'White Collar' by Giacomo Patri is a wordless story told in 128 linocuts. They tell the story of a worker who struggles and what happens to him. In a way, this book represents and early independent graphic novel.

The book starts with a couple introductions. The first is for this edition and is written by the artist's son and stepson. This one gives biographical and historical context to the work that follows. The second introduction is by painter Rockwell Kent and was written in 1940. The afterword is by illustrator Peter Kuper. The work is in between.

The illustrations are made by affixing linoleum to wood, then cutting the design you want printed out. Then you ink and print. The original linoleum blocks have long deteriorated, but these prints are reproductions and are quite good. The story is linear, but sometimes hard to follow. Without dialogue or descriptive plates, I was left to guess what was happening. The work is in support of the progressive labor movement. It's of interest for the art and the time it was printed in.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.