This graphic novel narrates the life of the artist Basquiat,from his childhood to his tragical death, through the eyes of his father,his partner and Basquiat himself.

I particularly appreciated the choice of the colours’ palette chosen by Paolo Parisi:yellow,red,green and blue.These striking colours were used by Basquiat himself in his works and represent power,transgression and elegance.
The use of recreated notebook pages gives an edgy twist to the graphic novel and they make it even more interesting.

I truly recommend this book not only for art lovers but for everyone wanting to know more about Basquiat.Despite his premature death,he has been influencing culture and art for the past decades.This graphic novel is a great way to know more about the person and his rise and fall though fame,success and art through amazing amazing illustrations and precise descriptions.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I was provided this graphic novel (as an advanced reader copy) by NetGalley. All views expressed in this review are my own.

Anyone interested in art or art history needs to get their hands on this graphic novel as soon as it hits shelves on May 13, 2019. I first learned about Jean-Michel Basquiat in my AP Art History class in Senior year of high school, and I was struck by his creativity and his influence on the contemporary art world. Despite passing away decades ago, his art still impacts the art world today.

This graphic novel was a fantastic way to tell Basquiat's life story. Through multiple perspectives (from his father, to his partner, to Basquiat himself) and interviews focusing on Basquiat's life and works, I was truly able to understand the circumstances of his life while still remaining oblivious of the true meaning of his work. I think that the true meaning is open to interpretation, as Basquiat himself says "I don't know how to describe my work in any other way. It's like asking Miles Davis, 'How does your trumpet sound?'"

The art style and color choices of this graphic novel were instrumental at making it as impactful as it is. Rather than try to recreate Basquiat's unique and impossible-to-replicate style, Paolo Parisi uses bright colors and minimal shading, with reds and greens and blues bleeding together to form the story of Basquiat's life. The framing of the novel—beginning with Jean-Michel's childhood and then returning to his pivotal accident at the end of the novel—creates a balance. Readers are sure to know Basquiat's fate from before the first page of this graphic novel, but this repetition as well as the repetition of common elements throughout (such as the constant claim of Basquiat being taken advantage of by others) takes the cacophony of Basquiat's life and art and makes it accessible to the everyday person, who could never truly understand what it must have been like to be Basquiat. This graphic novel highlights the genius as well as the struggle of the art world and making it big.

Even if you are not already a fan of Basquiat, this graphic novel is sure to resonate with you about not only his life but human existence as a whole. Basquiat wanted to make something of himself (perhaps fulfilling the American Dream that so many reach for) and make something of himself he did. Despite his death at the young age of 27, derailing a possibly lengthy career in art, Basquiat is still as influential in death as he was in life. I cannot stress this enough: do yourself a favor and pick this graphic novel up.

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Paolo Parisi did an amazing job.
This graphic novel tells briefly the life of the artist Basquiat throughout illustrations with bright and clashing colours. And I think that what makes the difference are indeed these amazing illustrations which evokes Basquiat's art. It was all very interesting.
This is a must-read for art lovers.

A delightful rendering of the genius of Jean-Michel Basquiat's tragically short life. 

The art here is top notch, I was particularly impressed by the color palette, which was perhaps the most evocative of its subject that I have ever encountered in a graphic novel. 

While the wording and text structure was banal, I didn't consider it problematic, and the author did well articulating both the beauty and tragedy of Basquiat's life.

A must read for both art lovers in the traditional sense and those who consider the graphic novel an art form.

I’ll start by saying that I don’t know a lot about art, but I know that I love it and that I admire people who can commit their vision to a canvas (of any kind). 
Rendered in bright, clashing color, this graphic novel is a brief biography of Basquiat. Very little time is spent on his childhood; we see his introduction to Gray’s Anatomy (the book), which influenced his art.
Speaking of which, we don’t actually see a lot of his art. Instead, we get a kind of glimpse into different “periods” of his work: where he was exhibiting, who was mentoring or supporting him, how his work was received. There’s not really a dive into what influenced his art during those time frames, and for a novice, it would be helpful to see how his art changed and developed over time. I don’t think that’s the author’s intent though.
The art world of the early 80s in NYC seemed chaotic and out of control, and Basquiat was right in the middle of it. Like many others in the scene, he died far too young. 
As a straightforward account of Basquiat’s  life, this is a successful work. It made me want to learn more.