Customer Reviews

Me and the Devil Blues 2: The Unreal Life of Robert Johnson

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Akira Hiramoto has taken the life of an American Blues legend and created a compelling story, imbued with a mysterious aura of its' own, and gifted it through Del Rey to readers across America. "Me and the Devil Blues" follows the life of Robert Johnson, RJ to his friends, and Clyde Burrows as they encounter a town with a secret.

Jailed for a crime he did not commit, RJ is jailed and being held for hanging on Sunday. His cell mate, who has seen the devil hand, insists that RJ has 10 fingers. Coupled with a set up by the Sheriff, and a prominent towns person, Stanley O McDonald, his life seems forfeit. Clyde Burrows, wanting to help, befriends Mr McDonald, and finds a dark secret that has a chilling answer. A young boy, Toby, may lose his life to this strange obsession, if Clyde aids RJ, and if the secret gets out, a town may divide. To make things more difficult, McDonald and the towns folk are determined to hang both men once the Hell Hounds are done with them.

Exactly what is the story of Robert Johnson? Did he really sell his soul to the devil to learn the blues? Or is that a piece of fiction? Akira has expanded on that theme and made even the Devil part of his `life', and likely death too.

As a piece of manga fiction, I have been entranced by the dramatic storytelling and artwork. There are times this seems to be more of a story board rather than a novel though. It almost muddles up the book, but at the same time, the cinematic approach demands your attention.
All you need to enjoy this properly is a little BB King, some John Lee Hooker, some classic Bing, and a soundtrack to experience a life gone to the hounds...

www.delreymanga.com
Tim Lasiuta