From Ablaze is Hendrix: Electric Requiem, charting the life and times of music royalty and the legend that is Jimi Hendrix. It’s out now!
Hendrix: Electric Requiem explores the life, career, and music of a true rock n’ roll god--Grammy-award winning musician Jimi Hendrix---who Rolling Stone ranked #1 on their Greatest Guitarists of All Time!
A compelling trip into the mind and world of Jimi Hendrix. Electric Requiem is an exhilarating ride, from Jimi’s difficult beginnings in the South, plagued by racism, through his global stardom and triumph at Woodstock, and the excessive lifestyle of a rockstar. A rockstar who, even with all his experiences, never forgot where he came from. Skillfully illustrated by artist Gianluca Maconi, this gripping tale of music, personal demons and thirst for glory is a must-have for any Jimi Hendrix fan. Includes bonus material on Hendrix’s life.
by Mattia Colombara and Gianluca Maconi
Wow, that was certainly the Jimi Hendrix experience!
I have a passing interest in the music of Jimi Hendrix, All Along The Watch Tower, Purple Haze, and Hey Joe have always been songs I have happily listened to. Voodoo Child has always resonated, probably due to the dastardly Hollywood Hogan and the NWO.
Nevertheless, although I enjoyed the music, I didn’t know too much about the man himself, and this was a perfect opportunity to delve in. I have a copy of The Fifth Beatle from Dark Horse Comics, which has some of the characters crossing over into this story.
Hendrix: Electric Requiem charts the humble beginnings of Jimi and his family, giving us a lot of information about those around him. I really enjoyed the way this worked, and the way that people float in and out of his life.
This is cleverly done, it isn’t a warts-and-all story, Jimi was certainly a talented individual, but he did have his faults too. His drive and methods drove people away, but there were other forces too. This graphic novel, I think, shows this in a very well laid out way.
As Jimi works his way up, you can see the seeds for his downfall forming, so as it happens it isn’t a complete surprise, but works out well in the story.
This story is sex, drugs and rock and roll – and all of these aspects are shown perfectly. The pages and panels where Jimi is getting lost in the music, or making others lose themselves are excellently done and show the soul of this music.
Soul is an ongoing theme throughout this well-told story, with some excellent writing and timing, alongside some perfect art for the story, with some bold colouring to go with it.
If you are a fan or someone who would like to know more, this is for you.
