Graphic Novel Casts Civil Rights Movement in New Light

March: Book One shares lessons in fight for equality.

March: Book One - A veteran politician and lifelong civil rights activist, Georgia Rep. John Lewis brings the Civil Rights Movement alive with vivid imagery in the new graphic novel March: Book One (out now), the first graphic novel released by a sitting member of congress, according to publisher Top Shelf Productions. Keep reading to learn more about Lewis and his groundbreaking journey. By: Britt Middleton (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

1 / 10

March: Book One - A veteran politician and lifelong civil rights activist, Georgia Rep. John Lewis brings the Civil Rights Movement alive with vivid imagery in the new graphic novel March: Book One (out now), the first graphic novel released by a sitting member of congress, according to publisher Top Shelf Productions. Keep reading to learn more about Lewis and his groundbreaking journey. By: Britt Middleton (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

A Formidable Team - Lewis co-authored the trilogy of books with his staffer, Andrew Aydin. New York Times best-selling artist Nate Powell illustrated the series. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

2 / 10

A Formidable Team - Lewis co-authored the trilogy of books with his staffer, Andrew Aydin. New York Times best-selling artist Nate Powell illustrated the series. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

Reaching Young People - "The format was chosen to reach more young people and children, so they can know the history and meaning of the Civil Rights Movement," Lewis told Library of Congress Magazine about why he chose to tell his story in the form of a graphic novel. "It is an attempt to bring the movement alive through drawings and words." (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

3 / 10

Reaching Young People - "The format was chosen to reach more young people and children, so they can know the history and meaning of the Civil Rights Movement," Lewis told Library of Congress Magazine about why he chose to tell his story in the form of a graphic novel. "It is an attempt to bring the movement alive through drawings and words." (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

Lewis Recalls History - From the publisher: "Book One spans John Lewis’ youth in rural Alabama, his life-changing meeting with Martin Luther King, Jr., the birth of the Nashville Student Movement and their battle to tear down segregation through nonviolent lunch counter sit-ins, building to a stunning climax on the steps of City Hall." (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

4 / 10

Lewis Recalls History - From the publisher: "Book One spans John Lewis’ youth in rural Alabama, his life-changing meeting with Martin Luther King, Jr., the birth of the Nashville Student Movement and their battle to tear down segregation through nonviolent lunch counter sit-ins, building to a stunning climax on the steps of City Hall." (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

A Glorious Moment - As a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, founded in 1960 by leaders of sit-in protests across the South, Lewis marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 1963 March on Washington. At 73-years-old, Lewis is the last living speaker from that landmark civil rights rally. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

5 / 10

A Glorious Moment - As a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, founded in 1960 by leaders of sit-in protests across the South, Lewis marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 1963 March on Washington. At 73-years-old, Lewis is the last living speaker from that landmark civil rights rally. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

ADVERTISEMENT
Memories of Blood Sunday - As a young freedom fighter, Lewis was notably among protesters attacked by state troopers in the event known as "Bloody Sunday." On March 7, 1965, some 600 voting rights demonstrators attempted to march peacefully from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital of Montgomery, but were met will tear gas and billy clubs at Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

6 / 10

Memories of Blood Sunday - As a young freedom fighter, Lewis was notably among protesters attacked by state troopers in the event known as "Bloody Sunday." On March 7, 1965, some 600 voting rights demonstrators attempted to march peacefully from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital of Montgomery, but were met will tear gas and billy clubs at Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

Praise for March - Former President Bill Clinton was among notable names to offer praise for March. "Congressman John Lewis has been a resounding moral voice in the quest for equality for more than 50 years, and I'm so pleased that he is sharing his memories of the Civil Rights Movement with America's young leaders. In March, he brings a whole new generation with him across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, from a past of clenched fists into a future of outstretched hands," Clinton says. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

7 / 10

Praise for March - Former President Bill Clinton was among notable names to offer praise for March. "Congressman John Lewis has been a resounding moral voice in the quest for equality for more than 50 years, and I'm so pleased that he is sharing his memories of the Civil Rights Movement with America's young leaders. In March, he brings a whole new generation with him across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, from a past of clenched fists into a future of outstretched hands," Clinton says. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

A Tenured History and Honors - Since 1987, Lewis has served as U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district. His many honors include being awarded the NAACP's Spingarn Medal in 2002. In 2011, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, by President Obama. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

8 / 10

A Tenured History and Honors - Since 1987, Lewis has served as U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district. His many honors include being awarded the NAACP's Spingarn Medal in 2002. In 2011, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, by President Obama. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

A Significant Step - As the nation prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington on Aug. 28, where King delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream Speech," Lewis says the nation has come closer to realizing King's dream, but there is more work to be done. "The election of President Obama is a significant step towards making Dr. King’s dream become a reality, but it is not the true fulfillment or realization of his dream," Lewis told Library of Congress Magazine recently.(Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

9 / 10

A Significant Step - As the nation prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington on Aug. 28, where King delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream Speech," Lewis says the nation has come closer to realizing King's dream, but there is more work to be done. "The election of President Obama is a significant step towards making Dr. King’s dream become a reality, but it is not the true fulfillment or realization of his dream," Lewis told Library of Congress Magazine recently.(Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

A Great Distance to Go - "It is only a down payment on King’s dream of building a 'Beloved Community' — a society based on simple justice that values the dignity and the worth of every human being. We have come a long way, down a very long road toward accomplishing this ideal, but we are not there yet. We still have a great distance to go before we realize the true meaning of Dr. King’s dream," he said. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)

10 / 10

A Great Distance to Go - "It is only a down payment on King’s dream of building a 'Beloved Community' — a society based on simple justice that values the dignity and the worth of every human being. We have come a long way, down a very long road toward accomplishing this ideal, but we are not there yet. We still have a great distance to go before we realize the true meaning of Dr. King’s dream," he said. (Photo: Top Shelf Productions)