Madman's Drum #[nn]
☆ Be the first to review"Madman's Drum" is a haunting, wordless narrative in woodcut by Lynd Ward, a groundbreaking work from 1930 that captures a life shaped by mystery and loss. Through stark, powerful imagery, it follows a man whose son’s fate is sealed by injustice, and whose own journey culminates in a final, enigmatic reunion with a silent piper. The story’s emotional weight and striking artistry make it a landmark in early American comics.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
A slaver brings an African's drum home as a trophy. When his son plays the drum, the father sets him to books. As others roister or labor the young man [Madman] becomes expert in many fields, finally taking a wife. Through his life, a mysterious piper appears. As Madman's son grows he agitates for communism. When authorities frame the young man Madman proves the lad's innocence, but the laughing judges have already hanged him. Madman's daughter becomes enamored of a young man who treats her vilely, leading to her death. Madman reclaims his drum and walks away with the piper.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).
Reviews
Reader reviews
No reader reviews yet.