn't realize how rough of a time he really had as a child. And I never knew just how many of his guitars were broken or stolen! I can't help but wonder if all those lost guitars early on were emotionally connected to his smashing of guitars on stage in his later years.
The story stops just short of Jimi's explosion onto the music scene in 1970. I'm very much on board to read Part Two when it comes out. After all, that's the part of Jimi's life that many of us of a Certain Age remember so well.
It should come as no surprise that many iconic songs are referenced throughout. And starting at the point when Jimi joins his first band, notable musician namedropping is everywhere. A 'Soundtrack' section at the back of the book lists the song references by page and panel number, song title, performer, and songwriter. Also, all book, film, and web sources used in the creation of this graphic novel are cited, and can serve as a jumping-off point for further exploration.
Kiss the Sky releases on October 22nd, 2024. You can buy it from Black Panel Press. It's a well-constructed hardcover book with a striking cover that you wouldn't mind putting on display. Here's a link - and be sure to click the cover art to view a sampling of the interior pages: https://blackpanelpress.com/en/produc...
Mezzo's artwork is determined to pull you headfirst into each panel. Drawn in what often appears to be white ink on black paper, each frame is heavy with jet-black shadows, half-lit like a streetlight throwing just enough illumination to reveal the settings and the characters raw emotions.
I appreciated the little details tucked into nearly every panel. I lingered over them, reading nightclub marquee headlines, admiring building facades, and marveling over the tiny everyday objects of life that firmly anchored the story in the past. This was not a fast read, yet somehow in spite of that it was over all too soon.
Author Jean-Michel Dupont has clearly done his homework. There so much I never knew about Jimi's upbringing and early days as a musician. I didn't realize how rough of a time he really had as a child. And I never knew just how many of his guitars were broken or stolen! I can't help but wonder if all those lost guitars early on were emotionally connected to his smashing of guitars on stage in his later years.
The story stops just short of Jimi's explosion onto the music scene in 1970. I'm very much on board to read Part Two when it comes out. After all, that's the part of Jimi's life that many of us of a Certain Age remember so well.
It should come as no surprise that many iconic songs are referenced throughout. And starting at the point when Jimi joins his first band, notable musician namedropping is everywhere. A 'Soundtrack' section at the back of the book lists the song references by page and panel number, song title, performer, and songwriter. Also, all book, film, and web sources used in the creation of this graphic novel are cited, and can serve as a jumping-off point for further exploration.
Kiss the Sky releases on October 22nd, 2024. You can buy it from Black Panel Press. It's a well-constructed hardcover book with a striking cover that you wouldn't mind putting on display. Here's a link - and be sure to click the cover art to view a sampling of the interior pages: https://blackpanelpress.com/en/produc...
March 21, 2025
Jimi Hendrix graphic novel by Dupont and Mezzo
I recently finished reading a Jimi Hendrix graphic novel, a black & white hardcover edition spanning about 100 pages. The book is written by Jean-Michel Dupont and illustrated by Mezzo, both artists from France. The English translation was released in October 2024. Although I wasn't familiar with Dupont and Mezzo before, I truly admire the effort they put into creating this amazing book. The artwork is exceptionally unique and detailed—they did a fantastic job. I’m already eagerly awaiting next volume two!
The graphic novel portrays Jimi's challenging life, from his upbringing in Seattle in the 1940s and his family's subsequent moves, to his relationships, business partners, and experiences in the music industry. It covers his difficult childhood with a slutty mother & tough father, his parents' divorce, and his father gaining custody through the courts, as well as his purchase of a guitar at age 15.
The book also recounts his one year in the Army followed by a discharge, his challenging apprenticeship, and his move to Tennessee, where he played in various bands alongside some well-known musicians. Eventually, he won an amateur award and recorded his first album. I'll stop here to avoid spoilers, so you can discover the rest for yourself.
Although I'm not particularly into music, I found the story to be both fantastic and authentic. I believe anyone would enjoy it. My only wish is that they would release both volumes in a single book.
I recently finished reading a Jimi Hendrix graphic novel, a black & white hardcover edition spanning about 100 pages. The book is written by Jean-Michel Dupont and illustrated by Mezzo, both artists from France. The English translation was released in October 2024. Although I wasn't familiar with Dupont and Mezzo before, I truly admire the effort they put into creating this amazing book. The artwork is exceptionally unique and detailed—they did a fantastic job. I’m already eagerly awaiting next volume two!
The graphic novel portrays Jimi's challenging life, from his upbringing in Seattle in the 1940s and his family's subsequent moves, to his relationships, business partners, and experiences in the music industry. It covers his difficult childhood with a slutty mother & tough father, his parents' divorce, and his father gaining custody through the courts, as well as his purchase of a guitar at age 15.
The book also recounts his one year in the Army followed by a discharge, his challenging apprenticeship, and his move to Tennessee, where he played in various bands alongside some well-known musicians. Eventually, he won an amateur award and recorded his first album. I'll stop here to avoid spoilers, so you can discover the rest for yourself.
Although I'm not particularly into music, I found the story to be both fantastic and authentic. I believe anyone would enjoy it. My only wish is that they would release both volumes in a single book.
January 3, 2025
I know only the broad strokes of Jimi Hendrix’s life, so the events in this book - from his birth to 1966 - were all new to me. And while it did cover a lot of ground, with a lot of people who enter and exit (or are left behind), from the first page it’s clear it’s not going to be a step by step chronological retelling of a life, but something deeper and more philosophical and thoughtful.
Visually, the black and white art is amazing and beautiful, striking a balance between realistic and emotionally driven, asking to be lingered over and enjoyed. In addition to the detailed and clearly depicted characters and key locations, panels contain details that provide context for the world the characters live in, like unobtrusively using newspaper headlines in a corner of a panel to let the reader know the era and what was going on in the world during key moment’s of this journey.
While many of the names and songs aren’t familiar to me, they were all laid out and presented in such a way that I could understand their importance in their time and to the story. There was a lot of ground to cover here, over many years and also many moments of success and failure, love and heartbreak that it could feel boring or a rote checking off of important moments, but it felt like a story following a real person who was trying, sometimes in spite of himself, to achieve the success and artistic expression he knew he was capable of.
Already looking forward to Part 2!
Visually, the black and white art is amazing and beautiful, striking a balance between realistic and emotionally driven, asking to be lingered over and enjoyed. In addition to the detailed and clearly depicted characters and key locations, panels contain details that provide context for the world the characters live in, like unobtrusively using newspaper headlines in a corner of a panel to let the reader know the era and what was going on in the world during key moment’s of this journey.
While many of the names and songs aren’t familiar to me, they were all laid out and presented in such a way that I could understand their importance in their time and to the story. There was a lot of ground to cover here, over many years and also many moments of success and failure, love and heartbreak that it could feel boring or a rote checking off of important moments, but it felt like a story following a real person who was trying, sometimes in spite of himself, to achieve the success and artistic expression he knew he was capable of.
Already looking forward to Part 2!
January 14, 2025
I enjoyed this graphic novel about Jimi Hendrix's life! The artwork was extremely detailed and draws your attention. There was a lot of information packed into the 95 pages, so it was a little overwhelming at first, but it was written in a way that I could understand, even as someone with only very basic knowledge of Jimi Hendrix prior to reading. Additionally the binding and print was beautifully done.
December 28, 2024
This is a great biographical look at the early life of Jimi Hendrix. The art is fantastic black and white, thick line art. The story is one I didn’t know about and really pulled me in. Love that the shape of this book is a nod to a square, vinyl album cover/sleeve.
February 20, 2025
Amazing artwork with a unique story. Definitely a must have for any Jimi Hendrix fan.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews