This graphic biography looks at the civil rights movement through the life of Malcolm X. His struggle contains many themes relevant to young people. As an adolescent, Malcolm deals with the loss of his own parents. He feels like an outsider, even in his own foster family. In the big cities of Boston and New York he finds independence, but he also falls in with a bad crowd, experiments with drugs, and eventually lands in jail, where he is redeemed through reading and writing. Even as an adult Malcolm struggles with his identity. When he decides to leave the Nation of Islam, he comes into conflict with his mentor (and father figure), which will eventually lead to his death.
The images draw you into the story, investing it with emotion. In this way, graphic novels can be good for inexperienced readers; the pictures allow them to follow the story. They can also be enticing for reluctant readers who are skeptical of books.
This story serves as a good historical guide. For many readers, it can offer an introduction to the civil rights movement, and for others more versed in the subject, it can allow them to view it with a fresh perspective. The book shows respect for teens with its honesty, for example, by not glossing over Malcolm's indiscretions as a young man. Also, in pointing out possible inconsistencies in Malcolm's autobiography, it teaches young adults to think critically about the world around them.
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While I agree with most of the above, I do have to say that I don't think this "graphic biography" does a lot of what comics do best. Many of the graphics-- the assassination, for example-- are quite arresting. However, others are lackluster, and sometimes there's a real emotional separation between the words and images. Sequential art segments are also the exception, rather than the rule. Most of the time the pictures illustrate the captions, and do not tell their own story.
Just as a matter of personal preference, I also think comics deal better with dialogue than documentary narrative. That having been said, the narrative is strong, and held my attention. The thick narrative made this book a lot less accessible than a lot of comics, though.
Still, I did admire its honesty regarding Malcolm X's life, and the contradictions within the man. It's not a book of hero worship.
One question: was anyone else bothered by the weird speculative portions where several possible versions of events are given. I really wanted references for those, right there and then.
I have been wanting to read the Autobiography of Malcolm X for some time, but after reading this graphic novel, I feel like I know the story of this remarkable man well enough that I don't even need to read the Alex Haley book (though I'm sure I'd be missing out if I never took a look at it). I thought the narrative of the story was well-written and very concise as well, but, as Matt mentioned, it did not spare any uncomfortable or touchy details which other young adult novelists may have wanted to leave out. The early years of Malcolm X read almost like an action adventure novel, though everything that occurs in this story is factual. Because of the more or less consistent excitement level, even readers who may not be so interested in history or biography will find themselves enjoying the story and wanting to know what happens next. It also does a great job of putting X's life in context, with the rise of the civil rights movement and MLK JR/ The Jim Crow era both getting significant mention. I only had one issue with this graphic novel, and that is with some of the pictures. I thought that it was difficult to tell the race of many of the characters depicted, and in a story where matters of race are absolutely key, this becomes a somewhat concerning problem, though certainly not one that makes the book unworthy of consideration. Young adults will enjoy this story, but I believe it is appropriate and engaging for all readers ages 12 and up.
In the past, I've worked with an excerpt of Alex Haley's biography with students and I think there are portions of this book that could be used to compliment Haley's work. Some of it is a little graphic for my taste, but I thought it did an excellent job of highlighting many portions of Malcolm X's life I was not previously aware of.
I actually loved the artwork. I also would have appreciated more clarity on the races of different characters (we generally had to rely on things like hairstyles to figure it out--and deciphering the hairstyles of the 1960s might not be the forte of many teen readers), but the actual style was simultaneously grim and appealing--a little Sin Cityish.
I appreciate the idea of Malcolm X's bio as a graphic novel in general. I know my middle and high school curricula definitely skimped on his life (preferring to focus on more 'positive' models like MLK, when we learned African American history at all). If most schools are like this, then teens are going to have to do independent research to learn about Malcolm X. This is a format that a YA reader is much more likely to pick up as extracurricular reading, rather than a fat and wordy biography.
I think it's fair to say that Dr. King is a more positive figure, in most ways. However, the negative aspects of Malcolm X's life, and his early struggles, make him a much more accessible figure than King. King is basically a secular saint in American society. Saints are good and admired, but very few people can see themselves being one.
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