The Black Panther Party
A Graphic Novel History
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
WINNER OF THE EISNER AWARD • A bold and fascinating graphic novel history of the revolutionary Black Panther Party.
Founded in Oakland, California, in 1966, the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was a radical political organization that stood in defiant contrast to the mainstream civil rights movement. This gripping illustrated history explores the impact and significance of the Panthers, from their social, educational, and healthcare programs that were designed to uplift the Black community to their battle against police brutality through citizen patrols and frequent clashes with the FBI, which targeted the Party from its outset.
Using dramatic comic book-style retellings and illustrated profiles of key figures, The Black Panther Party captures the major events, people, and actions of the party, as well as their cultural and political influence and enduring legacy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This nuanced, accessible history of the Black Panther Party doesn't shy away from the complexity of the political movement, nor does it fall into the trap of painting the diverse group as uniformly heroes or villains. "The Black Panthers became mythical and it can be difficult to separate myth from reality," explains Walker (The Life of Frederick Douglass). He opens the narrative long before the Party's official founding in Oakland in 1966, showing why Black civil rights activists eventually saw problems with nonviolent reform in the face of violence from white supremacist mobs and state officials alike. Bobby Seale's famous speech from the steps of the California State Capitol building in 1967 resonate today: "Black people have begged, prayed, petitioned, and demonstrated... to get the racist power structure of America to right wrongs." Other key Panther figures, such as Huey P. Newtown and Eldridge Cleaver are provided concise profiles. Artist Kwame Anderson balances text and images skillfully, and even the wordiest sections feel spacious, while he lends cinematic visual pacing to the many heated interactions between activists and police. "While the year is different, the times are the same," Walker concludes in an afterword written in May 2020. "Writing this book broke my heart." This concise yet in-depth guide offers a timely resource for activists, history buffs, and students alike.
