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Mad Man's Drum: A Novel in Woodcuts #[nn]
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeThis volume collects Lynd Ward's 1930 wordless novel told entirely through 128 woodcut engravings, following a man who acquires a sinister drum made from human skin and the tragic consequences that unfold across generations. As part of Dover's Fine Art series, this edition reproduces Ward's stark, expressionistic black-and-white prints that tell a complete narrative without any text, showcasing the artist's mastery of the woodcut medium and his influence on the graphic novel form.
"Mad Man's Drum" is a haunting, wordless narrative from Lynd Ward, whose masterful woodcut illustrations bring to life a life shaped by loss and quiet rebellion. Through a series of stark, expressive images, the story follows a man whose journey—from a slave's drum to a father’s burden—unfolds in a world where a mysterious piper seems to mark each turning point. Cover by Lynd Ward, this 2005 Dover publication captures a powerful, timeless tale of legacy and justice, rendered in the artist’s signature monochrome style.
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A slaver brings an African's drum home as a trophy. When his son plays the drum, the father sets him to books. As others roister or labor the young man [Madman] becomes expert in many fields, finally taking a wife. Through his life, a mysterious piper appears. As Madman's son grows he agitates for communism. When authorities frame the young man Madman proves the lad's innocence, but the laughing judges have already hanged him. Madman's daughter becomes enamored of a young man who treats her vilely, leading to her death. Madman reclaims his drum and walks away with the piper.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).
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