Making History Personal with Derf Backderf

Celebrated graphic novelist Derf Backderf discusses his latest book, KENT STATE: FOUR DEAD IN OHIO, which documents the fatal May 4, 1970 shooting at Kent State University. Backderf sheds light on this event’s history and its aftermath; his decision to tell the story through the point of view of the four slain students (Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder) and a Guardsman; his research and writing processes; the evolution of his career; his view of the current landscape for graphic novels; his favorite independent bookstores; and more.   KENT STATE: FOUR DEAD IN OHIO is the Ohio Center for the Book’s 2022 Great Reads from Great Places selection for adult readers and will represent Ohio’s literary heritage at the 2022 National Book Festival on September 3.   Derf Backderf’s previous books include MY FRIEND DAHMER, TRASHED, and PUNK ROCK AND TRAILER PARKS. Learn more at derfcity.com and buy KENT STATE at your favorite independent bookstore. Mac's Backs sells personalized, signed copies of Backderf's books.   For full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.