Black Coal and Red Bandanas

by Raymond Tyler, Paul Buhle (editor), Shaun Slifer (contributor)

Our illustrated history begins with Mary Harris 'Mother' Jones arrival at the turn of the century. White-haired, matronly, and fiercely socialist, Jones became known as the 'miners' angel,' and helped turn the fledgling United Mine Workers into the nation's most powerful labour union. 'Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living,' was her famous battle cry. In 1912, miners led by stubborn Frank Keeney struck against harsh conditions in the work camps of Paint and Cabin Creeks. Coal operators responded by enlisting violent Baldwin-Felts guards. The ensuing battles and murderous events caused the governor to declare and execute martial law on a scale unprecedented in the US. On May 19, 1920, in response to evictions by coal company agents, gunshots rang through the streets of a small-town in 'Bloody Mingo' county. In an event soon known as the 'Matewan Massacre'; the pro-union, quick-draw chief of police Smilin' Sid Hatfield became an unexpected celebrity - but also a marked man. Events climax with the dramatic Battle of Blair Mountain that pitched the spontaneous Red Neck Army of 10,000 armed strikers against a paid army of gun thugs in the largest labour uprising in US history and the largest armed uprising since the American Civil War. This graphic interpretation of people's history features unforgettable main characters while also displaying the diverse rank and file workers who stood in solidarity during this struggle.

Genres: Graphic Novels, History, Nonfiction, Labor, Comics

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My roommate got this at a zine fest in Greensboro, NC, and I nabbed it to read first. This is the most informative graphic novel I've ever read. The art style is unique and suits this topic well, since it comes across as a little gritty. The pops of red sell it, too. I really loved the background information on all the events that take place, but it lets the story speak for itself when it needs to. I learned a lot reading this, especially having not read about this topic much at all. I'd heard of Mother Jones because of the magazine, but I didn't truly know anything about her.
An incredibly worthwhile read that tells a story that often goes untold. I'd recommend this to anyone with an interest in labor history in the US, but also really any left-leaning person.
Some quotes:
"No capitalist is ever going to just give you what you need out of the kindness of their heart! Who keeps these camps up and running? If your roof has a leak does the company come and fix it? Does the company cook the food your husbands eat so they can sustain and make more money for the company?"
"The struggle is long, Frank. We're going up against a vicious system. Each act of resistance shakes it, weakens it, weakens the structure of oppression. Most times those acts of resistance aren't enough to bring the entire structure down."

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-presented, absorbing, and educational, Black Coal and Red Bandanas is another example that shows off how well the graphic format can work to plunge readers into a historical event. We are tilting once again toward the consequence-free corporate misbehavior and excesses of this era, so telling these stories remains vital.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before finding this book I had learned a little bit about the West Virginia mine wars. Mostly I've heard/read people mention it in books and podcasts about unions or mines, and I remember one full podcast episode dedicated to this specifically. It's a really important topic, especially to those of us who care about radical history, and it's something that we definitely don't learn in school.

Tyler and McClinton teamed up to tell this story in the perfect way: through a graphic novel. They lay everything out in an easy to read, straightforward way, with phenomenal art work. You could blow through this entire book in an hour or two, or you can take your time and study each cell. I did the former, but will go back and do the latter for sure.

This was truly a war. I know Amazon workers (among many others) get treated horribly in this day and age, and they've been fighting back, but it doesn't compare to what happened in West Virginia in the early 20th century. The miners (many of whom were minors) were forced to work significantly too many hours, doing horribly dangerous work, for a pathetic paycheck; most of which was taken by the company because they often owned the whole town. If they even mentioned the word union, they were dealt with, often violently. Then they fought back...often with guns and tremendous loss on either side. It's not easy to say if the miners won or lost because the war is definitely not over, but they sure put up a hell of a fight. One that everyone who cares about the labor movement in 2025 should study.

This is a great thing to read during this time of year. Choose a cold day, brew yourself a pot of coffee, choose a seat near a window, and read this dang book.

[Miroku Nemeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I saw this on an anniversary post for the Battle for Blair Mountain for the Zinn Education Project and ordered it immediately. It can be read easily in a sitting, but I feel that you come away from reading it having learned extremely significant history. I also love the idea in it of a ground up instead of top down museum--one where the people tell their own history of labor struggles and conflict that isn't whitewashed in favor of monied interests. I know we need it here in California's Central Valley.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to the forgotten history of the West Virginia Mine Wars. It will leave you wanting more details on these proud individuals.

[Jessie Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Coal & Black Bandanas, written by Raymond Tyler and illustrated by Summer McClinton, is a poingenant graphic novel about the coal wars of West Virginia. It is far from an in-depth account, but it does well to introduce key players, such as Mother Jones, Sid Hatfield, and Frenk Keeney, and to give an overview of what occurred. It had already inspired me to want to learn more, and that was only reinforced with the seemingly abrupt ending. If you already have a working knowledge of the coal wars, then this book probably won't tell you anything new, but it's still worth a read to see the information interpreted in this new, artistic way.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There is never peace in West Virginia because there is never justice.”

This was a beautifully illustrated history of the West Virginia mine wars. I really loved the black inking with only red coloring on the bandanas, blood, and torches. It just helped emphasize the scenes.

“No capitalist is ever going to just give you what you need out of the kindness of their heart!”

While this can’t go into all of the details of the mine wars, it hits all the highlights that lead up to the Battle of Blair Mountain and the end of the mine wars. It covers Mother Jones' first time in West Virginia trying to start a union, the Paint Creek & Cabin Creek Strikes, the Matewan Massacre, and finally the Battle of Blair Mountain. These are all the major events of the mine wars, but this is a very brief overview of them so I highly recommend reading one of the books discussed in the introduction for more in depth information.

My only real complaint with this is that some of the scenes began and ended abruptly. I felt like it needed one or two more panels to introduce or end a scene, but I can understand why that might be hard with how much history they had to condense in so few pages.

Overall, this was a great introduction to the mine wars and I highly recommend it. Also, definitely check out other books on the mine wars to get a more in depth look at what these miners went through.

[Jennifer Pletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon says:
Our illustrated history begins with Mary Harris "Mother" Jone's arrival at the turn of the century. White-haired, matronly, and fiercely socialist, Jones became known as the "miners' angel", and helped turn the fledglind United Mine Workers into the nation's most powerful labor union. In 1912, miners led by stubborn Frank Keeney struck against harsh conditions in the work camps of Paint and Cabin Creeks. Coal operators responded by elisting violent Baldwin-Felts guards. The ensuing battles and murderous events caused the governor to declare and execute martial law on a scale unprecedented in the US. On May 19, 1920 in response to evictions by coal company agents, the "Matewan Massacre" event occured. This graphic interpretation of people's history features unforgettable main characters while also displaying the diverse rank nd file workers who stood in solidarity during this struggle.

This was a good graphic novel. It is short, but it covers a lot of material and does it well. I did not know anything about this story, and learned a lot about the unions that were formed for mine workers and the cost. My husband got it for me as a present knowing I am a fan of non-fiction and graphic novels, and it was a good one.

[Geoff Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview or introduction to the history of the early 1900s West Virginia mine wars, when unionised mine workers battled mine owners, paid union busters and strike breakers, and scabs (strike-breaking workers).

Easy to follow graphic novel with stylish images rendered in limited palette of black, white and red.

Includes key characters like union organiser “Mother” Jones, union leader Frank Sweeney, union sympathiser Sheriff Sid Hatfield.

Would be well accompanied by a viewing of the terrific fictionalised film “Matewan” (1987) directed by John Sayles, which depicts one of the union battles. The full film was until recently at least available in high definition on YouTube (search Matewan 1987 ★ Chris Cooper ★ Full Movie HD)

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another read in my US history through graphic novels! Very bite sized and took my like hour or two to read.

Engaging and interesting telling of the story of the Virginia Mine Wars! Go Unions! I often forget that many people fought and resisted hard for our country not to be a capitalist hell hole. This is good history to know when Trump and Elon Musk are taking over, but Unions like UAW, etc. could offer us a way to resist anti-worker, anti-labor government and coroporations.

[Aonarán]

I thought this with an excellent overview of life in the mines, mining towns, and the struggle to unionize during the West Virginia Coal Wars.

I think it would be a good overview for someone unfamiliar with the topics, but can't say for sure and am curious to know what it's like for someone who knew nothing about the coal wars going into it.

4.5

[Matt Beaty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great artwork and decent primer on the West Virginia Mine Wars. The foreward and back pages have really good further reading suggestions, which may be the part I get the most out of it, since I've read more in-depth stories about this topic. However, this seems like it would be a great introduction to the uprising and some of its main characters.

[Grace Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great graphic novel of the history of the southern WV Mine Wars! I highly recommend if you know nothing on the topic or just enjoy history told in this format.

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the eARC!

[Vivek KuRa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The least known West Virginia miner labor union's struggle against injustice and for basic human rights in 1901 is reintroduced through this illustrated book. It is one of the ignored, forgotten or white washed American labor union histories. A must read if you interested in these subjects.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great illustrative history of the Coal Wars in such a succinct volume.

[QuinnLikesGrins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good writing, important story, accessible storytelling. I've been waiting for this to come out and it was worth the wait

[Nestor Ivanovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing graphic novel

[Rebecca Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Tells a concise history of the miners' militant struggle in the early 20th century. Would be perfect to assign for students at the high school or college level.

[Beth Yordy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Easy read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite part was Jimmy Stewart as Frank Keeney

[Glennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot I didn't realize I didn't even know. Great entry point to this chapter of history and one I am looking forward to learning more about 3.5
TY to Victoria for the rec <3

[Jacob · Rating 1 out of 5]

The illustrator appears to have just traced stills from It’s a Wonderful Life into panels without acknowledgment. Weird form of theft.

[Michael Daines · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the West Virginia mine wars, though a little drier than I expect from a graphic novel.