Last On His Feet

This graphic novel explores the life of Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight champion, and his historic fight against Jim Jeffries.

A groundbreaking graphic portrait of boxing legend Jack Johnson, Last On His Feet offers a front-row seat to the Battle of the Century. On the morning of July 4, 1910, thousands of boxing fans stormed a newly built stadium in Reno, Nevada, to witness an epic showdown. Jack Johnson, the world’s first Black heavyweight champion—and one of the most infamous athletes of his time due to his race—was set to face Jim Jeffries, a former heavyweight champion hailed as the 'great white hope.' This event took place during the height of the Jim Crow era, with spectators eager for Jeffries to restore the racial hierarchy that Johnson had challenged with his remarkable skills in the ring.

Transporting readers directly into the action, artist Youssef Daoudi and poet Adrian Matejka intersperse dramatic boxing sequences with vivid flashbacks. These glimpses into Johnson's life reveal how he, the self-educated son of formerly enslaved parents, reached the pinnacle of sport while confronting a deeply racist justice system. The narrative highlights not only the physical battles Johnson faced but also the societal challenges that shaped his journey.

Through a combination of breathtaking illustrations and striking verse, Last On His Feet honors a contentious civil rights figure who has been denied his proper recognition for over a century. This graphic novel serves as a poignant reminder of Johnson's legacy and the ongoing struggle for equality in sports and beyond.