Reviews of graphic novels and comic book collections every Tuesday and Thursday.


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Daddy Cool by Donald Goines adapted by Don Glut & Alfredo Alcala
I wish I knew more about the publishing history of Daddy Cool (2003, Holloway House Publishing, Amazon listing), but as it is, I've only been able to piece together parts of the story. Understanding this history can shed a bit of light on the book.

Donald Goines' Daddy Cool was published in 1974 just prior to his murder, execution-style in his own home. An African-American author, Goines was published by Holloway House who distributed his books to non-traditional book sellers in inner cities. He, and fellow Holloway House writer Iceberg Slim (Pimp), were immensely popular for their depiction of urban life and the black experience. Goines has been rediscovered recently as rap stars have noticed his work and incorporated it into their music.

In 1984, a graphic adaptation of Daddy Cool was published by Melrose Square Publishing. Marketed as a "Visual Novel," Daddy Cool was adapted by writer Don Glut and artist Alfredo Alcala. As usual, it seems that the comic industry was on the back end of a trend by just getting around to blaxploitation in the mid-80s. Although I could be wrong since the graphic novel of Daddy Cool seems ahead of its time in its use of language and violence and a presentation of a story about the streets when most publishers were still writing about superheroes. It is closer to underground comix than mainstream comics.

The version referred to here is a reprint of the 1984 graphic adaptation. From what I can tell, the 1984 version was magazine size and 64 pages long. The 2003 reprint cuts up the original pages to fit into a mass-market paperback. Panels are distorted (both larger and smaller) and the flow of reading the pages is broken up by some odd page layouts to make the panels fit. A few panels are repeated and there may be some missing.

Despite that, the book remains a good read, if a bit simplistic and stereotypical. Larry Jackson is Daddy Cool, a killer for hire who prefers to do his jobs using hand-made knives. Despite his icy demeanor, the one thing that warms his heart is his daughter. Unfortunately, she is being seduced by a no-good young man named Ronald. Although Jackson warns her about his intentions, she doesn't listen and Ronald eventually starts pimping her out. As expected, Daddy Cool doesn't take this well and a series of events, mostly violent, occurs.

Alcala's art is beautiful although the reproduction doesn't always do it justice. The book itself seems a bit dated in its language and style, but the story holds up despite this. Plus, the frank depiction of sex and language is to be respected, especially in a book of its time. It is a book that could be redone today and be a best-seller with the right approach.

Daddy Cool 2.5 stars (out of 5)
posted by Sean McGurr at 8:28 AM