After spending a decade in Washington, DC, native-Clevelander Chad Bilyeu emigrated to the Netherlands. He has been residing in Amsterdam since 2009, looking for something different but not certain precisely what. This is the tale of an obstinate autodidact in one of the world’s most infamous places. Amsterdam is a city that most know of but do not know much about. This comic book is a portrait of a diverse metropolis as presented by a man destined to live there.

The fifth issue of Chad in Amsterdam is the long-awaited outsider response to the controversial Dutch holiday of Sinterklaas. This infamous yuletide celebration has warranted many reactions and responses, but none such as this. Four paradoxical tales of blackface in the 21st century toe the line of comedy and criticism, adroitly maneuvered by Chad and his spectacular cast of artists.

Artists include Dany Modesto Rodriguez, Lae Schäfer, Merel Barends, Eryc Why

Author/Artist: Chad Bilyeu / various
Publisher: self-published
Page Count: 28pp
Size: 6.5 x 10.25
Notes: saddle-stitched, b/w
Year of Publication: Winter 2020