MESSENGER

A rousing graphic biography tracing the evolution of a storied boxing champion and humanitarian.

How did Cassius Clay become “The Greatest”? Born in Louisville, Kentucky, the future heavyweight champion stumbled into the sport after a thief stole his bicycle. Clay reported the crime to police officer Joe Martin, who trained boxers at a local gym. Martin advised Clay to “learn to fight before you start fighting.” Later, 18-year-old Clay earned a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. Becoming an Olympic medalist, however, didn’t protect him from the widespread terror of white supremacy. A chance meeting with Malcolm X in Miami opened Clay’s eyes to the importance of Black pride and claiming his own identity. Later, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Denouncing the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector made headlines; the U.S. Supreme Court found him guilty of draft evasion but later overturned his conviction. Parkinson’s disease may have slowed Ali down, but he remained steadfast in his beliefs. Bernardin’s prose effectively captures Ali’s larger-than-life aura, seamlessly incorporating the boxer’s poetic catchphrases and electrifying speeches. Salas’ emotive grayscale illustrations complement the narrative, evoking the unspoken fears, worries, and doubts hiding beneath Ali’s bravado. This work does a stellar job of presenting Ali’s life in an accessible way without minimizing the impact of his legacy and the expansiveness of his life.

A moving ode to a mighty icon whose cultural contributions are as powerful as his victories in the ring.