New graphic novel on Gil Scott-Heron to be released this year

Gil Scott-Heron

In Search of Gil Scott-Heron will be released in July this year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

A new graphic novel about Gil Scott-Heron is being published in English for the first time. The publication – written by documentarian Thomas Maucéri and illustrated by Sébastian Piquet – delves into the pioneering singer, poet and writer’s work and life via the premise of Maucéri attempting to track down Scott-Heron for an interview. In the process of seeking out said interview – which never quite comes to fruition across the novel – Maucéri traces the political and cultural legacy that Scott-Heron, a.k.a. the “Godfather of rap”, created. The novel also looks at key events throughout the artist’s life, examining the ups and downs of his personal journey and creative career.

In Search of Gil Scott-Heron was originally released in French last May. The English language version – with accompanying artwork by Piquet – will be released on 26 July via Titan Comics to allign with the official celebrations of hip-hop’s 50th birthday. The graphic novel will also feature a bonus essay celebrating Scott-Heron’s career and enduring influence on music today.

 

Scott-Heron’s last album I’m New Here featured in our top 100 albums of the decade – a release that marked his first output in 16 years and which we called “an exultant return” and “a fitting final testament to a brilliant talent.” In 2020, Chicago-based drummer and producer Makaya McCraven released a posthumous reimagining of the album, entitled We’re New Again.

Listen back to a Gil Scott-Heron specialist mix focused particularly on I’m New Here and curated by Barry Adamson – of The Bad Seeds and Magazine renown – below.

Read: I’m New Here reinvented Gil Scott-Heron for the 21st century.