Andy Warhol: A Graphic Biography (BioGraphics) by Michele Botton and illustrated by Marco Maraggi is told from the point of view of Warhol himself. As we go through several sections of his life, the unfolding of his life is chronological and compact. While it is obviously a pro-Warhol graphic novel and honors his work and influences on the people around him, and the historical times (and not just in art and/or pop art, but in music, photography and film as well), the question of “hack or genius” can be seen. My personal feelings is he is both. But I have always thought, “What’s the point? He isn’t doing anything amazing. However, this book made me see more of him, see what his influences were, and more. I have appreciated the work, and his influence, but I didn’t come away a Huge Fan, just someone who came to understand him a little less superficially. Like or hate him, this was a man who knew how to sell his work and therefore, himself, while saying he was making art. The 1950s to 1980s and pop art come to life in a style of illustrations that are reminiscent of his style, with its own flair
The feeling I got from this story is that Warhol was always in advertising. He would use the people, places and objects around him and sell it to the public. This does not mean his work was not Art (though I’m not sure if urinating on a canvas to make it look like oxidized copper is art), but it does mean it was something that was different, but familiar as well. This movement that would become pop art was a brand. And that brand was Andy Warhol. The illustrations are reminiscent of Warhol’s own style (particularly images that mimic the Campbell Soup cans). They are like the cover for the most part, though some panels can be less full. They bring to life the historical events and some of the personal “behind the scenes” as they imagine them. Famous names and faces pop up, some events that might not be known by the casual fan (Warhol was shot three times, lived,, but was scared and this led to the comment he felt broken) are given and more.
Of course, I was left asking, “Is he a reliable narrator? Or is the author projecting what they thought was happening and/or what Warhol would have thought?” This could lead to an interesting thought exercise for other readers as well. It’s best for older teens and adults as there is some mature content, but for the most part, things are handled well. Botton is the author also of the Audrey Hepburn title I read awhile back. While I enjoyed both, I am leaning towards the Hepburn title as the favorite of their three books (two of which I have read, and Quentin Tarantino is next).
