I absolutely enjoyed this graphic novel. I was surprised at how large the book is. It was perfect for immersing oneself into the life of Al. I vaguely knew of his life, so I was very excited to get this title in my hands. And I love that Al himself was speaking in first person to tell his perspective of his life and the choices he made. The beautiful artwork pulled me in every time and captivated my interest. This is definitely a good read I would reread and recommend to others.

Grommets wasn't From @glick23 I give you Camp Pock-a-Wocknee Dyno-o-mite Summer '77. I never attended one day of camp, but this sure made me feel like I did. Must be a result of all the times I watched "Meatballs" growing up.

This book was a great use of the graphic novel medium. The pictures and text worked together to demonstrate the grit and gore of the gangster era of America. They also frequently contrasted each other to allow for the perspective of Capone, and contradictory histories to share a story where the full truth will never be fully known. This allows the reader to decide for themselves how they will feel about a character who was powerful, brutal, but who may have had a better side as well. Art Deco illustrations share the glamor of the era but other panels are sketched in a way that shares the seedy side of this same coin. Black Panel also crafts beautiful solid books that are worth the investment in a physical copy.

i wasn't too sure what to expect when this book arrived on my doorstep. First off, totally surprised at the size of the book. I was expecting something smaller than a 8x11 book. However, the size is perfect for the artwork! Might even be cooler if it was printed a little larger to fit Capone's personality but then the book would be a bit more pricey. The story was engaging and grabbed me from the start. Only put it down briefly to use the restroom. That's how much I wanted to finish this book! Anyone ever seen the HBO show Boardwalk Empire? I felt a lot of remnants from that storytelling in this graphic novel as it was just as interesting as that show. The perceptive of Capone telling his own version of events with actual facts being illustration was an unique feature as well and help twists his perception of a guy just trying to get by verses THE TRUTH. Loved it! Could definitely see a teacher using this book in a history class somewhere to help students learn more about the most prominent gangster in history. This comic also hit home more for me as well since I currently reside in Illinois and have lived in Downtown Chicago for a brief time. Certain locations portrayed in the graphic novel flashed before my memory as I was enthralled in the big foot art style of PF Radice. Would definitely recommend this read to any and all who may be interested in seeing Meralli's interpretation of Capone based on his own thoughts and other works. Check it out!

The book is an engrossing read for anyone interested in true crime stories. The writer does a great job of placing you within the inner psyche of Capone, with believable dialog. Mostly told from a first person perspective, the story plays with the idea that Capone is an unreliable narrator of his own story; this is juxtaposed with events that play out differently based on research the writer has gathered. As for the art itself, at first it seems a bit innocent, and light hearted with very rounded figures and stylized designs, but then it really delivers some gore that is very deftly illustrated with interesting panel layouts and gritty textures. The whole book feels like you stepped into some back room in the the prohibition era, filled with smoke and the grimy reality of the time period. The bold black shading that looks like it was made with charcoal really lends itself to this smoky atmospheric world the illustrator has created. I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but I would highly recommend this anyone who is looking for something interesting to read in graphic novel form.

The book utilizes a common device: it is told in the first person, as Alphonso Capone- on his way to Alcatraz prison-, attempts to justify his life to his mother. This allows the reader to make Capone the hero of the story, and sympathize with him, and at the same time judge him as the vicious murderous thug he is portrayed as being. We get to watch Capone invent or improve all the ways a thug can become a crime boss: intimidation, violence, buying crooked politicians, etc. while the voice-over has Capone claiming his innocence and victimization. Violence, in particular, was a major part of Al Capone's life, apparently. As a warning to the reader, the book doesn't stint on showing the pitched battles he was involved in, along with beatings, gangland slayings (including, of course, the Saint Valentine's day massacre), and more. The illustrator Pierre-Francois Radice, uses a Brutalist style to convey these events. It is very effective, but it's not "cartoon violence" so I suggest this is not a book for children. About the artwork: kudos to M. Radice for excellent pictorial story-telling. There are full-page and two-page spreads that are brilliant: a scene-setting view of Brooklyn in 1899 with the Brooklyn Bridge being built in the background; a meeting of Chicago crime bosses, with Capone getting angry at the way the Italian mob is being treated; an overhead view of the squalid Alcatraz prison cell where Capone lived for more than a decade; Capone at his height as the King of Chicago contemplating his city from an Art Deco stuffed penthouse. This is a terrific book. Excellent writing, excellent illustrations. If your collection includes graphic novels, consider including Capone.

The teaser on the back of the book grabbed me right away: "Based on truth, lies, myths, and rumors..." The bold, vintage-style graphics reminded me of children's classics like Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel and the original Curious George books, but darker -- much, much darker! Plenty of blood and even a bit of nudity! My favorite, though, is that the story is told in the voice of Al Capone himself. The setup is that ol' Scarface is telling his mother the truth about his life, and it works so well, especially when the violence that we see contradicts what Capone tells his dear mama. It made me want to rewatch some of the classic gangster films, scroll through old photo archives of Chicago, and learn more about the organizzazione. A fun read for a weekend afternoon!

I gave this to my husband because he's a fan of true crime and has an extensive manga collection. He enjoyed reading it and the hardcover seems to be good quality so is a great addition to his collection.

I loved this book. The art was fantastic. The story felt real. I loved it. If you can, read it and enjoy it!

A fantastic treatment of America's most legendary gangster. Capone narrates his own life here, unreliable narration and all, and it's all treated in such an inventive way. Meanwhile, I could get lost in PF Radice's beautifully drawn cityscapes for hours. The cartoonish nature of the illustrations effectively contrasts with the violence and despair that defined Capone's life. Well worth adding to your collection. I imagine I'll be pulling this one down off the shelf a lot in the future.

Fun ride of a teenager's excitement, anxiety, comradery, and hormones when at summer camp. Re-exploring the popular song's of the 70's while navigating the awkwardness of teenage love interests and summer friendships.

“The Amazing Camel Toe” by Claire Duplan is an uproarious graphic novel from Black Panel Press. It tells the story of Constance, an artist and graphic designer who, by day, works on ad campaigns for a cosmetics company, and by night writes web comics for the ultimate feminist superheroine, The Amazing Camel Toe. With intelligence and cleverness, both Constance and Camel Toe tackle the everyday nuisances and, worse, the dangers of living in a patriarchal society. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud, but also sharing her frustrations as Constance dates, navigates the demands of her art and her job, and uses her creativity to break from the pressures and negativity of the modern world. It seems appropriate that as “Barbie,” with its bright colors and big musical numbers, brings some of these issues to the attention of movie-going audiences, this intimate black-and-white graphic novel tackles them, too, with an acerbic wit and laugh out loud charm.

I loved this book, the main character is relatable and fleshed out. Her supportive cast of friends are believable and make you wish you had friends like them as well. As a fellow artist I could really relate to the main characters feelings about hating her day job but needing it in order for her to be able to survive and work on her passion projects. And I don’t think there is a single creative out there who hasn’t had a conversation with their character. As a man I have never had to struggle against the patriarchy in that same way that Constance has but the character that Claire Dunean feels like many of my friends and as such her frustrations and hope feel just as real. Loved the art style and just about everything. Could not recommend more.

This book was a joy to read from beginning to end. It's full of intelligent humor and biting criticisms of society but manages to find some levity. The art style is definitely not for everyone but I enjoy its "sketchy" nature. The meta-narrative is approachable and well done. The book can be "vulgar" at times but I honestly consider it to be just realistic dialogue. I wasn't a massive fan of the last few pages but overall the book is great. I'd recommend it to just about anyone!

"The Amazing Camel Toe" by Claire Duplan Disclaimer: I received a free printed book from Black Panel Press. Let's be honest, I had no idea what a camel toe was when I received the book. I read it, and it was probably a little awkward for some, including myself. But at the same time, I realized I have a wife and two daughters. It really helped me understand more clearly what it is like from a woman's perspective. The art is interesting—maybe a bit rough—but I still enjoyed it because she is funny as hell. Unfortunately, I had to ask my wife what "camel toe" meant, and she explained it by pointing to hers. I said, "OH!" I don't want to go into too much detail, but yes, everybody needs to read it, both men and women. Recommend!

I like reading stories that provide me with a perspective other than my own, and this book definitely does that. A cartoonist who deals with her real-life concerns and troubles through her art is a great concept. I think a lot of people understand not wanting to or not being able to directly deal with things in their real lives. How many of us have had the revelation minutes or hours or even days sometimes after an altercation where we say "What I should have told them was..." Constance gets to do that immediately through her comic. Pushing her retributory self-insert character to the extreme, Camel Toe gets into physical altercations and says what's on her mind without a filter. I do believe there is a fine line between teaching and preaching lessons in storytelling, and while this book almost crosses it, I'm glad to say I never once felt like I was being talked down to as a reader, or for that matter as a man. I honestly think this book should be required reading for all teenagers. All that said you'd think I'd give it five stars, but the art is the only thing that brings it down for me. It just is not the kind of art that I like in my graphic novels. It's a lot looser and less defined. And that may well be intentional, as it evokes more of a political satire cartoon, but it just isn't my style. Your mileage may vary on that end.

An illustrated graphic novel based in Berlin. The story follows Rahim, a young kid aspiring to rise in the ranks of his local street gang. It unfolds like a Greek tragedy. The theme is that bad intentions lead to bad actions that affect more than just the person choosing the actions. Very simply drawn, and and almost cartoonist, it contrasts the very serious, adult and dark story it tells. Not very plot heavy, but straight forward in telling its cautionary tale.

All Talk is a graphic novel with a funky illustration style set in the neighborhoods of Berlin. It focuses on the dynamics between its gang affiliated errand-boy protagonist, Rahim, his nemesis, Ego, and the leader of their gang, Wood. Rahim wants to be a great gangster like the legendary Immortal Al, whose dying words were (allegedly) "You can shoot me, but you can't shut me up." Similarly, Rahim spends much of his time plotting with his friends to get revenge on Ego, who has Wood's favor, talking up all kinds of ways to set him up. Undeterred by how Immortal Al's career as a gangster ended in violent death, and motivated in part by the rumors about how his late father had a poor reputation, Rahim is sensitive about things said about his father, his friends, and himself. Rahim's insecurities and hot-headed attitude lead him down a path of self-destruction. Eventually Rahim is given the chance to make a splash and impress Wood, but his recklessness comes at a higher price than he originally planned for. This novel revolves around themes of gang life, narcissism, self-determination, loss of loved ones and revenge. I think this book is an important lesson for kids to stay away from gangs and avoid glamorizing a life of crime. This book has some mature content such as scenes of violence, drug use, cursing, and sex, so I would rate it appropriate for readers aged 16 and up.

Really fantastic read. Great twists and turns. A little choppy at times, but other than that very good. It’s nice to see a healthy dose of reality mixed into fiction.

As a middle-aged white guy, this is NOT the kind of graphic novel I normally buy and read. When offered a copy for free and asked to review it if I wished, however, I jumped at the chance. I hoped the book would give me a glimpse into, and a better understanding of, a world that is far from my own. ALL TALK did just that, offering me an education about why some young people do things that seem completely illogical to me and my peers. This is not a "fun" read, but it's not all dark and gloomy either. From it, both my compassion and understanding toward urban street youth have deepened. A couple of images and turns of phrase are the only clues that it has been translated from French. Otherwise, the story could easily be set in Detroit, Memphis, St. Louis, Birmingham, or the like. Worth the read. Worth sharing with a young person enamored by the idea of "gangsta life".

I'm obsessed with the art style. The uniquely stylized characters, the beautiful color palette--it's all great. The story is pretty good too. Great comic overall.

I'm obsessed with the art style. The uniquely stylized characters, the beautiful color palette--it's all great. The story is pretty good too. Great comic overall.

This story isn’t for everyone and I say this as someone who likes 99% of the things I read. Urban Crime Drama is a genre not many can properly pull off but I think Sztybor sticks the landing quite nicely. The characters are well developed and the pacing is great. The only thing that can knock a few points off would be the art, it’s not for everyone, it’s subjective. I enjoyed it but I know it will turn some people away. 8.5/10

I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel. Camp Pock-a-Wocknee and the Dynomite Summer of '77 is a charming coming of age story that captures the formative experience of summer camp. Despite that I am not Jewish, did not grow up in the late 70s, and never attended summer camp; I could not help but feel enthralled and identified with the main character Glick. I have to admit that it made me feel very nostalgic. The author makes a great job of giving you enough details to explain the cultural references. As the warning in the cover suggests, this is not a graphic novel for (little) kids; the graphic novel goes into some racy details that you would expect from teenagers away from their parents.

I really enjoyed reading this coming of age graphic novel. So much nostalgia and brought back memories of my own summer experiences. Definitely worth picking up!

I'm not Jewish nor did I ever attend a day of summer/sleepaway camp but that didn't keep me from having a blast reading this book! In fact, by the end it made me wish for these things. The author captured a time and place with utter hilarity, nostalgia and heartwarmth. Yeah it gets a little raunchy here and there but nothing that's so far out of pocket that it makes it disgusting. Whether you want to face it or not, that is teenage boys and this is actually mild. At first, it felt like a play-by-play description book of what summer camp is, but after a few pages I realized it was just setting the scene for my mind to truly be at Camp with the kids. Then I was engrossed and couldn't put the book down. Belly laughs all the way back to the bus.

This graphic novel captures the excitement and pressure of summer camp. It's a coming of age story that'll make you nostalgic for the good ole days. But it doesn't shy away from the negatives either. In this book growing is hard, and summertime isn't always a breeze.

This graphic novel was a lot of fun. While I have never been to summer camp, I feel like the author captured the summer camp vibe perfectly (as well as the grossness of young boys). The book was full of humor, heart, and nostalgia 🙂 Worth a read!

This graphic novel is a lot of fun. I could see it being adapted into a PG-13 movie or a limited series on a streaming platform like Amazon Prime. It's fun, quirky, and really paints a picture of camp life and all the interesting characters that come with it. There's a bit of nostalgia here, too, since it takes place before iphones and internet when kids actually got together for activities and in-person friendships. Give this a try. You'll be entertained.

Very funny and nostalgic. Reminded me of my summer camp experiences. Now I'm looking forward to a little afternoon delight!!

I grew up in the 80s, and I can not express exactly how much nostalgia I found in this graphic novel, from the first day of camp to the canteen, to the legendary camp mystery. Everything I read brought me back to some of the best times of my life. Every new page was like a story from my own life. The authors captured almost perfectly what that timeless summer camp experience in the 70s/80s was like. They even manage to tell a good story in the process. It's worth picking up and reading.

Pretty good.

This book took a very sensitive approach to the serious issue of immigration and family separation. The book was well illustrated and this made the subject not difficult for a young person - my son is 12 - to understand and digest. There are some dark moments and images that are probably too serious for younger children to view. This graphic novel is an excellent way to share the experiences of immigrants sacrificing all to get to a better, safer life.

That story was really good, well written and great animation. It leaves one craving for more.

Augusto Mora's "Illegal Cargo" is a great story about the many unknown dangers faced by immigrants in the America's. The story follows one man's quest to find his daughter after she had gone missing. The story is short, but well written, and fulfilling. The coloring is amazing and the characters are all uniquely drawn. I recommend it to those who are interested in similar stories about immigration.

I purchased this as a gift and was really impressed with the quality of the artwork in this graphic novel. I couldn’t help but read through some of the story and immediately can recognize that this is a story that will resonate with many in so many different contexts, and most certainly should be told and heard today. A unique graphic novel that brings to light a quality story that has thought-provoking meaning and purpose. I highly recommend this awesomely illustrated and colorful graphic novel that is absolutely unique in every way, telling an intriguing story with underlying purpose and meaning at the core.

Illegal Cargo is a deeply engaging comic tracing the journey a father takes to try and find his daughter in Mexico. Helena had left El Slavador to go to the USA for a better life and is last heard from in Mexico City. Her father, Jose, sets out to find her after a strange encounter. The journey is brutal and the comclusion unexpected. The story is grim, the travellers are preyed upon at every opportunity by thieves and gangstars, they take terrible risks riding on the top of rail cars. Augusta Mora never lets his cast be simply steryotypes or symbols, they have the spark of life and all are fighting to survive. Jose travells a double journey, both physically and one of redemption for a barely lived life. The art is sharp and engaging, the cast are given worn out faces and bruised bodies, everyone has been battered by their life. The body language is elequont as they struggle to survive. The walk on parts and the supporting cast are given the opportunity to register with the reader and stand for themselves. The colours are a joy, they catch and manage the emotional tone for the story with subtle grace, they weight and depth to the art. The lettering is functional, it is easy to read without adding anything in particular to the comic. Illegal Cargo is clearly the product of a distinctive creative imagination ad strong story telling craft, it packs a punch that makes it a pleasure to read.

I backed this book on kickstarter and it definitely didn't disappoint!

This book is a very good read with a interesting story. The art moves the story well.

This Book is a compelling story about immigration and mystery from an author that I took a gamble on. I had never heard of "Illegal Cargo" nor had I heard of Augusto Mora. I am glad to call myself a fan of both now. Great story, wonderful art and supporting a new creator. Thank you for this book and I cant wait for Vol 2!

All of Augusto Mora's comics are fun and easily digestible. This is a high-quality graphic novel, great quality paper. The story is quick to read and great to inform yourself about Central American immigration and the struggle people face. Highly recommended

Very well made, from the actual binding to the story and art. Great story that puts you in someone else's shoes.

Illegal Cargo is one of the best graphic novels I've read in a long time. The story invoked an emotional response from me at numerous junctures. The art itself was visually stunning. I often found myself stopping to take a photo; I would happily hang any page of this graphic novel on my wall as its own art! The subject matter is something often in the news but rarely depicted with the individuality or empathy that this graphic novel treats it with. The ending blew me away. I thought I knew what was coming from the beginning of the story but I was totally surprised and moved. This graphic novel is perfect whether you're looking for beautiful illustrations, a compelling plot line, or more information about the perilous experience of immigration.

Illegal Cargo is a 96-page graphic novel about José Sendero, an elderly Salvadoran on a perilous journey to find his missing daughter. Inspired by the true stories of everyday immigrants on their way to the United States from places like South America and Mexico and the tireless work of humanitarian organizations like Las Patronas who support them. Written in English by Augusto Mora, a Mexican artist and author of various web comics, graphic novels, and short stories These types of stories are always tough to read because they’re so heavily based on real trauma and events. The story is a heartbreaking one, and you really empathize with José and the other immigrants as they face numerous life or death perils on their journey. The point of this comic is to raise awareness about social issues just as much as it is to tell a good story. On both accounts it succeeds In addition to following José I also enjoyed the storyline featuring the benign spirit (La Siguanaba: part woman, part horse skeleton) pushing him onward, as well as the one with the Mexican gangsters. The art is also gorgeous, the varying characters and terrain rendered in vivid detail and beautiful colors. The story moves quickly and ends on a somber, somewhat dissatisfying note (though I understand the point of it), but all in all I really enjoyed this book!

The Author and artist do an incredible story of telling a story everyone MUST read. It's a beautiful tale, that shines a light on something many don't want to think about, but it's done in an accessible way. Loved reading. Highly recommend!

This was a good read. Loved the story and I really dig the graphics

I love the artwork but it kind made me sad all these people missing

Great story of a dad searching for his daughter that is missing from trying to immigrate to the US. Well kept story and beautiful drawings. Great read.

You've gotta read this book. If you know a little about the current migrant crisis at the southern border, this book will help make it personal. The art is also superb. Fun character designs and beautifully rendered environments help set the scene. Take a look!

It’s my pleasure to review the Graphic Novel “Illegal Cargo” by writer and artist Augusto Mora published by Black Panel Press. The artwork inside is beautiful. It is reminiscent of Jeff Lemire of Sweet tooth and Essex County fame as well as Rob Guillory of Chew fame. It’s atmospheric and interpretive of life. The colors change to indicate feelings and situations the story demands. It’s a beautiful book indeed. Some may find the artwork simple, but that serves the story it is telling and is a style choice that I absolutely enjoyed. The story involves a father who receives bad news about his daughter that has migrated north with the intent of arriving in the United States. Apparently she hasn’t been heard from by friends of hers that were monitoring her progress by cell phone tracking. A supernatural experience by her father, Jose, convinces him to follow her perilous journey to find her. No spoilers, but the realism of the characters and situations encountered on the journey pull you into the story. I was not able to put the book down. I consumed it in one sitting. No spoilers here but I appreciate the author giving a more truthful and ambiguous account of the daughter and the father. There is adult language; parents may want to review first. I wholeheartedly give Illegal Cargo my highest recommendation. The story is engrossing, the art is beautiful and the book is a good size to fully immerse the reader in the artwork. It is printed with high quality cover stock and paper stock pages. I think this book is well worth your money and time if for no other reason than to safely put you in the shoes of someone having to travel in a most dangerous way that most North Americans will never experience. Review by James Jeffrey