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January Book Pick - Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness
Jonny Cash: I See a Darkness was created by Reinhard Kleist and translated by Michael Waaler. It was released by Abrams ComicArts in October 2009.
Kleist covers an impressive amount of Cash’s life in his newly translated graphic novel, Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness ($17.95, 224 pages). Whether depicting the death of Cash’s brother Jack, his addiction to drugs or divorce from his first wife, Kleist is at his best when capturing the turmoil and chaos that so often characterized the singer’s life. Kleist knows how to work with the limitations of the medium, and though text is minimal, the artist’s angular lines and powerful images speak volumes. Vivid and intense illustrations of Cash’s drug induced hallucinations on stage and eventual battle with withdrawal are intertwined with simple, stark images of Folsom prison set against a backdrop of lyrics. Such scenes leave a lasting impression on readers, while making Cash’s pivotal 1968 performance at Folsom in the story’s focal point: a performance that was both a testament to Cash’s unpretentious charm and catalyst for his later comeback.
Eyecatching and artful, Kleist’s ambitious new graphic novel, Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness, is sure to appeal to fans of graphic novels and music alike.
Reinhard Kleist is a graphic novel artist and author. His previous works include Havanna, Lovecraft and Amerika. He currently lives in Berlin.
Michael Waaler is a British translator specializing in translating graphic novels. He currently resides in Hamburg.
“Kleist has created a compelling work of visual art that captures Cash’s iconic status while also making him very human. It’s a tribute to a man, his life and his music.” Chicago Sun-Times
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