My Little Pocketbooks: Review: Tales of the Talented Tenth

Bass Reeves: Tales of the Talented Tenth, Volume 1

Author: Joel Christian Gill
Age Range: 12 - 18 years
Genre: Non Fiction Graphic Novel
Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Paperback: 158 pages
Source: Free from the public library

Book Description

Bass Reeves: Tales of the Talented Tenth tells the story of Bass Reeves, an escaped slave who became one of the most successful lawman of the old west and the rumored inspiration for The Lone Ranger. Volume I chronicles his life from winning shooting matches in early childhood to traveling with his master, living with Native Americans in Indian Territory, and finally becoming a Deputy US Marshal.

The Tales of the Talented Tenth series will feature stories about black history in action.

Joel Christian Gill is the chairman, CEO, president, director of development, majority and minority stock holder, manager, co-manager, regional manager, assistant to the regional manager, receptionist, senior black correspondent, and janitor of Strange Fruit Comics. In his spare time he is the chair of foundations at the New Hampshire Institute of Art and member of The Boston Comics Roundtable. His secret lair is behind a secret panel in the kitchen of his house (sold separately) in New Boston, New Hampshire, where he lives with his wife, four children, talking dog, and two psychic cats.

Review

After reading Strange Fruit, Volume 1: Uncelebrated Narratives from Obscure Black History, I just had to find another graphic novel by this author.
Unlike Strange Fruit, Volume 1: Uncelebrated Narratives from Obscure Black History this book is only about one person. Bass Reeve was one of the first African-American Deputy U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi River, who arrested over 3,000 felons and shot and killed fourteen outlaws all in self-defense.
The story reads just like an old wild west movie. There are good guys (Bass Reeves) and bad guys (everyone else) as well as a side kick. I read a few not so hot reviews about this book and I have to disagree with them. I don't like the use of the N-word and I don't like racism and slavery but when you are telling a real story about someones historical life then the elements of racism are going to be present if that person had to deal with it. Because of slavery, racism African Americans story is a bit richer because we overcame all of that despite the walls that were and are still in front of our American dream.
Joel Gill did a great job of telling Bass Reeves story and he made it clear what the man, Bass Reeves had to go through along with the things he gave up to keep the peace.
Wonderful artwork.
Wonderful story.
Another must read by all!