Jack Johnson, Black Champion: 'PW' Talks with Youssef Daoudi and Adrian Matejka.

The article focuses on *Last on His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century*, a graphic novel by cartoonist Youssef Daoudi and poet Adrian Matejka that recreates the 1910 heavyweight boxing match between Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight champion, and James J. Jeffries, highlighting its racial and social implications. The book combines poetry and dynamic artwork to portray Johnson as a complex figure who challenged racial taboos amid widespread racism, drawing on extensive archival research and historical sources. The creators emphasize the book’s hybrid form, blending visual narrative with lyrical text to immerse readers in the era’s tensions, while acknowledging Johnson’s personal flaws within the context of his time. The work also reflects on the persistence of racial prejudice from Johnson’s era to the present day, underscoring its continued relevance.