Family Secret Inspires Graphic Novel ‘The Hunting Accident’


All families have secrets. But imagine learning this secret when you’re 21: Your blind father didn’t lose his sight in a hunting accident, as you’d always heard. Instead, he was blinded in an armed robbery and spent four years in prison before you were born.

But there’s more. While in prison, your father became friends with, and was mentored by, one of the most notorious murderers of the 20th century, Nathan Leopold.  

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That true story that is the basis for a new graphic novel called “The Hunting Accident:  A True Story of Crime and Poetry.” 

The man at the center of the story is Matthew Rizzo. We speak with Rizzo’s son Charlie Rizzo, along with the book’s writer and illustrator, David Carlson and Landis Blair.

Below, excerpts from the book.


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