The Bruce Librarian: Bruce picture books steal the picture
There are probably, on average, 3-4 books published about, or based on, Bruce Springsteen within the span of a year, so if two of those books are picture books inspired by Springsteen lyrics, can we call it a trend?
Because that’s exactly what is happening. With the publication of first "Outlaw Pete" from the fall of 2014 and this month "Born to Run: the Story of Johnny 99". the Springsteen bibliography now includes two books that a library might put in the same section as books by Richard Scarry and Beatrix Potter.
While Outlaw Pete by Frank Caruso received lots of publicity due to the fact that Bruce Springsteen himself collaborated and was listed as a co-author, The new book about a car named Johnny 99 by Wendy Parnell and Matt Hall so far has not stirred the same kind of attention. But that’s not for lack of Bruce gravy. Written as one long epic poem, every rhyming verse contains quotes from Bruce songs and other references to the man and his music. So many you’d be wasted before you were halfway through the book if you decided to turn it into a drinking game (which, of course, you wouldn't, this being mostly a children's book). Last but not least, the computer animation-like illustrations and the humanized classic automobiles complete the PIxar’s “Cars” meets Homer’s “The Oddysey” meets The Boss setting.
The outline of “Born to Run: the Story of Johnny 99” is not exactly ground breaking. A young rootless man (car) goes out to discover America and himself and returns as a celebrated hero. In some ways it could be Bruce’s story, although the understanding “dad” car may not quite fit that pitcture. However, mostly it’s the story of any man or woman realizing that sharing and giving are the true values to pursue rather than personal gains and wins. As such it’s the perfect book for Springsteen fans to read to their children, and of course, it doesn’t hurt that you can brainwash… sorry, influence… your kids with some of Bruce’s pearls of wisdom without forcing them to listen to the music. That will come soon enough.
“Outlaw Pete” is, of course, based on Bruce’s song by the same name. It consists of the lyrics to that song illustrated by Frank Caruso. Whether or not you like the song, the illustrations themselves are worth the price of purchase. They perfectly recreate that spaghetti western atmosphere that the song was going for too. There’s also inspiration from classic (in Europe at least) western comics such as Lucky Luke and Blueberry, but with even more drama. Each page is a true work of art.
Let me also take this opportunity to let the “Outlaw Pete” skeptics (or bashers) know that you are in fact wrong. The story of “Outlaw Pete” is quality and vintage Bruce. He wrote similar western epics in the early Seventies that never made it to record. "Outlaw Pete" perfectly uses Old West mythology - which, like the song. is full of ridiculous exaggerations - to illustrate a complex issue: how people can try to change for the better, but everybody still sees the old you, so you might as well stick with it, because it makes no difference. And for the record, the music, too, is one of Bruce’s most ambitious and grandiose productions since “Jungleland”, in a good way, but I digress.
Both “Born to Run: the Story of Johnny 99” and“Outlaw Pete” are beautiful examples of how Bruce’s songs can inspire other artists and art forms. We can only hope Caruso will follow up with sequels named “Highway Patrolman”, “Highway 29”, “Galveston Bay” or other great Bruce stories, and that Wendy Parnell hasn’t run out of Bruce referencing rhymes and verses. She is, we are told, a loyal Springsteen fan, but has written two other tribute books inspired by rock ‘n’ roll, including “Musta Notta Gotta Lotta Sleep Last Night” based on the music of Bruce associate Joe Ely.
“Born to Run: the Story of Johnny 99” is scheduled for release on the 40th anniversary of the Born to Run album, August 25. Read more here.