By d. emerson eddy — The United States lost a civil rights leader and all around political hero in Congressman John Lewis on Friday. He was one of the “Big Six” civil rights leaders who helped change the landscape of America. By all accounts, he was a good man, a kind man, beloved by his colleagues and constituents, who fought tirelessly for equality, equity, and to ensure that every citizen is afforded their human, political, and constitutional rights under U.S. law. All with a humility and determination that is only ever exhibited by the best of us. If anyone can be said to have been righteous, it was John Robert Lewis. To celebrate his life, understand his sacrifices, and gain more knowledge of history, there's his three part autobiography, March, from John Lewis, Andrew Ayden, and Nate Powell.

March: Book One begins with a glimpse of the titular march that Lewis and others took as they attempted to cross the Edmund Petrus Bridge on what came to be known as Bloody Sunday, 7 March 1965. The event is presented without context, almost like a dream or a nightmare, and sets an interesting tone. It's like a specter hanging over the events of the remainder of the story.

Lewis, Ayden, and Powell give us a framing story set on Barack Obama's presidential inauguration, offering up an opportunity to detail different events throughout Lewis' life. It's an interesting look at a humble man going from growing up on a farm, showing empathy and love raising chickens, to a young man fighting for a right to education and inclusion at retail businesses. It gives us an important insight into some of the foundational events of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, and gives a glimpse of other important figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., James Lawson, Diane Nash, and Rosa Parks.

All of it beautifully rendered by Nate Powell, capturing the likenesses of the real people and locations very well. He has a style that approaches realism, common across many biographical and slice-of-life comics, similar to my mind as Farel Dalrymple and Asaf Hanuka. What really elevates this for me is Powell's use of washes throughout the story. His linework and shadows are wonderful, but the depth and texture to the art is enhanced incredibly by the washes. I'm also impressed by the pacing overall.

Throughout this first part of the trilogy, we're introduced to various concepts of combating injustice and affronts to freedom and equality, like the theory of non-violence in the performance of civil disobedience. Along with raising questions of what's been done to promote reparation for injustices and the net effect of equality across all citizens of the United States, and by extension abroad, there's also a fascinating implication of complacency that's brought up in regards to individuals who become enshrined as part of a corrupt system.

March: Book One is essential reading. Lewis, Ayden, and Powell not only present a beautiful, compelling piece of Lewis' life story, but also deliver an important document of the evolution of the Civil Rights Movement across the 20th century. It details parts of what was necessary in order to fight for equal rights and reminds us of what we still need to do in order to uphold those rights.

March: Book One

March: Book One
Writers: John Lewis & Andrew Ayden
Artist: Nate Powell
Publisher: IDW / Top Shelf
Release Date: August 13, 2013
The first graphic novel from a sitting member of Congress, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and American icon. John Lewis rose from humble beginnings to become a national leader of the civil rights movement. This is his story, from an Alabama farm to the March on Washington and beyond, co-written by Andrew Aydin and brought to astonishing life by Nate Powell in a graphic novel trilogy. With a back cover blurb by President Bill Clinton!
Price: $7.99 on Comixology

Check out more classic comics of the week from d. emerson eddy!

d. emerson eddy is a student and writer of things. He fell in love with comics during Moore, Bissette, & Totleben's run on Swamp Thing and it has been a torrid affair ever since. His madness typically manifests itself on Twitter @93418.