Horrific scenes of anti-Jewish violence in Europe filled the newsreels in American theaters in the 1930s and 1940s.
What could be done to make sure it didn’t happen in America? One Jewish organization hit upon a remarkable idea—to enlist some of America’s most beloved cartoonists to wage a war on bigotry.
Cartoonists Against Racism uncovers the secret campaign to create anti-racist comics and cartoons to flood America’s newspapers, classrooms, and union halls. Meet the artists and the work that was their ammunition in the battle for America’s soul.
The book showcases impactful anti-racism artwork from the era’s preeminent cartoonists, including multiple Pulitzer Prize winners Bill Mauldin and Vaughn Shoemaker; New Yorker cartoonists Carl Rose, Mischa Richter, and Frank Hanley; famed antiwar cartoonist Robert Osborn; Dave Berg of Mad magazine; renowned sports cartoonist Willard Mullin; noted labor cartoonist Bernard Seaman; comics artist Mac Raboy (Flash Gordon, Captain Marvel Jr.); and Eric Godal, who escaped from Nazi Germany and became a leading cartoonist in the American press and acclaimed artist Dick Dorgan.
“An essential collection reminding readers of the historical tradition—and responsibility—of comics creators using their voices to push back against oppression drawing power against power.”—Nate Powell (March)
“Cartoonists Against Racism is a magnificent illustrated revelation, in which the battle against antisemitism joins anti-racism in an impressive campaign to realize America’s democratic ideals.”—Professor Marc L. Dollinger, Goldman Chair in Jewish Studies and Social Responsibility at San Francisco State University
“In Cartoonists Against Racism, Rafael Medoff and Craig Yoe tell the fascinating story of cartoonists and comics creators who fought against the tides of racism and antisemitism. This history is all too relevant to our world today.”—Danny Fingeroth (A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee)
“In a time when divisive rhetoric often dominates public discourse, 'Cartoonists Against Racism' serves as a poignant reminder that art and creativity can be formidable weapons against hate.”—Daniel Burns (August Tales)
Rafael Medoff is a professor of Jewish history, an author or editor of over twenty books on Jewish history, and the founding director of the David Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies.
Craig Yoe, called by USA Today “the comic book genre’s master archaeologist,” has written or edited nearly a hundred books in the field of comics and cartooning history.
Horrific scenes of anti-Jewish violence in Europe filled the newsreels in American theaters in the 1930s and 1940s.
What could be done to make sure it didn’t happen in America? One Jewish organization hit upon a remarkable idea—to enlist some of America’s most beloved cartoonists to wage a war on bigotry.
Cartoonists Against Racism uncovers the secret campaign to create anti-racist comics and cartoons to flood America’s newspapers, classrooms, and union halls. Meet the artists and the work that was their ammunition in the battle for America’s soul.
The book showcases impactful anti-racism artwork from the era’s preeminent cartoonists, including multiple Pulitzer Prize winners Bill Mauldin and Vaughn Shoemaker; New Yorker cartoonists Carl Rose, Mischa Richter, and Frank Hanley; famed antiwar cartoonist Robert Osborn; Dave Berg of Mad magazine; renowned sports cartoonist Willard Mullin; noted labor cartoonist Bernard Seaman; comics artist Mac Raboy (Flash Gordon, Captain Marvel Jr.); and Eric Godal, who escaped from Nazi Germany and became a leading cartoonist in the American press and acclaimed artist Dick Dorgan.
Reviews
“An essential collection reminding readers of the historical tradition—and responsibility—of comics creators using their voices to push back against oppression drawing power against power.”—Nate Powell (March)
“Cartoonists Against Racism is a magnificent illustrated revelation, in which the battle against antisemitism joins anti-racism in an impressive campaign to realize America’s democratic ideals.”—Professor Marc L. Dollinger, Goldman Chair in Jewish Studies and Social Responsibility at San Francisco State University
“In Cartoonists Against Racism, Rafael Medoff and Craig Yoe tell the fascinating story of cartoonists and comics creators who fought against the tides of racism and antisemitism. This history is all too relevant to our world today.”—Danny Fingeroth (A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee)
“In a time when divisive rhetoric often dominates public discourse, 'Cartoonists Against Racism' serves as a poignant reminder that art and creativity can be formidable weapons against hate.”—Daniel Burns (August Tales)
Author
Rafael Medoff is a professor of Jewish history, an author or editor of over twenty books on Jewish history, and the founding director of the David Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies.
Craig Yoe, called by USA Today “the comic book genre’s master archaeologist,” has written or edited nearly a hundred books in the field of comics and cartooning history.
