When it comes to reading graphic novels for the first time, it seems pretty overwhelming because it is almost as if it is a foreign medium. It’s like never seeing a movie and saying, “Where should I start?”

This is a difficult question because there are multiple genres of comics just like movies or shows. As a newbie, I’m still sort of in this “Where should I start?” mode, so I usually look for a short series that you could finish in a few volumes. So when I saw Incognegro at Vault of Midnight, a local comic book store, it seemed perfect for a quick read. The copy of Incognegro that I purchased was an anniversary edition with new and improved art, which made it even better.

In the early 20th Century, when lynchings were commonplace throughout the American South, not many, but some courageous reporters would risk their lives to expose these atrocities. The story follows Zane Pinchback, a reporter for the New York-based New Holland Herald, who is an African-American. Due to his light skin color, he can pass among the white folks. This man calls himself the “incognegro” in order to conceal his identity.

Incognegro is a tense graphic novel of mystery that is very down to earth and does a good job creating suspense and interest. If you are sensitive to violence, this may not be the best comic for you, because right off the bat, you are introduced to the “incognegro” at a lynching to make the event known.

I really enjoy how it puts you into the action immediately without feeling rushed. Incognegro is well-paced and easy to finish in one sitting. I was glad Incognegro informing us of the lesser known people who risked their lives for greater things. Personally, I wanted to see what Zane was specifically thinking about his situation, but you can see through his actions and reactions that he is frightened, while horrified. I would not say that that this graphic novel shows you all of the struggles of that era, but rather through a single person’s life to make a solid story.