The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans

I really enjoy the 20th Century Murder Series, even though I have only read three. They have a way of condensing the materials surrounding an unsolved murder and making them accessible to the general public. Yet, the illustrations and many times the stories are very similar. It is for this reason that I read them sparingly. When I saw that they had published a piece on the ax murderer of New Orleans, I just had to get my hands on it.

The graphic novel begins with a brief history of New Orleans which helps to give context to the murders. Additionally, it works as an abbreviated history lesson that is both informative and interesting. In 1918, Joseph and Catherine Maggio were murdered in their bed. The murders were similar to those committed seven years prior when an Italian couple who owned a grocery store were murdered in their beds. In both of the crimes, the houses were broken into by dislodging a panel of wood in the front door and the victims were killed by axes. When similar crimes continue to erupt in New Orleans, the entire city is put on alert and the question is asked “who is the axe murderer and when will he stop?”

I felt that the illustrations in this installment were actually better than those in other graphic novels in the series. The graphics seemed more intricate and interesting. Unlike most graphic novels, the illustrations aren’t exactly needed because the text tells the entire story. Yet, the text is quite dry and almost seems as if it is taken directly from court transcripts. Therefore, the graphics make the novel much more enticing to readers. I would certainly recommend this graphic novel and might even tell readers to start with this one when reading the series.

-DLP