Customer Reviews

The March: Crossing Bridges in America

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Chicago-based trio Unshaven Comics turns in a moving, nuanced look at at 2006 demonstration against stricter immigration laws in The March: Crossing Bridges in America. The book is a character study in four fictional but representative Chicagoland immigrant families and their experiences of the successful stand against a tightening US policy. This is The March's greatest asset: the story's emphasis on perspectivism as the best vehicle to get at the truth of a matter. One cannot focus only on the words, though, and I would be doing a disservice to the creators if I didn't mention that the panel layout and composition make it clear that the guys in Unshaven Comics know what makes the medium of sequential art work.

After reading Eric's review, I am reminded that I know absolutely nothing about art. But that's ok - that wasn't necessary in order for me to enjoy this book. "The March" showcases an historic event in Chicago's rich immigrant history. Whatever your views on immigration policy, this is an inspiring story of four families trying to achieve the American dream. They're not trying to steal anyone's job; they're not looking for hand-outs. They are hard-working people doing their best to make a better life in the grand melting pot that is America. Highly recommended.

I picked up "The March" at Wizard World Chicago, and I'm thankful that I did. The guys at Unshaven Comics put together a book that is intelligent with a heart that is far larger than the book's page count. They utilize the expressive nature of the medium to convey a tale that makes the reader truly feel for the characters.

"The March" covers the events of the Immigration Reform March that took place in Chicago on May 1, 2006. The events are told through the eyes of just a few of the attendees, all of different cultures and heritage, as they make their way to the event and participate in it. Each story is unique, but more importantly American, and that is where the book excels. With the harsh rhetoric that is often heard from opinionists and pundits it is easy to forget, or worst of all never really know, just who immigration laws and restrictions effect. "The March" makes the experience human and realistic and reminds you that America was founded upon basic principles that apply to all of mankind. Fairness and equality are universal concepts, and each page drives those themes home.

Full of thought and heart "The March: Crossing Bridges in America" is definitely a good read and more importantly an important read especially for a pivotal election year.

If you're interested in Chicago history, this is a great example of how a graphic novel can showcase an event. By using a combination of drawing and photography, this graphic novel really gets to the heart of what happened on the day of a huge immigration march in Chicago. It really gives a personal feeling to something that I think many people don't necessarily know much about. Great job, guys!

This is a terrific debut from the talented guys at Unshaven Comics -- it paints a nuanced, compelling picture of the Immigration Reform March in Chicago, and the multi-strand narrative helps keep the epic-scale issues addressed -- family, loyalty, national identity -- accessible and engaging. Proof positive that the graphic novel is a fabulous medium for documentary narratives, if not the ideal one.

This is a terrific debut from the talented guys at Unshaven Comics -- it paints a nuanced, compelling picture of the Immigration Reform March in Chicago, and the multi-strand narrative helps keep the epic-scale issues addressed -- family, loyalty, national identity -- accessible and engaging. Proof positive that the graphic novel is a fabulous medium for documentary narratives, if not the ideal one.