Book Review: Big Black: Stand at Attica by Frank “Big Black” Smith, Jared Reinmuth, Ameziane
Big Black: Stand at Attica by Frank “Big Black” Smith, Jared Reinmuth, Ameziane
BOOM! Studios / Archaia
Description
A graphic novel memoir from Frank “Big Black” Smith, a prisoner at Attica State Prison in 1971, whose rebellion against the injustices of the prison system remains one of the bloodiest civil rights confrontations in American history.
FOUR DAYS IN 1971 CHANGED THE COURSE OF AMERICAN HISTORY. THIS IS THE TRUE STORY FROM THE MAN AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL.
In the summer of 1971, the New York’s Attica State Prison is a symbol of everything broken in America – abused prisoners, rampant racism and a blind eye turned towards the injustices perpetrated on the powerless. But when the guards at Attica overreact to a minor incident, the prisoners decide they’ve had enough – and revolt against their jailers, taking them hostage and making demands for humane conditions. Frank “Big Black” Smith finds himself at the center of this uprising, struggling to protect hostages, prisoners and negotiators alike. But when the only avenue for justice seems to be negotiating with ambitious Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Big Black soon discovers there may be no hope in finding a peaceful resolution for the prisoners in Attica.
Written by Jared Reinmuth and Frank “Big Black” Smith himself, adapted and illustrated by Ameziane, Big Black: Stand At Attica is an unflinching look at the price of standing up to injustice in what remains one of the bloodiest civil rights confrontations in American history.
Review
Notes:
Digital review copy provided by NetGalley. My experience was marred by not being able to view the double-page spreads properly.
Attica. Being British it is not an event I knew a lot about. In fact, my knowledge of it comes from films like Dog Day Afternoon and references in popular culture. The state-sanctioned murder of prisoners and the subsequent cover-up are an affront to the rule of law. Some of the panels drawn by Ameziane are sickening. The depictions of torture, in particular, were difficult to read, the desperation and terror felt by the prisoners as the guards take their revenge are brought to life skillfully.
Frank “Big Black” Smith is the focus of the book. He is a magnetic presence, and you get a feel for the charisma he must have had in real life. One does get a sense that he is blowing his own trumpet and the book, in my opinion, glosses over any flaws he has.
It would be impossible to review this book without having BLM in the back of one’s mind. The racism, both systemic and outright that caused the kidnappings and riots at Attica all those years ago are still present today.
The dialogue stands out. It is not often in a comic that you get a real sense of a character’s personality and goals just from a few lines, but that happens here. Even the minor characters seem well rounded and 3rd dimensional.
My experience was marred by Adobe Digital Edition. I wasn’t able to use two-page view mode, and that made sections of the book that relied on two-page spread challenging to read. I enjoyed Big Black: Stand at Attica, but it did make me wonder about the inherent limitations of the graphic novel format. I just felt like there so much more to know. With as many characters as there are some of the talking head sections felt crowded. Maybe with a story like this that has so many strands any art form would have struggled to convey what happened. Frank’s story touches on political corruption, a flawed justice system, institutional brutality, and, the media’s complicity when the state abuses its power. Heavy themes.
As an introduction to Frank, Attica, and, the events that happened in 1971, Big Black: Stand at Attica serves as a compelling introduction. Ameziane artwork is impressive, and I am eager to get my hands on a hard copy so I can appreciate it fully.
