The New York City underground music scene during the 1970s was boiling over with unique artists who all did their own thing. Part of a new movement that many began to call Punk Rock, there were the likes of the New York Dolls, Television, Patti Smith, the Ramones, and, of course, Blondie.
Blondie, formed in 1974 by Lead Singer Debbie Harry and Guitarist Chris Stein, would begin with a relatively primitive sound that was rooted in Punk Rock and Pop but soon developed into something uniquely their own. A journey that started around in small New York City clubs soon expanded outside the boroughs to some outside recognition by 1976 with the release of their self-titled debut album, before exploding to international fame with 1978’s Parallel Lines.
A remarkable story of unforeseen success; many would say Blondie was against the odds. Since earning a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, they have sold over forty million records worldwide, earned four number-one hit singles in the US alone, and are planning to release a new studio album in 2025.
A career worth celebrating, in 2022, they put out the must-have Blondie: Against The Odds 1974-1982 box set, which encapsulates the band’s first eight years and six albums (1976’s Blondie to 1982’s The Hunter). A collection available either as a four-LP set, eight-CD set, or three-CD set, there is also an assortment of rarities and outtakes to offer insight into the development of Blondie’s music. The first-ever official Blondie box set, bringing it all together, is a 120-page illustrated discography and hundreds of period photographs. However, looking back at this impressive set is not where reflections into Blondie’s history concludes because they also teamed up with the creative minds of publishers Z2 Comics to lay the groundwork for the graphic novel Blondie: Against The Odds.
A concept in development since 2021, the book was first released in early 2023. Highly anticipated by fans, those who were up to date on matters were able to eventually pick up the graphic novel as a Platinum Edition, which included a four-LP box set. Quite cool, it was also published as a paperback edition in December of 2023, but fans interested can also find a hardcover copy at local retailers or via the Z2 Comics website.
So, what exactly does the Blondie: Against The Odds entail? Well, it is co-written by the award-winning Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner and features illustrations from the talented Montos, with color from Chris Chuckry. An all-star cast for comic fans, the cover art by Conner and Paul Mounts immediately catches your eye with captivating sketches with the vivid colors of the classic band members.
These technical aspects are explained, and the story itself plays out in an imaginative way that retells how Blondie came to be and their battles to become a recognized Rock band. Laying a good foundation of interest, then it segues into stunning visual and written interpretations of ten Blondie songs such as “Hanging on the Telephone,” “Heart of Glass,” and “One Way or Another,” among others. Each song interpretation features different writers/artists, and the collaborative efforts show different perspectives that really capture the essence of the music.
Beyond this, the novel rounds out with an extremely well-composed essay called Blondie In Black And White from Victor Bockris (who has written about Blondie and Lou Reed, among others, in the past), which gives you even more introspective insight into the band.
Overall, Blondie: Against The Odds is a fantastic, artistic approach to the band’s history. It shows grit, rawness, and style… just like the band itself. That is why picking up the stunning hardcover edition is highly recommended, with Cryptic Rock giving it 5 out of 5 stars.
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