From acclaimed authors Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack Jr. comes a thrilling biography of an unforgettable man told in compelling graphic novel form. Born into slavery in 1854, Nat Love, also known as Deadwood Dick, grew up to become the most famous African-American cowboy in the Old West. A contemporary and acquaintance of Bat Masterson and Billy the Kid, Nat was widely known as an expert roper and driver, a crack shot, and a real Wild West character. Featuring lively full-color artwork by Randy DuBurke, Best Shot in the West is an exhilarating mix of high-interest historical fiction and nonstop adventure.
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"Coated in a patina of genuine history" - Booklist
"A fine introduction to a little-known piece of Americana" - Publishers Weekly
"A perfect use of the graphic format to celebrate the life of a legendary American. History that's fun to read.and important." - Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"Action-packed... Lively illustrations done in a painterly style bring the action to life." - SLJ Teen
"Beautifully illustrated, and will take you back to the time of outlaws and sharpshooters" - Education.com
"A fine introduction to a little-known piece of Americana" - Publishers Weekly
"A perfect use of the graphic format to celebrate the life of a legendary American. History that's fun to read.and important." - Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"Action-packed... Lively illustrations done in a painterly style bring the action to life." - SLJ Teen
"Beautifully illustrated, and will take you back to the time of outlaws and sharpshooters" - Education.com
About the Author
Patricia C. McKissack is the Coretta Scott King and Newbery award-winning author of more than 100 books about the African-American experience. She lives in Missouri.
Fredrick L. McKissack Jr. is the author of numerous books. He lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Randy DuBurke is the illustrator of several books. He lives in Switzerland.
Fredrick L. McKissack Jr. is the author of numerous books. He lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Randy DuBurke is the illustrator of several books. He lives in Switzerland.
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Format:Hardcover
BEST SHOT IN THE WEST: The Adventures of Nat Love is a comic book based on Nat Love's autobiography and framed by letters sent to his publisher. And Love certainly has a story to tell. He grew up in slavery and then became one of the Wild West's most famous cowboys - and the most famous black cowboy - due to his tremendous talents with horses and guns.
I grew up on tales of cowboys and enjoyed reading once more about the hard life those men lived. (There is one particularly memorable scene involving an unfortunate stampede.) Love's life was further complicated by the color of his skin. Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack Jr. don't sugarcoat the truth of history, but they do keep it appropriate for kids as young as elementary.
To me, what ages BEST SHOT IN THE WEST up is the sophistication of the art style. Randy DuBurke's illustrations reminded me of Dave McKean. Humans are often grayscale against full color landscapes. It's great art, but the people are muted, with little emphasis on their expressions. I did like that most of BEST SHOT IN THE WEST's action scenes allowed the art to carry the narrative, making good use of the medium. At the same time, the action wasn't always easy to follow. DuBurke tends to cut to different scenes instead of letting a single one play out over several panels.
BEST SHOT IN THE WEST will appeal to those looking to learn more about African-American (or just plain American) history as well as fans of action-adventure tales. Nat Love's story sometimes seems like fiction rather than fact, which is the appeal of a larger-than-life historical figure.
I grew up on tales of cowboys and enjoyed reading once more about the hard life those men lived. (There is one particularly memorable scene involving an unfortunate stampede.) Love's life was further complicated by the color of his skin. Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack Jr. don't sugarcoat the truth of history, but they do keep it appropriate for kids as young as elementary.
To me, what ages BEST SHOT IN THE WEST up is the sophistication of the art style. Randy DuBurke's illustrations reminded me of Dave McKean. Humans are often grayscale against full color landscapes. It's great art, but the people are muted, with little emphasis on their expressions. I did like that most of BEST SHOT IN THE WEST's action scenes allowed the art to carry the narrative, making good use of the medium. At the same time, the action wasn't always easy to follow. DuBurke tends to cut to different scenes instead of letting a single one play out over several panels.
BEST SHOT IN THE WEST will appeal to those looking to learn more about African-American (or just plain American) history as well as fans of action-adventure tales. Nat Love's story sometimes seems like fiction rather than fact, which is the appeal of a larger-than-life historical figure.
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