Overall I enjoyed reading this graphic look at Leonard Cohen's life. It is an entertaining look at the life of the singer/songwriter. Most fans will already be familiar the story but it is still an enjoyable read. The artwork compliments the story. Enjoy

Told from Leonard's perspective as he lies dying, he flashes though his life, through the beginnings, the artistic struggle, the many creative twists and fortunate/unfortunate meetings and the many women in his life. An insight into his life it gave the details in bright and heavy drawn illustrations, which paired perfectly with the highs and lows of his career and life.
My only wish was that it were longer, as there were so many snapshots leaving intrigue and felt could have been explored more, but then for a graphic novel maybe that would have been too long.
On the whole an interesting look into his life and worked great in this medium.

Leonard Cohen died five years ago tonight. How eerily coincidental that I finally accessed the Advance Reading Copy of Leonard Cohen (on a Wire), a graphic novelization of Cohen’s life.

The format somewhat complicated following the events. Yet the highlights of Cohen’s career and personal life unfolded, including his relationships with icons of the music and entertainment industries. A Cohen fan, I could follow the significance of most of the episodes and interactions: his trysts at the Hotel Chelsea; his deep involvement with the enigmatic Marianne; his unexpected, popular comeback late in his career. I learned a few new details: being swindled by a producer, embezzled by a manager, and held hostage at a music session by a crazed Phil Spector. The story also emphasized the poet songwriter’s lengthy abuse of drugs and alcohol.

The transitions between times and places were sometimes missing, or implied. This required the reader to pause in order to determine the settings Likewise, some casual character introductions (Joni Mitchell, John Cage, Tim Buckley) assumed reader familiarity or immediate recognition, which all readers might not have. Lastly, the illustrations at times looked heavy and crude. Especially the females represented had similar looking, and vaguely detailed faces.

I was provided with a digital Advance Reading Copy of this title by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.