Big Black: Stand at Attica Review

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: This graphic memoir details the events leading up to the 1971 Attica Prison Riots from the perspective of survivor Frank “Big Black Smith”.

My Thoughts: In this still troubled day and age, much of the social issues addressed in this book continue to remain relevant as the mass incarceration and recidivism rates exponentially rise among racial minority groups due to institutional prejudices and barriers within our criminal justice system. I must confess, shamefully, as a black American and native New Yorker, I wasn’t very aware of the historical significance of the riot hitherto when I picked this book. It gives the limelight to a minorities groups that are all too often either overlooked or vilified especially in the comics industry, African-Americans and prisoners, the latter of which are generally regarded as one of the lowest of repulsive degenerates who aren’t deserving of even the tiniest sliver of sympathy or humanity. This is as shown here with unrelenting honesty as the prisoners at the cell are denied basic survival commodities and decency including lack of medical attention, unpaid labor, one shower a week and soap a month. One of the most impressive parts of the graphic novel is its use of a limited color palette to an astounding dramatical effect. Most of the coloring consists of black and white hues but when other colors are employed, they help enhance the intensity of many of the sequences. Some noteworthy examples of this include how red emphasizes the violence of a scene (i.e. the penitentiary riots and torture scenes) and blue is saved for the more morose bits. Meanwhile, the silhouettes evocatively conveyed the grit and shabbiness surrounding the settings and serve as a stylistic time saver. The most heartbreaking part, however, was how Big Black wasn’t recompensated for his brutal treatment until 26 years after the rebellion for $4 million. Yet this settled doesn’t expunge or make up for what he went through as he continued suffering from PTSD for the rest of his life. 

 

Final Thoughts: Big Bad: Stand at Attica touches upon a significant chapter in history often ignored and does so with painstaking excellence. I would recommend it as required reading to anyone who cares about U.S. or black history and social justice.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with my first advance ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.