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Now Let Me Fly: A Portrait of Eugene Bullard
From author Ronald Wimberly, creator of the viral comic Lighten Up , comes a soaring graphic biography that casts new light on the first African-American fighter pilot.
On the eve of World War I, Eugene Bullard was a refugee of the Jim Crow South who was determined to find a place where a Black man would be treated as a fellow human being. His search took him from rural Georgia to the streets of Paris, from the vaudeville stage to the boxing ring, and finally, from the muddy trenches to the open skies. In 1914, Bullard joined the fight to defend France―and made history as the world’s first African American fighter pilot.
In this candid but sensitive portrait of Bullard, author Ronald Wimberly balances the personal and the historical to interrogate concepts of cynicism, idealism, fear, glory, and the pervasiveness of anti-Black racism.
On the eve of World War I, Eugene Bullard was a refugee of the Jim Crow South who was determined to find a place where a Black man would be treated as a fellow human being. His search took him from rural Georgia to the streets of Paris, from the vaudeville stage to the boxing ring, and finally, from the muddy trenches to the open skies. In 1914, Bullard joined the fight to defend France―and made history as the world’s first African American fighter pilot.
In this candid but sensitive portrait of Bullard, author Ronald Wimberly balances the personal and the historical to interrogate concepts of cynicism, idealism, fear, glory, and the pervasiveness of anti-Black racism.
322 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
June 14, 2023
One of those graphic biographies where the subject -- the adventurous and heroic Eugene Bullard, in this case -- carries you past the shortcomings of the book's writer and artist.
Bullard fled the racism of his childhood home of Columbus, Georgia, and made his way to Europe where he could live without fear of lynch mobs. He had settled in France by the outbreak of World War I and quickly volunteered for the French Foreign Legion to defend his new country, first on the ground with the infantry and then in the air as the first African American fighter pilot. His story is by turns sad, scary, thrilling, and improbable.
Unfortunately, this book chooses to tell his story with a tired framing device of Bullard -- an elevator operator in 1950s New York City -- telling his life story to a television executive when they become stuck in a malfunctioning elevator. The narration lacks dates and broader context for much of the book. Without the cover copy, readers without much historical knowledge might not be able to tell what war is being depicted in the back half of the book.
The book gets bogged down a bit in the trenches of World War I for a little too long with some extended action sequences that feel like they could be stock footage from any number of war movies. The repeated wounds Bullard sustains are rather glossed over to get back to the action. It's not until page 265 -- 82% of the way through the book -- that the possibility of becoming a pilot is mentioned in the flashbacks. The book then zips through his aerial career and ends before the war's armistice and decades before the 1950s elevator sequence, teasing that they've only told half of Bullard's story. What?!?!?
If they ever do a sequel, I'd gladly pick it up. But there may be some better sources out there to find out about this extraordinary man.
Bullard fled the racism of his childhood home of Columbus, Georgia, and made his way to Europe where he could live without fear of lynch mobs. He had settled in France by the outbreak of World War I and quickly volunteered for the French Foreign Legion to defend his new country, first on the ground with the infantry and then in the air as the first African American fighter pilot. His story is by turns sad, scary, thrilling, and improbable.
Unfortunately, this book chooses to tell his story with a tired framing device of Bullard -- an elevator operator in 1950s New York City -- telling his life story to a television executive when they become stuck in a malfunctioning elevator. The narration lacks dates and broader context for much of the book. Without the cover copy, readers without much historical knowledge might not be able to tell what war is being depicted in the back half of the book.
The book gets bogged down a bit in the trenches of World War I for a little too long with some extended action sequences that feel like they could be stock footage from any number of war movies. The repeated wounds Bullard sustains are rather glossed over to get back to the action. It's not until page 265 -- 82% of the way through the book -- that the possibility of becoming a pilot is mentioned in the flashbacks. The book then zips through his aerial career and ends before the war's armistice and decades before the 1950s elevator sequence, teasing that they've only told half of Bullard's story. What?!?!?
If they ever do a sequel, I'd gladly pick it up. But there may be some better sources out there to find out about this extraordinary man.
April 13, 2023
NOW LET ME FLY is one of those "Wow" books for me. I would absolutely hand it to a person who thinks they don't like graphic novels. Absorbing and affecting, books such as FLY really show off what this medium can do.
June 6, 2023
Now Let Me Fly is another one of those graphic biographies you read and go "holy shit, where's the movie?" Eugene Bullard was the first Black combat pilot during WWI, which is pretty neat on its own. But he was also so much more! Among other things, he ran away from home, crossed the Atlantic as a stowaway, fought as a boxer in the UK, and battled in the trenches as a foreign legionnaire. Just take a glance at his Wikipedia entry! The man's life was stacked!
And, as Now Let Me Fly reveals, after all of Eugene's many overseas adventures, he ultimately worked as an elevator operator in the Rockefeller Center. The framing story in the book sees an ad man in the building stuck in the elevator with Eugene, who slowly unwinds his life story. The ad man is flabbergasted, naturally. What's this war hero doing operating an elevator?
Racism, obviously. Now Let Me Fly isn't shy about showing the racist world Eugene encountered. (Though I will say, the framing story is a tad pat - white man raises up unsung black hero, etc.) Overall, though, Now Let Me Fly is a just plain fascinating story. You can't make this stuff up! The crisp, clear artwork with a muted palette works well, allowing the story to move along as a fast clip. No shiny extras necessary here - Eugene's story has more than enough juice to keep you engaged.
And, as Now Let Me Fly reveals, after all of Eugene's many overseas adventures, he ultimately worked as an elevator operator in the Rockefeller Center. The framing story in the book sees an ad man in the building stuck in the elevator with Eugene, who slowly unwinds his life story. The ad man is flabbergasted, naturally. What's this war hero doing operating an elevator?
Racism, obviously. Now Let Me Fly isn't shy about showing the racist world Eugene encountered. (Though I will say, the framing story is a tad pat - white man raises up unsung black hero, etc.) Overall, though, Now Let Me Fly is a just plain fascinating story. You can't make this stuff up! The crisp, clear artwork with a muted palette works well, allowing the story to move along as a fast clip. No shiny extras necessary here - Eugene's story has more than enough juice to keep you engaged.
May 10, 2025
I have encountered Gene Bullard's story elsewhere but knew I wanted to read the biography of him to get his story more in depth. This is not the biography that I was referencing obviously, but I saw it at my library and was delighted to pick it up! I think if you are not familiar with Bullard's life that this would be a pretty great introduction to him. It is well structured and very interesting!
I liked the art throughout, the whole book is black, white, and beige but it is really visually interesting. The passages with text were just as engaging as the illustration only scenes.
I am now going to need to put Bullard's biography higher up my list, and this guy really would be quite an interesting subject for a movie.
I liked the art throughout, the whole book is black, white, and beige but it is really visually interesting. The passages with text were just as engaging as the illustration only scenes.
I am now going to need to put Bullard's biography higher up my list, and this guy really would be quite an interesting subject for a movie.
September 4, 2022
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free graphic novel*
Eugene Bullard was one of the first American Black military pilots and this graphic novel traces his story from child to pilot. Through a framing device, Bullard works as an elevator operator later in his life, we see how a remarkable man is mostly forgotten. I would have loved to see more of Bullard's life as the ending of the graphic novel teasers at his even more interesting work saving people from White supremacy, but overall this was pretty cool. I'm not really interested in military stuff, but the graphic novel was well drawn and easy to consume.
4 stars
Eugene Bullard was one of the first American Black military pilots and this graphic novel traces his story from child to pilot. Through a framing device, Bullard works as an elevator operator later in his life, we see how a remarkable man is mostly forgotten. I would have loved to see more of Bullard's life as the ending of the graphic novel teasers at his even more interesting work saving people from White supremacy, but overall this was pretty cool. I'm not really interested in military stuff, but the graphic novel was well drawn and easy to consume.
4 stars
January 11, 2023
*Thanks to First Second for giving me the ARC of this graphic novel in exchange of a honest review*
Part of Eugene Bullard's biography turn graphic novel. I found it incredibly well told resuming his life experiences up until WWI and telling the reader there's more to come in the years following. Very educational for people interested in importat figures of aviation and hesitate to read a full-on biography.
Brahm Revel's artwork is dynamic and limits the coloring to one tone, which isn't so bad for a +300 pages graphic novel. If it had full color i bet it'd be in production still.
Great book.
Part of Eugene Bullard's biography turn graphic novel. I found it incredibly well told resuming his life experiences up until WWI and telling the reader there's more to come in the years following. Very educational for people interested in importat figures of aviation and hesitate to read a full-on biography.
Brahm Revel's artwork is dynamic and limits the coloring to one tone, which isn't so bad for a +300 pages graphic novel. If it had full color i bet it'd be in production still.
Great book.
November 14, 2025
A definite "wow!" Another book left over from committee work, and I really wish I had read it before now. (It wasn't eligible for the award or I probably would have.) I had never heard of Bullard, and that's a shame. I'd definitely want this book in any high school or public library because it's a forgotten, largely unknown from the beginning, story of a man who needs to be remembered. The fact that it's a graphic novel makes it easily accessible and a quick read.
June 17, 2023
Very well done biography of Eugene Bullard, the first African American fighter pilot. Would have happily spent more time on any number of various adventures and selves Bullard experienced and lived (Jim Crow South, living amongst Stanley Gypsies, stowaway, boxer-- the man contained multitudes!) though this graphic novel does a nice job of offering a spirited overview.
February 12, 2023
An impressive graphic adaptation of the life of Eugene Bullard, a fighter pilot and expat during World War II. I found this book to be interesting and very accessible.
July 7, 2025
Narration graphique, efficace bien que peu originale dressant le portrait d'une personne au parcours riche.
J'approfondirais bien l'histoire d'Eugène Bullard.
J'approfondirais bien l'histoire d'Eugène Bullard.
October 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this insight into the story of America's first black fighter pilot. There was much to learn about bravery and what makes a place home. The illustrations were a wonderful compliment to the narrative, oftentimes progressing the story on their own. The characters felt alive. It made me want to learn more about this part of history.
January 16, 2024
Beautiful graphic novel. I enjoy learning about history and new people. He lived a full life. Not sure how he ended up back in the U.S. But he survived two world wars and was part of the creative expat life with other Black Americans leaving the U.S. for a better life
January 14, 2023
Read this in two days. It's amazing. I've read several books on Eugene Bullard, and this follows them pretty closely; the stories are familiar, if slightly expanded for the illustrated format. The stories are well-told, the art is amazing. Very expressive, captures the emotions of the people very well. It also captures the beauty and thrill of flight the way few comics ever have.
Fantastic book, and well recommended for anyone who wants to know about Eugene Bullard, the wholly remarkable man who was the first African American to fly combat, and whose extraordinary life makes that achievement seem almost trivial. This covers only the first part of his life, and I hope there's a follow-up volume.
Fantastic book, and well recommended for anyone who wants to know about Eugene Bullard, the wholly remarkable man who was the first African American to fly combat, and whose extraordinary life makes that achievement seem almost trivial. This covers only the first part of his life, and I hope there's a follow-up volume.
April 10, 2023
I really enjoyed the yellow and black two-color art and Eugene's story. I had a hard time telling his war buddies apart.
July 10, 2025
عن سيرة حياة يُوجين بولارد أول طيار مقاتل أمريكي أسود ، هو بس في مشكلة صغيرة إنه مكنش طيار مقاتل في الجيش الأمريكي لأنه أصلا هرب من أمريكا بسبب العنصرية المفرطة ضد السود ، ومن أمريكا لأوروبا اللي المفروض كانت أقل عنصرية من أمريكا ، ومن شغلانة لشغلانة لحد لما اتطوع في الفيلق الأجنبي الفرنسي في الحرب العالمية الأولي اللي فرنسا كانت بتحارب فيها بالمغاربة والتوانسة والجزائريين والأفارقة الأمريكان واللي مش أمريكان كمان
مكنش عندهم رجالة تقريبا 🤣🤣🤣
وده مش قلش عليهم بس تقريبا ورغم كونهم من ضمن الامبراطوريات الاستعمارية معرفش ازاي هما الدولة الوحيدة اللي استسلمت في الحرب العالمية التانية عادي كده ، لا وتم احتلالهم كمان
المهم إنه بعد الحرب وبالكوسة أو بالواسطة أو رزقه بقي عشان مش لاقيين فرنساويين كفاية قاموا عينوه طيار كمان ، وبعد الحرب كمل معاهم ورجع اشتغل جاسوس في الحرب العالمية التانية ، مجابوش تفاصيلها دي ومعرفش عملها ازاي والألمان كانوا مركز��ن مع السود زي ماكانوا مركزين مع ناس تانية بس يعني مش مهم ، كده كده هو راح في زحمة الحياة بعد الحرب ما خلصت واتنقل في اكتر من شغلانة متواضعة لحد مارجع أمريكا اشتغل عامل اسانسير غلبان شايل النجمة بتاعة التميز في جيبه وعمال يوريها للناس ، ومحدش عرف بيه أصلا إلا لما طلع في التلفزيون يحكي حكايته بعد كده
إنما تكريم من الأمريكان مثلا أو اعتراف بيه أو أي حاجة يمشي حاله بيها ده محصلش خالص ، والصراحة عندهم حق أنا مش شايف أي بطولة في كونه مرتزق ساب بلده وراح يحارب في بلد تانية لمجرد لقمة العيش مش أكتر مش دفاعا عن قضية مثلا ولا عن أي حاجة أصلا ، بس يعني كعادتهم هناك في اختلاق بطولات وهمية وأبطال خارقين لبلد بلا تاريخ يستحق الحكي أصلا
الرسم كان بسيط ومميز جدا وأظنها لو اتنشرت كرواية عادية بتحكي حكاية عادية عن مرتزق/مغامر أمريكي اسود في الحرب العالمية الأولي زي أي فيلم أحداثه في الفترة دي وبعيدا عن كونها حقيقية كانت هتبقي أحلي بكتير من إنك تحزق كل الحزق ده عشان تعمل بطولة وهمية محصلتش أصلا في حرب كانت مليانة أبطال بجد ومش أمريكان طبعا
February 5, 2023
On December 22, 1959, Eugene Bullard told his story on the Today Show. It was an incredible tale of a boy born and raised in rural GA who ran away from home at 13 to find a place where a black man was treated like a human. He made his way north and then stowed away on a ship that took him to the UK. He found he had less trouble understanding the German spoken on the ship than he did with the English spoken in Britain. Ultimately he wound up in France where he fought with the French Foreign Legion in WWI and became the first African American fighter pilot. He also fought during WWII, but that part of the story will be revealed in the next book.
When Eugene first leaves home, he travels with a group of gypsies who’d emigrated from England. An old woman in the group calls Eugene “Sparrow,” and tells him about a group of Africans brought to the U.S. as slaves who refused to work, ran to the sea, sprouted wings, and flew back to Africa. The story inspires him for years until an army buddy tells him what really happened.
Everywhere he goes, Eugene runs up against racism, but he never lets it stop him. He moves from one challenge to the next, making friends and learning languages. It’s a good idea to have Google Translate handy while reading as the German and French phrases are often used without explanation.
This graphic novel biography features more pictures than words in telling the story that includes a lynch mob and action scenes typical during war. The story is not for younger readers as the language is often harsh, and the images, though not gruesome, often feature men who’ve died by one form of violence or another. 3.5
When Eugene first leaves home, he travels with a group of gypsies who’d emigrated from England. An old woman in the group calls Eugene “Sparrow,” and tells him about a group of Africans brought to the U.S. as slaves who refused to work, ran to the sea, sprouted wings, and flew back to Africa. The story inspires him for years until an army buddy tells him what really happened.
Everywhere he goes, Eugene runs up against racism, but he never lets it stop him. He moves from one challenge to the next, making friends and learning languages. It’s a good idea to have Google Translate handy while reading as the German and French phrases are often used without explanation.
This graphic novel biography features more pictures than words in telling the story that includes a lynch mob and action scenes typical during war. The story is not for younger readers as the language is often harsh, and the images, though not gruesome, often feature men who’ve died by one form of violence or another. 3.5
November 6, 2023
File this under the list shame because I never heard the name Eugene Bullard prior to this comic so kudos to these creators for shining a much-needed light on this topic. With that said this was an elegant portrait of the man as well as a candid reminder of the bigotry that exists within the human race, but also the courage of individuals to push beyond the boundaries society has placed upon them. In Bullard's case that was done in the literal sense as travel around the world as he refused to live under the rule of the Jim Crow South, only to walk into a battle of a different kind.
The cartooning here was tremendous. A distinct use of line to help define both emotion and character. The heavy use of a limited palette also helps establish a very distinct time and place. Pages had this yellow tint rather than the typical black and white design. Considering how much racial prejudice plays into this story no doubt that was a very concussion choice.
Now this was not a cavalcade of misery either that focused solely on suffering. There's just as much victory if not more so. Eugene Bullard was a man who broke barriers in ever sense of the word, and this lives up to that fact.
The cartooning here was tremendous. A distinct use of line to help define both emotion and character. The heavy use of a limited palette also helps establish a very distinct time and place. Pages had this yellow tint rather than the typical black and white design. Considering how much racial prejudice plays into this story no doubt that was a very concussion choice.
Now this was not a cavalcade of misery either that focused solely on suffering. There's just as much victory if not more so. Eugene Bullard was a man who broke barriers in ever sense of the word, and this lives up to that fact.
July 23, 2023
The execution of this story is what makes it. A story within a story about a man running late for dinner and the elevator operator he gets stuck in the elevator with end up talking-- but what the elevator operator tells him is beyond compare- he is Eugene Bullard, a World War I pilot, owner of the Croix de Guerre, given in battle, who fought in France after leaving his family at thirteen living in Jim Crow South for something bigger and better. He boxed, he performed, he fought valiantly.
The green/yellow, black, and white color scheme was an excellent choice to represent the good, bad, and ugly of Bullard's life when the KKK knocked down their door to get to his father to battles in France. There is an equal mix of story and action/movement for any reader to get behind, not lost in too much fact but allowed Bullard to tell his story like listening over a cup of coffee (or the guy who is literally listening in the elevator). It's tragic but hopeful, ambitious and impressive.
I will absolutely be sharing this out!
The green/yellow, black, and white color scheme was an excellent choice to represent the good, bad, and ugly of Bullard's life when the KKK knocked down their door to get to his father to battles in France. There is an equal mix of story and action/movement for any reader to get behind, not lost in too much fact but allowed Bullard to tell his story like listening over a cup of coffee (or the guy who is literally listening in the elevator). It's tragic but hopeful, ambitious and impressive.
I will absolutely be sharing this out!
November 10, 2023
One of my very favorite things about nonfiction reading is stumbling across amazing stories of incredible people. Eugene Bullard is one of those people. The son of a formerly enslaved man and a Cree woman, Bullard fled his home in Georgia at the age of 11 to avoid the Jim Crow south. In 1912, he snuck aboard a German freighter and made his way to Europe where he became a boxer, traveled with a vaudeville act, and ultimately ended up in Paris. When WWI broke out, he enlisted with the French service, fought in the battle of Verdun and after recovering from injuries, joined the French Flying Service and became the first Black combat pilot. His life story reads like a movie and Now Let Me Fly, a work of graphic non-fiction does an excellent job capturing the adventures of Bullard's life. My only compliant about the work is that it absolutely left me wanting to know more (and it does tease another volume). Fortunately, I have All Blood Runs Red - a biography of Bullard - on my shelf and I'm bumping it up in my stack to read.
January 14, 2024
Graphic "novel" telling of Eugene Bullard's life. Bullard is an older, African American man who runs the elevator in the Empire State Building in what looks like the 1950s. Lots of white men are seen in business suits, rushing around, doing important things, and completely ignoring the African Americans serving them. Mr. Casey is no different. But when the elevator breaks down with only Bullard and Casey inside, Bullard begins to tell his life story. And it is unbelievable, but it's true. Bullard was born and raised in the Jim Crow South but he dreams of living in Paris where he knows blacks and whites live and work side by side. This story shows how he does just that and so much more. We never find out how, after the extraordinary life he lived, he ended up working in an elevator in NYC. I know I could do some research to learn the answer, but I'm hoping there's a sequel in the works!
A must-purchase graphic novel for high school libraries.
A must-purchase graphic novel for high school libraries.
May 2, 2025
A graphic biography about the life of Eugen Bullard, the first African American fighter pilot, although he was flying for France. The setting is true to life when Eugene was back in the United States and working as an elevator operator in Rockefeller Center. One day Dave Garroway, who was the host of the Today Show at the time, saw the military medal that Bullard was wearing. He heard his story, and invited him to come on the show to tell his story to America. In the book, the conversation comes about from an elevator breakdown where they were trapped together for a period of time.
His story was fascinating to me and also made me sad that we have treated people in the manner of which he was treated, even after WWI when he came back as a war hero. It ends with a little description of his time on the Today Show, and leaves a little teaser. I sure would like to learn more about this man!
His story was fascinating to me and also made me sad that we have treated people in the manner of which he was treated, even after WWI when he came back as a war hero. It ends with a little description of his time on the Today Show, and leaves a little teaser. I sure would like to learn more about this man!
September 28, 2025
"Now Let Me Fly: A Portrait of Eugene Bullard" is simply splendid. Wimberly and Revel have created something rare: a graphic memoir that not only tells the story of an extraordinary life but does so with such vitality and emotional depth that it stays with you long after you’ve closed the book.
Eugene Bullard’s journey—from his childhood in racist Georgia, through adventures abroad, to his remarkable place in history as the first African American combat pilot—unfolds with both power and tenderness. The narrative is beautifully structured, and the art captures the intensity of each moment while allowing space for reflection and humanity.
What makes this book truly special is how it balances history, memory, and imagination to give Bullard the voice he was often denied in life. It’s inspiring, moving, and eye-opening—a portrait that not only informs but also deeply emotions the reader.
A wonderful, really wonderful graphic novel memoir. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Eugene Bullard’s journey—from his childhood in racist Georgia, through adventures abroad, to his remarkable place in history as the first African American combat pilot—unfolds with both power and tenderness. The narrative is beautifully structured, and the art captures the intensity of each moment while allowing space for reflection and humanity.
What makes this book truly special is how it balances history, memory, and imagination to give Bullard the voice he was often denied in life. It’s inspiring, moving, and eye-opening—a portrait that not only informs but also deeply emotions the reader.
A wonderful, really wonderful graphic novel memoir. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
January 9, 2024
Wow. You know, it's really a shame that individuals like Eugene don't get more recognition in today's history books. Perhaps there is a mention of him, but this is the first I've ever heard of him. This is an incredible story. I like when he quotes Whitman at the end: "I am large. I contain multitudes." Because that is so very true of more people than we realize. I'm sure, like Mr. Casey, we don't often realize the background of the person ringing our groceries up at the cash register, delivering our mail, or working the elevator. I'm glad Eugene's story didn't get lost in the annals of history - and now I want to know more. Did he ever reconnect with his family? What's the rest of his story in France? Why did he decide to move back to the States (it's certainly a shame he had to leave in the first place for those reasons)? I guess I'll have to go do my own research.
September 8, 2024
That cover is beautiful. I was disappointed when I opened the book and found the art to be black, white and yellow. But I got over it.
The story starts with Eugene Bullard and his large family dealing with violent racism in the south. At 10 years old, he runs away, first heading north and then travelling to Europe. Living in France as a young man, he was drafted when World War I started. First he served in the trenches. Finally he had an opportunity to serve in France's air force.
The art is fantastic; minimal lines and shading perfectly capturing character and action. The characterization is well done. My only real problem is that it takes a long time to get to Bullard flying and we don't spend much time with it. This book could have been twice as long and remained equally as intetesting.
The story starts with Eugene Bullard and his large family dealing with violent racism in the south. At 10 years old, he runs away, first heading north and then travelling to Europe. Living in France as a young man, he was drafted when World War I started. First he served in the trenches. Finally he had an opportunity to serve in France's air force.
The art is fantastic; minimal lines and shading perfectly capturing character and action. The characterization is well done. My only real problem is that it takes a long time to get to Bullard flying and we don't spend much time with it. This book could have been twice as long and remained equally as intetesting.
August 24, 2022
Now Let Me Fly is a graphic novel biography of Eugene Bullard that covers only part of his life. Bullard grew up in Columbus (GA) under the oppression of Jim Crow laws and white oppression. At 13, he ran away and joined the gypsies where he learned to ride horses. He then made his way to England where he survived by boxing and racing. But he found his favorite city in Paris, France. And when war broke out, he joined France's army to defend it. He served with the 170th Moroccan Division at Verdun and other battles. After being wounded, he joined the Lafayette Escadrille and became the first African American fighter pilot! What he did after World War I is another story still waiting to be told.
Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title.
Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title.
February 9, 2023
A pity...! It is unfortunate that the authors and publisher of this book used material and photos of Bullard that had been stolen from the Bullard family to write this book and that they decided not to reach out to the Bullard Estate. The fact that one of the authors, Mr. Wimberly, is an African American man is especially heartbreaking to see. Eugene Bullard was a humble, God-fearing man who wrote his unpublished memoirs, because he wanted to leave a little something behind for his grandchildren. Eugene Bullard died penniless, and no share in royalties has been offered to Bullard’s sole heir, his grandson who is a retired officer of the USAF and of modest means.
March 31, 2024
A graphic novel about the life of Eugene Bullard and the amazing life he lead. Bullard grew up in Georgia, and fled the Jim Crow South to find a place where Blacks were treated as equals. He raced horses, was a boxer, performed in vaudeville, emigrated to England then France, and then joined the Foreign Legion when Germany declared war on France in 1914. He fought in the trenches, and then became the first African-American fighter pilot. Throughout it all, he found he still had to struggle against anti-Black racism, it just looked different in different places.
An excellent graphic novel biography, and the art really lends itself to the energy of the scenes.
An excellent graphic novel biography, and the art really lends itself to the energy of the scenes.
January 27, 2023
I picked this book up from my school library when it came in this week and what a fabulous story! A story of an amazing life full of adventures, heroism, and courageousness, while also directly addressing racism. I didn't know Eugene Bullard's story very well before picking this up. My great grandfather also flew in WWI and so that connection came alive for me. The art work is beautiful and the visual details are just stunning and thought provoking at times. Already thinking about ways to make this an offering in my classroom.
March 13, 2024
This is a beautifully illustrated biography of Eugene Bullard, the first Black pilot in the French Foreign Legion. It was a very interesting story, but like other readers, I was disappointed that his flying years don’t come into play until most of the way into the book. Also it leaves on a strong hint that there’s a second stage to his story and then the book ends. I hope they make a second book, but I really think the author should have either put the whole story in one book or made it more clear that the story is in two parts.
December 16, 2024
I had a very fun time reading this book and I am sad that there was not more pages. Eugene Bullards story starts off very humble. It shows his life in America and how he lived in danger and no longer wanted to. Characters he meets throughout the story help shape his life and his decisions. One reason I give this a four star because this graphic novel needs more pages. I feel as if after he makes it to France the book speed up very quickly and there was some missing information. Overall a amazing book and very satisfying to read.
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