Who Killed Kurt Cobain?: The Story of Boddah

author: Nicolas Otéro
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.33
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2016/11/13
date added: 2016/11/13
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Who Killed Kurt Cobain?: The Story of Boddah' with story adaptation and art by Nicolas Otero is a gut-punch of a graphic novel. It's a translation of a French novel called 'Le Roman de Boddah' by Heloise Guay de Bellissen published in 2014.

First off, the title is misleading. This is not an exposé or theory about who killed Kurt Cobain. The subtitle of the book, which is found before the graphic novel begins is a better one.

When Kurt Cobain died, he left a note addressed to Boddah, which theories point to as his invisible childhood friend. This graphic novel is narrated by Boddah. The book shows the rapid rise in fame and slow decline in drugs of Kurt Cobain. Boddah is the invisible third witness to events, and, at times, the only person Kurt can talk to. Even Boddah gets turned away by Kurt at times, so we get to view other people in his life. The story is mainly about Kurt and Courtney. Their electric love affair. Their addictions to drugs. Their baby and marriage, and Kurt's obsession with ending it all either intentionally or unintentionally.

It's a visceral journey and probably not a lot of new ground gets covered for true fans, but I was riveted. I was also stunned by Nicolas Otero's art throughout the book. The book is mostly black and white, but color is occasionally used for impact and emphasis. This book was beautiful in it's ugliness, like the Alex Cox film 'Sid and Nancy' which I was continually reminded of. The final panels of this comic were sad and moving. I'm glad I got to read it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from IDW Publishing, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2eVsPMH