Bluesman: Book 1

Bluesman

by Rob Vollmar, Pablo G. Callejo

This story, structured like a traditional twelve bar blues song, with three sections each made of four chapters, follows blues musician Lem Taylor’s harrowing journey across Arkansas of the late twenties, hunted for a crime he didn’t commit. In volume one, he and his blues companion find a gig in a ‘juke’ outside a small town. Their music takes it by storm leading even to a well connected man offering a recording session. However, that night, they accept the invitation of two ladies to go home with them, a fatal mistake, as one of the ladies’ lover, a white man who happens to belong to a powerful bootlegging family, shows up unexpectedly. The result is a triple murder with only Lem and his lady friend left standing. Formerly from Absence of Ink Comic Press, now exclusively from NBM.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Music, Comics, Historical Fiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Skye Kilaen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two traveling African-American blues musicians. White racism. This isn’t going to end well. A graphic novel set in the early 20th century in Arkansas, it doesn't flinch from showing the ugly brutality of racist violence. But instead of relying on violence for shock value, Bluesman centers the human experience of Lem Taylor, one of the musicians. The story takes him on an epic journey which sadly has no happy ending. The illustrations are dark and somber, in keeping with the tragedy of the plot, and the woodcut / printing style helps set the time period. Vollmar and Callejo include some historical background notes, sparingly, not overwhelming the action or the emotion of the book. I appreciated it, since I wasn’t very familiar with the specific setting for the story. I was impressed with the craftsmanship here, and I can forgive Vollmar and Callejo for kicking me right in the heart at the end. It had to be done.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a quick read and got me interested enough for book two.

[HeavyReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this book only two stars, but the art is so fabulous that I decided that it really deserved three.

The story of this "twelve bar graphic narrative in the key of life and death" is about two traveling bluesmen, trying to survive in the cold, cruel Depression-era world. There is sleeping in barns (and facing the wrong end of a gun when discovered by the farmer) and swift talking for food. By the end of the book, the reader is supposed to feel like he/she is in the middle of a blues song.

The art is incredible and lovely to look at--a real treat. I wish I knew what technique was used to create such great work.

[Diane Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to write about all three books in one rather than try and separate it into three entries, as I just read them straight through. This was really good! A good story with a lot of heart and sadness, and the illustrations were fabulous, and I really cared for these characters. I heard that the third book was a bit of a letdown for others but it wasn't for me at all. It was actually a touching coda to the story.

I also loved that, like DVD extras, the books had some bonus storyboards and sketches to see a bit of the process in action.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this was a short read, I was really impressed by it! Documenting a couple of traveling African-American Blues singers of the 1920s, Vollmar does such a great job of building the characters within a dozen or so inches of text, that the reader truly wants good things to happen to the 2 primary characters. I found this to be a very real (if not gritty) and heartfelt snapshot of quite another place and period of time. Everything from the portrayal of a '20s style "juke" to the language of the characters, this felt authentic. Well worth my time!

[Qiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unexpected and nicely designed tale of a traveling bluesman in the South during segregation. I wish the characters had a little more dimension, but the artwork is great - like old woodcuts done in black and white.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet. read this in portland

[Danna]

Just saw this on the NPR website; check out the review here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/st...

[Speaker Stelios · Rating 4 out of 5]

great graphics, nice light reading. I am defo going for book2 as well!

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follows 2 traveling musicians just living off the kindness of people who enjoy their music. Paints a good picture of the typical musician life back in the day.

[Paul Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great combination of story and art. Looking forward to picking up the next book.