feature: ‘strange fruit’ graphic novel celebrates a different narrative from black history

How about a comic book/graphic novel about uncelebrated narratives from Black History? Check out Strange Fruit by Joel Gill with a foreword by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Fulcrum Publishing tells us: “This groundbreaking graphic novel is a collection of stories from African American history that exemplifies success in the face of great adversity. Joel Gill offers historical and cultural commentary on nine uncelebrated heroes whose stories are not often found in history books. From the adventures of lawman Bass Reeves, to Henry “Box” Brown’s daring escape from slavery, and the tragedy on Malaga Island, these beautifully illustrated stories offer a refreshing look at remarkable African Americans.
Strange Fruit is especially important as we say goodbye to 2013, the year that saw the end of the Voting Rights Act, the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther’s “I Have a Dream” speech and Florida’s Trayvon Martin case. The nation as a whole is grappling with race and history, which is evident even in popular culture. Jay-Z and Kanye West both released albums in 2013 that sampled the haunting song “Strange Fruit” made famous by Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. We believe comics can be an invaluable resource for teaching about our shared history. As this discussion continues in 2014, we hope Strange Fruit will be an educational but enjoyable tool for readers of all ages.”
The book is available here.