This graphic novel absolutely blew me away.

Deeps Cuts is an anthology that guides us through the legacy and evolution of Jazz in the United States. It follows several musicians through the decades, showcasing the effect their art had on not only themselves and those around them, but those that came after and the entire art form as a whole.

The story here is incredible, the art is absolutely stunning, and the colors are so thoroughly entwined with both of them at times that it's truly jaw-dropping. The love and passion for both Jazz and comics as an art form bleeds through every single page.

It's no exaggeration when I say this is one of my favorite graphic novels that I've ever read. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the review copy!

“Deep Cuts” is the story of Jazz told throughout the generations. Each chapter is a different time period with different artists. Each unique in their style and the writing of the story in each chapter matches.

My favorite art was the second chapter. I loved the period of time, style, dress, and how the art reflected it. Love the reference to the Jack Benny “Your money or your life.” reference. Pure gold.

There is some language and drug and alcohol use. So just know that going in.

Great story and how it all weaves together. The ending panel is perfect. And an added bonus is you can go to your favorite streaming site and hear an original song written by Joe Clark, one of the authors of this graphic novel. It is the song that chapter 2 revolves around, “I’m Just Here for the Music”.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Big thanks to Image Comics and NetGalley for the ARC of Deep Cuts!

This anthology is a smooth, soulful tribute to jazz and storytelling — part time capsule, part jam session. Each issue feels like a new song, full of emotion and rhythm, and the first three stories absolutely hit all the right notes. The characters, the art, and the atmosphere all come together like instruments in perfect sync.

One line that really stuck with me was:
“Look around. This moment, everything you see, it’s already gone. The moment has passed. We can’t control that. And that’s okay.”

That quote sums up the tone of Deep Cuts beautifully — nostalgic, bittersweet, and quietly profound. The book captures fleeting moments, just like good jazz does, and leaves you both satisfied and wanting an encore.

A stylish, heartfelt read that proves comics can swing just as hard as music.

I really enjoyed this anthology based around jazz music. It weaves throughout different decades, but each story matches up with another. The story and art are decent throughout. I was especially impressed by the first and third parts.

The best part is that it’s not really necessary to like jazz music. It IS necessary, though, to enjoy random moments in Black history.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Deep Cuts is a collection of six short stories, all about Jazz. They all seem to have different art-styles, but still form somewhat of an unity. They aren’t all of the same level, but I enjoyed them none-the-less.

All six stories were strong, both in art-work and narrative. The storylines flowed pretty well together. Though, I can’t help but think I would have liked Deep Cuts better if the art work was a little more consistent. The variety is nice, but it just pulls me out of the story a little bit if I need to get adjusted to a new art style six times in a row. I think the last story had my least favourite art style, it felt a little wonky.

Even though these are short stories, the characters do not feel one-dimensional. Each one has some depth in them, for as far as that is possible in a few pages. They feel like people, instead of comic book characters. Not all six stories are equally strong with this, but they all have their own charm.

My favourites were the 1st one and the 3rd. They just had so much soul, and the art-style was easier on the eyes than the other four. Doesn’t mean the other four weren’t good, but they were just a little less good. My least favourite one was the 4th. I just didn’t feel it, sadly enough. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t amazing either. The story-telling was pretty good over all six comics, there isn’t one that is truly bad. It was a enjoyable read for sure. I feel like I know more about jazz now than I did before reading Deep Cuts.

One thing I really loved about all six comics, was how they came together in the last one. It might not be my favourite art-style wise, but I loved how it wrapped up all of the story lines!

Definitely a comic worth reading! It is a pretty quick read, you can do it in a single evening if you set your mind to it. And if you don’t have as much time, you can go for one story a night. It’s the perfect relaxation comic for just before bedtime!

My thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for an advance copy of this graphic novel that uses the history of an music genre to highlight the lives, loves, ups and downs of various musicians, performers, and aficionados all with a color and soundtrack that is uniquely jazz.

For a Bronx Irish Catholic my father had a distinctly bohemian streak. Not beatnik, though he did rock facial hair way before it was acceptable, my father just had a lot of interests. Books outside the mainstream, movies that were banned by the Catholic church. A love of comics that continued well into adulthood. And jazz. I can remember some jazz playing in my youth, but most of our music was AM radio staples. I came to jazz after college, and began to listen to the albums my father still had, but one's he had not listened to in years and years. We never really discussed what drew Dad to jazz, nor what drew jazz to me. I liked the music, the way it felt in my ears, and my brain, not so much vocalists as the music, hard bop bebop, electic, acoustic and well just Miles Davis. As a comic book reader I have read a few graphic novels that use jazz as their subject matter be it fiction, nonfiction, or just out there speculative gonzo stories. None have really captured what makes jazz, well jazz. Until this title. Deep Cuts is written by Kyle Higgins, with art from a panoply of artists Joe Clark, Danilo Beyruth, Helena Masellis, Diego Greco, Ramon Pérez, Juni Ba, Toby Cypress and tells the story of this unique American art form, through the lives of those who play, sing, write, listen and are effected and affected by the music that is jazz.

The book is told in six chapter, each from different time periods and telling a story linked by a song, a player, and how that music makes people free. In 1917 a young man finally meets the person whose music means so much to him, but finds that sometimes are heroes are awful people. Ten years later a woman trying to make her way on Broadway runs into problems when the play she is working on is not so hot, but that all could be changed if she can just find the right song. It is 1940 and a promising bass player is trying to give up music and take care of his family, something that is getting harder and harder to do, as music keeps pulling at him, while his daughter wonders how one can give up a dream. Three other stories follow, all sharing bits with each others, of songs sung,the legacy of music, and how hard being a creative person can be.

I have a read a few graphic novels about jazz, mostly biographical or historical. This one gets not only the historical right, but does not lose sight of the people who play music. Art comes from a life that is being lived, or that dreams of something better for all of humanity. Which comes across on these pages. Kyle Higgins has long been a writer of graphic novels that I have enjoyed. Higgins is a very good writer, who can create characters readers want to like, and want to root for. Or in some cases boo at. The story is good and can be enjoyed for that reason, but the history that Higgins is covering is also quite good, and the balance of the two makes for good reading. Added to this is the art, which fit each story perfectly. A mix of cartoony when needed, realistic when necessary, but also an apt fit where needed. Most anthology stores have a story that sometimes seems shoehorned in. Not this one. A really solid story, that looks beautiful.

A book for people who love graphic novels, for both story and art, with all that jazz. One of my favorite graphic novels, and one that makes me excited for the medium, and to see what Kyle Higgins might be working on next.