Capote in Kansas

    (Oni, 2005)
™ and © 2005 Andre Parks

Writer and Kansan Ande Parks has constructed a superb fictional account of Truman Capote’s experiences in Kansas while researching for his magnum opus In Cold Blood.

Readers need not be familiar with In Cold Blood nor Capote’s life to appreciate and enjoy this graphic novel. Parks’ fantastic deconstruction of the suffering permeating small-town Holcomb, Kan., and Capote’s ethical dilemmas results in a well-woven and (to use a word I almost never utter except sarcastically) touching story. For readers with even the slightest literary bent, this may well inspire further reading on Capote—the author provides recommendations—and will encourage further reading of works by Parks and illustrator Chris Samnee.

The “Older Audiences” rating on the cover reflects adult themes and occasional harsh language, not graphic material, so it’s appropriate for older teens. The presentation is simple, straightforward, and easy to follow, and there’s a solid balance between dialogue-plentiful and non-dialogue segments. The 120 pages go by smoothly and all too fast (in a good way). Combining this facet with the book’s par excellence quality, and readers shouldn’t be surprised to find themselves wanting to give this multiple readings.

— Ray Sidman
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1

July, 2005
Cover Price: $11.95
1 copy available for $7.98 		Ande ParksChris Samnee