Not being a musical person, I didn't hear about Django before. But the story was nicely illustrated and I enjoyed the additional clippings and history in the back.

Thank you # NetGalley and Papercutz for giving me the opportunity to read this.

Somehow they managed to make every character unlikable in this story, with king douche-canoe being Django himself. It tells us a sprinkling of history but doesn't explain why that history is important until after the story is told in an afterword. Pretty disappointing, even as someone who can read French and is well schooled in music.

Django Reinhardt's story is so intriguing and movie-worthy that it's understandable if you assumed it was fiction. Through beautiful illustrations, Rubio chronicles the life of the famous jazz guitarist with empathy and passion.

Having studied French, and so a bit of French culture, I was aware of a gypsy French man named Django Reinhardt and his prodigious musical talent, particularly as a guitarist. However, I didn't know much else about him, including that he'd burned half his body.

This short graphic novel by Salva Rubio narrates the early life on Django and his ascension in the world of music. As they admit in the end pages, where they go through their creative process and the legend of Django, many of the details about his life before becoming famous are either vague or seem more legend than fact, but the story is compelling and very readable. The art is quite apt, with darker tones that reflect the slums North of Paris where the Reinhardts grew up.

My one gripe with the comic is the old-fashioned and predictable treatment of some of the story's characters that the author chose. To be more precise, the few women that get any lines in this story are either the doting mother whose only job is to coddle her grown son, the lustful hot girl that got knocked up by God-knows-who and only wants to trap good old Django because he's going to be rich, and the patient girl who will put up with Django chasing after every woman because her only role is as the silent homemaker who'll have dinner warm when her husband chooses to come back from losing their wage on the ponies. The whore vs the saint; a cliché as old as time.

The author will, in the end, admit that it was likely Django who set his house on fire by falling asleep while smoking, but he chooses to tell the story as his wife having almost killed him by having fake flowers (her job, what was keeping them afloat since Django spent all of his money betting) at home and blaming her for doing so (where else would she keep them?!) He also comments that, since Django himself didn't mind wasting all of his money on his gambling addiction, it is okay that he did so (and therefore neglected his family not just emotionally, but also economically and therefore forced his extremely pregnant partner to work all day and night to feed them.) Why the double standard?

It's 2022. There's no excuse for this lazy and sexist storytelling.

I expected more of Django's life story rather than the story of how his hand came to be deformed by fire - just by itself is a flimsy premise for a book and I wanted much more than this comic was able to give. We find out he was a Roma kid, a virtuoso talent, and then his hand got deformed, he overcame it, and took up the guitar. Fine. Art's not bad either but nothing special, much like the slight story we got. Very underwhelming read.

Thank you to Papercutz and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Django, Hand on Fire by Salva Rubio is a historical graphic novel about a legendary prodigy musician. The story revolves around Django Reinhardt, who grew up in the early 20th century in a nomadic traveler family Belgium. He became known for his guitar-playing. But what will happen when a fire mutilates his left hand? Will he be able to resume playing at the same skill level or at all? According to the description, this book "features the passion and determination of the man who has always considered himself the greatest guitarist in the world."

Overall, Django, Hand on Fire is a wonderful historical graphic novel that would make the perfect addition to any curriculum involving historical figures. I have to admit that I had never heard of Django before reading this graphic novel. However, that did not hamper my enjoyment of this graphic novel in any way. In fact, I was happy to learn about a historical figure that I hadn't before. As a teacher, I can see many ways that this graphic novel could be taught in the classroom. For example, one could have book circles with each group focusing on a different historical figure. I did take 0ff 1 star, because there are some adult themes that would make this book more appropriate for high school than middle school. If you're intrigued by the description, or if you're a fan of historical graphic novels, I recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in February!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Papercutz for an advanced copy of the musical biographical graphic novel.

One of the saddest phrases in any language has to be what if. What if this, What if that. In the case of this graphic novel, what if a mother didn't save and scrimp to buy her son a musical instrument to keep him out of trouble. What if Django Reinhardt had never been heard. All the early jazz guitarists who would never have been influenced by Django's playing like Charlie Byrd and Wes Montgomery. All those songs lost, his contribution to music never known. Thankfully we don't have to wonder what if, as shown in this biographical graphic novel about the influential jazz guitarist as he grows into the showman he would become. Django: Hand on Fire written by Salva Rubio and illustrated by Efa show the young artist from birth, to his discovery of his ability, from pain to overcoming adversity.

Born in 1910 to a Roma family of entertainers, Django and his brother grew up poor in a locale known as "The Zone" outside of Paris. A troublesome boy, Django was moving fast from mischief to delinquency when the gift of an American banjo changed his life and musical history. Django was a prodigy, playing things he would hear only once, and mastering difficult techniques and songs with repeated practice. Soon he was playing with the best musicians in the most high paying bands, which Django would gamble away quite regularly. One night a fire nearly killed his wife and unborn child, and maimed his left arm, possibly destroying his burgeoning musical career.

The book is beautiful both story and art. Yes the graphic novel ends, at the start of his musical fame, but the key parts of his story are told, which is the most influential. The story moves well, never bogs down and shares a lot of information and history in the books small size. The end note essays are quite informative, with more about Django, his influence on music and a sketch of his life until his early passing. The art is very distinctive and really accompanys the story well, with a lot of detail.

A very good introduction to the master musician. The story might be a little much for young readers, but older and more mature ones, especially if they enjoy music and guitar will have no problem and will enjoy. A fascinating life full of many what if moments.

3.5 stars

A heart warming comic that tells the origin story of the

[What I liked:]

•I’d never of Django Reinhardt before this comic, & he truly has a wonderful life story. The comic tells it with engaging emotions (& also funny bits, like the pet bear & monkey!).

•I appreciate how the creators of this comic wove the popular music of the times into the story. It really added to the feel of setting.

•The afterword contains a short biography of Django with a lot of interesting info & anecdotes, & some wonderful photos. It’s clearly a well researched book.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•I was hoping to see more of Django’s success & career after his recovery. Where the comic ends is a good stopping place thematically, yet it feels like his story was just getting started.

CW: child abuse, substance abuse, bullying, racism, infidelity, ableism

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]