Goldenboy

Ludwig van Beethoven created music that moves and inspires us to this day; his very name sparks a melody in the ear. But are you born a genius? This graphic biography asks: "Who was Beethoven before he became 'Beethoven?'

The comic tells Beethoven's live from 1778 to his first major public appearance in Vienna in 1795. It begins when the family is living a difficult life in Bonn. Father Johann battles with alcoholism and is deep in debt. Only young Ludwig and his talent at the piano offer any hope for the future — if only he would stop composing his own pieces and just play what's expected of him.

I was asked to do a short comic story by the Staatsbibliothek Berlin. Through this opportunity, i discovered the diaries of the baker's son that lived downstairs from Beethoven's family, the content of which inspired Golden Boy.

I tried to mix humor with empathy and pure social drama, crafting a coming-of-age story that transcends its biographical subject matter. I hope that my book is suited to the tall task of capturing Beethoven's timeless music visually.

The English edition was published in 2022 by Fantagraphics under the title Golden Boy: Beethoven's Youth.

Press reviews

"A fast and furious contemporary take on the upbringing of a tortured genius."
Publishers Weekly

"The lively artwork has an exaggerated and colorful style, and the expressive scenes depicting Beethoven's music are a wonderfully chaotic representation of the composing process."
Booklist

"Artfully complex and lovingly rendered — an eminently re-readable story of a person and a place."
Solrad

"The childhood of Beethoven comes to vivid life in Golden Boy. ... Any fan of classical music will discover a new appreciation for comics."
Broadway Direct

Awards and Editions

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

INK Award, EuregioKultur e.V

The Spanish edition has been published by Reservoir Books under the title El joven Ludwig.

The Dutch edition was published in 2021 by Scratch Books under the title Goudhaantje.

The French edition was published in 2021 by Dargaud under the title Ludwig et Beethoven.

The original German edition was published in 2020 by avant-verlag under the title Goldjunge.