Louis Armstrong

    (Bries, 2001)
™ and © Bries

This is one graphic novel that few would have ever envisioned: a Belgian publisher adapting a 50-year-old autobiography of bluesman Louis Armstrong. This is a volume that will be welcomed by die-hard Armstrong fans, as it brings his autobiography back into the spotlight, enhanced by illustrations.

For the rest of us, though, it’s a different story. There just really isn’t a lot here that would hold the interest of the casual comics fan. Philip Paquet is a good artist, but, after 40 pages of sepia-tone watercolors, readers will find themselves looking for a TV test pattern to ensure they haven’t gone color-blind. And, although the fault may lie more with the source material than Paquet’s adaptation, the first-person narrative is dry and unremarkable.

Those who do find interest will also find their enjoyment cut short, as the story seems to end for no other reason than the book ran out of pages. There’s plenty more of Armstrong’s story to be told, but there’s no clear indication as to whether it will be. Fans of the legendary musician may or may not enjoy this, but everyone else should probably give this one the big blow-off.

— Jim Johnson
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