In the early twentieth century, strikes and union battles were common in industrial centers throughout the US. But nothing compared to the class warfare of the West Virginia mine wars. The origins of this protracted rebellion were in the dictatorial rule of the coal companies over the proud, multiracial, immigrant and native-born miners of Appalachia.

Our illustrated history begins with Mary Harris “Mother” Jones’s arrival at the turn of the century. Whitehaired, matronly, and fiercely socialist, Jones became known as the “miners’ angel” and helped turn the fledgling United Mine Workers into the nation’s most powerful labor union. “Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living” was her famous battle cry.

In 1912, miners led by stubborn Frank Keeney struck against harsh conditions in the work camps of Paint and Cabin Creeks. Coal operators responded by enlisting violent Baldwin-Felts guards. The ensuing battles and murderous events caused the governor to declare and execute martial law on a scale unprecedented in the US.

On May 19, 1920, in response to evictions by coal company agents, gunshots rang through the streets of a small town in “Bloody Mingo” county. In an event soon known as the “Matewan Massacre”; the pro-union, quick-draw chief of police Smilin’ Sid Hatfield became an unexpected celebrity—but also a marked man.

Events climax with the dramatic Battle of Blair Mountain that pitched the spontaneous Red Neck Army of ten thousand armed strikers against a paid army of gun thugs in the largest labor uprising in US history and the largest armed uprising since the American Civil War.

This graphic interpretation of people’s history features unforgettable main characters while also displaying the diverse rank and file workers who stood in solidarity during this struggle.

Praise

“It is past time to use the unique attributes of graphic arts to tell the remarkable story of the West Virginia Mine Wars. Black Coal and Red Bandanas applies the stark colors of its title to allow the reader to visualize the world in which it is set.”
—Denise Giardina, author of Storming Heaven

“Black Coal and Red Bandanas excels at delivering history through the unique narrative strengths of comics. By emphasizing character-driven drama at the heart of an expansive movement, Tyler and McClinton convey decades of struggle with humanity and clarity.”
—Nate Powell, illustrator of the March trilogy and Lies My Teacher Told Me: A Graphic Adaptation

“Black Coal and Red Bandanas is an accessible and inspiring piece of labor history chronicling the stories of ordinary West Virginians who rose in pursuit of justice. Thoughtfully written narrative joins rich artwork to present the saga of Blair Mountain in a way that will captivate readers of any age or background.”
—Elizabeth Catte, author of What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia

“An immensely important addition to the labor canon, Black Coal and Red Bandanas brings readers right into the thick of the Mine Wars’ hidden history, when working people of various creeds and colors banded together to fight the ‘thug rule’ of industrial overlords who valued profit over human life. An empowering story for our times.”
—Taylor Brown, author of Rednecks

“This is an exciting addition to the literature about a key period of US history. The sport of ignoring—even suppressing—labor history has just gotten tougher for those who wish it to remain hidden.”
—Ginny Savage Ayers, coauthor of Never Justice, Never Peace: Mother Jones and the Miner Rebellion at Paint and Cabin Creeks

“One of the enormous holes in the US school curriculum is the history of working people and working-class struggle. Through compelling illustrations and storytelling, Black Coal and Red Bandanas alerts young people—and all the rest of us—to one of the most significant periods of US labor history. This book is a gift to educators who want our students to learn a fuller, more accurate story of this country.”
—Bill Bigelow, curriculum editor of Rethinking Schools and codirector of the Zinn Education Project

“This enthralling