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Sentences:: The Life of M.F. Grimm

Written by Percy Carey, Illustrated by Ronald Wimberly

Book Review by Dan Tres OMi

A very close friend has been urging me to pick up this graphic novel for the longest. Vertigo had a preview of it on line and I was hooked. The disadvantage of being a bibliophile is that one is constantly picking up recommended titles and other books of interest. Thus, quite a few get lost in the shuffle. One could recommend a book one day then one would forget it only to rediscover the title several months later.

Sentences is the autobiography of one M.F. Grimm, MC, producer, and business man. The first time I encountered M.F. Grimm was on Kool G. Rap's 4,5,6. His brief cameo's showed mad potential. I was shocked to learn in an old Source Magazine write up that he was in a wheel chair. Dude was nice. He remained a staple in the underground circuit and did several collaborations for M.F. Doom and other notable artists.

The format of the graphic novel is ideal. The writing comes off as if Percy Carey, whom we know as M.F. Grimm, is telling it to us on the corner with the older gods. He moves from self analysis to NYC street corner vernacular with ease. It really adds to the artwork which is cleverly arranged by Ronald Wimberly. His artwork does wonders to the NYC backdrop as the story goes from laid back to chaotic in a New York minute.

I never would have imagined that I would read a graphic novel that would mention heads such as Supa Natural, Large Professor, Kool G. Rap, and Dr. Dre. It really adds to the nostalgia especially since many of the events take place during the early 90's when the underground really had it on locked. Like most autobios, there is always room for embellishment. In a few instances, Grimm describes his several forays into the criminal underground. Some may find that his description a criminal enterprise he helped to develop to be more on the fictional side.

If there will be any more hip hop artists' life put to the graphic novel, Sentences will definitely set the standard. Grimm's writing fits the comic book panel format. Vertigo comics, a DC imprint, took a good chance at publishing Grimm's story. Then again, Vertigo publishes several graphic novels that break the standard. Sentences is no exception.

Labels: hip hop, M.F. Grimm, Percy Carey, Ronald Wimberly, Sentences, Vertigo Comics

posted by Brother OMi @ 11:23 PM