Alright so long thread on my thoughts of CHASIN' THE BIRD.

First off, let me say I absolutely loved everything about this book. The writing being the biggest. Dave really brought his A Game here and the whole thing is poetic and profound while still being grounded...

I have a really special connection to jazz. Play alto sax and my earliest memories of music was my grandpa playing smooth Latin jazz riding around with him on Sundays.

Charlie Parker's contribution to music cannot be overstated. And this book hit that point as many times as it..

Possibly could. And it was so cool to see how much he influenced and inspired grests like Dizzy and Coltrane.

This comics art make no sense. It is insanely good, and full of life on every damn page.

Chisholm and Markowski did an amazing job of transitioning throughout the story. Definitely flowed like an improvised jazz song

On a deeper level, and I told Dave this, but I greatly appreciate the care here with Black culture and our people.

And how Parker's struggles with addiction didnt define him but he couldn't escape.

There were some poignant moments on race and culture here

I respect all of my ancestors who lived in America in such a tumultuous time. But I especially respect Black folks who survived the 1940s.
Because America was fighting a war against Nazis while hanging my people for sport...

That takes a toll on your soul. To see all this propaganda about being free and fighting the good fight.

While you can't even walk into certain neighborhoods. Parker no doubt felt that pain and it was amplified I think because of his genius

And he heard people call him a genius. All the time. And in this book, Chisholm draws a detached or annoyed look on Parker's face whenever that topic comes up.

He's just another brotha trying to navigate shit and not die. And that pain was written so well in this comic

Love this bit when he meets Coltrane. They talk about Parker's obsession with European classical music.

The comic industry is full of straight white men who pretend to care about Black people. But can't draw hair right, can't name a hip hop artist not from the 90s and so on

Hardly any care about the culture. Jazz is a part of that culture.

This book blends respect for...

Parker, jazz, and Black culture fucking effortlessly. Its the biggest highlight for me.

Another note. Artists, especially Black ones, never get the recognition they deserve for being more than just "talented"

You will come away from this book understanding that Charlie Parker was one of the greatest music, not just jazz, minds of all time. I appreciated that too

It went past the myth and the quirks of a "genius" and showed you that this dude really knew what the fuck he was talking about

Alright I think I'm done. Rest easy, Bird. Thank you for inspiring myself and others. Almost 100 years later and you're still relevant lol.

Buy this comic, people. Even if you don't like jazz. Support dope creators making shit with their soul and love for the medium.