Hip Hop Family Tree
Hip Hop Family Tree is a series of educational and historical comic books written and illustrated by Ed Piskor that documents the early history of hip hop culture. Originating online with Boing Boing, the series was published in print form by Fantagraphics Books. The first collection was a 2014 New York Times Graphic Books Best Seller (#7) and was listed in The Washington Post Top 10 graphic novels of 2013. The second collection won the Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work in 2015.
| Hip Hop Family Tree | |
|---|---|
The cover of Hip Hop Family Tree #1 (Aug. 2015), illustrated by Ed Piskor. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Boing Boing (2012–2015) Fantagraphics Books (2013–2016) |
| Schedule | monthly limited series |
| Publication date | August 2015–July 2016 |
| No. of issues | 12 |
| Creative team | |
| Created by | Ed Piskor |
| Written by | Ed Piskor |
| Artist(s) | Ed Piskor |
| Letterer(s) | Ed Piskor |
| Colorist(s) | Ed Piskor |
| Collected editions | |
| Hip Hop Family Tree Vols 1-2: 1975–1983 gift boxed set | ISBN 978-1606997918 |
| Hip Hop Family Tree 1983–1985 gift boxed set | ISBN 978-1606999417 |
Piskor's artistic style in Hip Hop Family Tree — including his use of Ben-Day Dots — hearkens back to the comic book styles prevalent during the period being retold. Robert Crumb is openly referenced as an inspiration to Piskor, who cites Crumb's "Heroes of Blues, Jazz & Country" trading cards as an influence. Crumb and Piskor are similar in their commemorations of key artists and musical figures, and the informative narration of their chosen genre's historical evolution.