Steve McQueen: Full-Throttle Cool

by Dwight Jon Zimmerman, Greg Scott (Visual Art)

Rediscover, or experience for the first time, the incredible life story of a true American icon. Steve McQueen said, "I'm not sure whether I'm an actor who races or a racer who acts." Fortunately for us, he was the best of both. McQueen left an indelible imprint as one of Hollywood's sexiest leading men. His masterful film roles in Bullitt, The Great Escape, The Thomas Crown Affair , and Papillion have been often imitated but never repeated. An actor, motorcycle and automobile racer, and all-around gearhead, McQueen also epitomized the American dream, rising from hardscrabble circumstances to become one of the most famous movie stars in the world. Steve Full-Throttle Cool presents McQueen's life story in an artistic, graphic-novel format. It covers his entire life, from his earliest years growing up in a suburb of Indianapolis to his death from mesothelioma. Learn all about his stunning movie career, in which he defined the antihero archetype. The cool panache he brought to the screen was perhaps only matched by his adrenaline-pumping racing exploits. Get the full measure of both from this book.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Media Tie In, Comics, Biography, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

DWIGHT JON ZIMMERMAN is an award-winning author and producer. His most recent book, Uncommon Valor: The Medal of Honor and the Six Warriors Who Earned It in Afghanistan and Iraq, co-authored with John D. Gresham and published by St. Martin’s Press, received the 2010 Founder’s Award from the Military Writers Society of America, the organization’s highest honor. Zimmerman’s other books include the award-winning The Vietnam War: A Graphic History (Hill & Wang), with artist Wayne Vansant, the first-ever single-volume graphic history of the Vietnam War; the critically acclaimed Beyond Hell and Back (St. Martin’s Press), with co-author John D. Gresham, about seven pivotal special operations missions from Vietnam to present day, and the award-winning First Command: Paths to Leadership (Vandamere Press), about the pivotal moments in the early careers of some of America’s most important generals. First Command later became an award-winning mini-series on the Military Channel. Zimmerman has lectured at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Naval War College and has written numerous articles on military history subjects. His articles have been selected by the Naval War College for use in their curriculum and recognized by the prestigious Journal of Special Operations Medicine. Zimmerman began his career in publishing at Marvel Comics, where he held a variety of editorial positions. In 1992, Zimmerman became executive editor of Topps Comics and was responsible for the editorial and art direction of its lines of media tie-in comics.

His next book is Saga of the Sioux an authorized young adult adaptation of Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Zimmerman lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife and daughter.

Reviews

[Andréa Geleynse · Rating 2 out of 5]

A graphic-novel biography is interesting in theory but it doesn’t quite work in reality. As a Steve McQueen fan I found this disappointing.

[AmyKatherine1974 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve McQueen, actor, stunt man, pilot,motorcycle and race car driver. Is there any question as to why he was called the King Of Cool? There is a new book out detailing the life of the King of Cool, Steve McQueen called Steve McQueen: Full- Throttle Cool by Dwight Zimmerman and Greg Scott. However this book is not your average biography of the popular actor. In fact some people might not even consider it a book- as it is a graphic novel. Yep that is right – a graphic novel. What is a graphic novel you might ask? Well a graphic novel is a basically a bound comic book.

So this is a biographical comic book of Steve McQueen’s complete life. It starts off with him as a child in Indianapolis where he lived with his mother and step-father and follows him throughout his early career in the military through his acting career to his death of mesothelioma in the seventies.

I am going to admit that I while I have never been a big fan of comic books- I can honestly say this one held my attention- likely because it was factual. The artist renderings in the graphic novel are captivating in a nearly film-like way and illustrate the McQueen and his anti-hero archetype. The only downfall I can see about this graphic novel is I feel the novel, only 90 pages, glosses over some of McQueen’s grittier personality characteristics. That said I really think this graphic novel by Dwight Zimmerman and Greg Scott would be a good choice for any motor sports or Steve McQueen fan’s or bibliophile’s collection for the novelty of it (pun totally intended). (review appears on BadGroove.com)

[Elle Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess, I am a Steve McQueen junkie, I have always loved the man and his movies and so I possibly went into this book with a strong bias running but That said, I did really enjoy this read and learnt a lot more about the man and the myth. It is easy to see why he earned the nickname 'king of cool'; from donating his time and money to charities, to his escapades as a racing driver and motorbike racer, to his movies, his method acting, and to the women who fell in love with him - he was just awesome. The narrative of this biography was fast-paced, succinct, and informative. The art perhaps needed a shot of colour every now and then but it was well drawn and set the scene beautifully.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a graphic novel it is very superficial but how can you not like anything about Steve McQueen.

[Michael Rhode]

Well-done biographical comic book. I hadn't been too familiar with McQueen's career and this was a good overview. The art, while obviously done using photo-reference, is clear and aids the story.