THE MAFIA VS THE KLAN - MY INTERVIEW WITH C.E. MASSARI

'The Mafia vs The Klan' is a 120-page graphic novel set in America during the 1920s about one man's quest for revenge after a botched KKK assassination attempt claims the life of his young daughter. Based on real-life events, this story was written by C.E. Massari and illustrated by Martin Gimenez. Want to know more? Then please check out the following Q and A with the writer of the aforementioned graphic novel, C.E. Massari.





1) Name three words that best describe who you are.   I'd say, obsessive, competitive, and reflective.

2) What inspired you to create, 'The Mafia vs The Klan'?   After watching an episode of 'Military Channel Presents' titled 'Mafia vs. KKK', my dad said to me that this topic would be a really cool idea for a comic book. Intrigued by his suggestion, I soon wrote a five-page script for the Comics Experience Intro to Writing Course, which also included elements from my grandfather's own life, especially his interactions with the Klan. However, I knew I could build it into something much grander and with way more depth. So, since then, I have learned more about my grandfather, Mario, and further developed the story by incorporating more real-life elements, like the death of Augustina Massari, my grandfather's sister.

3) In your own words, how would you describe your story?   'The Mafia vs The Klan' is a gritty, violent, and emotional adventure that blends a very straightforward revenge plot, similar to the 2014 'John Wick' film, with the cultural and ethnic aesthetic of the Italian-American experience. The story is also wrapped in real history and events inspired by my grandfather's life.

4) What song would you say best represents your graphic novel and why?   I know this may sound a bit cliché, but there's plenty of music from the 1974 crime classic, 'The Godfather Part II', which would really suit my story, such as the main theme, 'The Immigrant', or some kind of Gregorian chant in Latin. There is a lot of religious symbolism and theological messaging in the background of my story, and that adds depth to the violence on the surface.

5) If you could get a celebrity - either living or dead - to promote your wares, who would you choose, and why would you want to choose this particular person?   To follow on from my previous answer, I would like to choose Francis Ford Coppola, but only because what he and Mario Puzo did to create 'The Godfather' was truly amazing. From my point of view, Francis managed to direct an authentic Italian-American gangster film without mentioning the mafia or resorting to stereotypes or caricatures. A true masterpiece.

6) What's the one thing about your graphic novel that might surprise people?   That it's real, ha! Seriously, though, it's based on real history, real events, and real people. Even the generational trauma from some of the nonfiction elements has had ripples to this day. While this is a love story to my family, epitomized by my pride in the name I carry as a Massari, it also includes elements of real-life pain. At the very least, I hope to turn that pain into something positive by sharing a powerful story people can enjoy and associate with.

'The Mafia vs The Klan' is a 120-page graphic novel written by C.E. Massari and illustrated by Martin Gimenez. For further information, please feel free to check out C.E. Massari's official Substack or his Kickstarter campaign.