Graphic Novel - Al Capone

Black Panel Press makes you an offer you can't refuse with the September release of its highly anticipated book, Al Capone...

Press Release

Written by Swann Meralli and illustrated by PF Radice, this gripping graphic novel delves deep into the life and legacy of one of America's most infamous figures, Al Capone.

Based on truth, lies, myths, and rumors, this is the story of the greatest gangster of all time: Al Capone. Family man, community leader, industrious smuggler, or vicious killer? You decide.

Born into a poor Italian family in Brooklyn in 1899, little Alphonse didn’t have a lot of options, so he’d have to get creative in order to make a name for himself. A bit of cards, some enforcing, maybe a little protection are a great start. A man’s gotta provide for his family, capisce? But, when prohibition starts up in 1920, Al Capone will discover his golden ticket to untold fame and fortune.

Now, nobody’ll ever forget the name Capone.


Al Capone delves deep into the enigmatic persona behind the headlines, providing readers with a riveting narrative of Capone's rise to power during the tumultuous era of Prohibition. With an engaging storytelling approach, Meralli takes readers on a captivating journey through the underbelly of Chicago's criminal empire.

This captivating biography unveils the lesser-known aspects of Al Capone's early life, shedding light on the circumstances that shaped him into the legendary figure he became. From his involvement in organized crime to his control over speakeasies and bootlegging operations, the book reveals the intricacies of Capone's empire, offering readers a front-row seat to the secret dealings and violent rivalries that defined his reign.

Al Capone goes beyond surface-level accounts, presenting a multi-dimensional portrait of the man who ruled Chicago's criminal underworld. The book explores the complex dynamics between Capone and his inner circle, providing insights into his relationships with key figures such as Johnny Torrio and Big Jim Colosimo.

Readers will be captivated by the engrossing narrative and vivid descriptions that bring Al Capone's world to life. Through the pages of this gripping biography, they will witness the thrilling cat-and-mouse game played between Capone and law enforcement agencies, including the pursuit by Eliot Ness and his Untouchables.

Here's a sneak peek at a few inside pages:

About the Author

Swann Meralli is from Lyon, France. He studied civil engineering at the National Institute of Applied Sciences. In parallel with his studies, Meralli cultivated a strong interest in cinema.

He has written several comics and graphic novels; for his first work, L'Homme, he teamed up with the cartoonist Ulric. Meralli wrote the graphic novel Algériennes: The Forgotten Women of the Algerian Revolution with Zac Deloupy, which highlights the role of women in the Algerian War of Independence. In 2020, he joined forces with Clément Rizzo for The Association of African Women. He has also collaborated, with Léah Touitou, with the periodical Les Rues de Lyon for the story Cavales in 2019.

About the Artist

Pierre-Francois Radice spent his childhood daydreaming with his head in the mountains. He then joined the Émile Cohl school, where he now teaches sculpture. He’s often in the kitchen as well as drawing for La Pâtisserie en BD and La Cuisine en BD published by Casterman.

Al Capone will be available on September 19th, 2023 from major book retailers and online platforms. It is available to pre-order HERE.

Images - courtesy of Black Panel Press