It is not an easy task to explain what a subtle but major role hot comb plays in a life of every African American girl. But Ebony Flowers does that in a magnificent manner in her debut graphic novel Hot Comb. Using vivid and direct language and techniques, she explores a complex topic – the relationship of a black woman with her hair. And, through her hair, with the world and people around her. Hot Comb is a collection of concise semi-autobiographic memoirs whose purpose is to both entertain and teach. Through 8 short stories revolving around taming natural hair, we get a glimpse into what it means to be an African American woman in America. But, at the same time, the book explores bittersweet dilemmas of childhood and growing up, trying to fit in, being a daughter, a granddaughter, a mother, an aunt, a friend… In Hot Comb, Ebony Flowers illustrates snippets of the lives of most African American girls, full of dreaded looks at hot combs and perm solutions, while the real...