Description
Book SynopsisThe most up-to-date critical guide mapping the history, impact, key critical issues, and seminal texts of the genre,
Jewish Comics and Graphic Narratives interrogates what makes a work a Jewish graphic narrative, and explores the form's diverse facets to orient readers to the richness and complexity of Jewish graphic storytelling. Accessible but comprehensive and in an easy-to-navigate format, the book covers such topics as:- The history of the genre in the US and Israel - and its relationship to superheroes, Underground Comix, and Jewish literature- Social and cultural discussions surrounding the legitimization of graphic representation as sites of trauma, understandings of gender, mixed-media in Jewish graphic novels, and the study of these works in the classroom- Critical explorations of graphic narratives about the Holocaust, Israel, the diasporic experience, Judaism, and autobiography and memoir- The works of Will Eisner, Ilana Zeffren, J
Trade ReviewA prolific scholar in his own right, Reingold has produced a lucid and detailed guide that appears at a time when interest in the genre is at its peak... [The book] is an exceptional resource for teachers, scholars, students, and readers of all stripes who are curious about Jewish graphic narratives. -- Brian Hillman * Reading Religion *
Jewish Comics and Graphic Narratives makes a significant contribution to the interrelated fields of Comics Studies, Graphic Novel Studies, and Jewish Studies. The original readings of key texts are illustrative of the complexity of this rich and developing genre. * Victoria Aarons, O.R. and Eva Mitchell Distinguished Professor of Literature, Trinity University, USA *
Jewish Comics and Graphic Narratives: A Critical Guide offers a superb overview of this sub-field in comics studies, clearly explaining the various nuances behind the terms of comic books and graphic novels, as well as what makes such graphic narratives Jewish. This is an excellent critical guide to English-language Jewish graphic narratives from the United States and Israel – the two major countries of their production –, offering a savvy interdisciplinary and comparative assessment of their signposts, uncovering their history, socio-cultural impacts, and the circulation arc they have established between authors, artists, readers, educators, and learners. Reingold’s thoroughly researched, poignant, and highly readable book – including insightful footnotes, a genre-arranged appendix of relevant Jewish graphic narratives, a glossary of crucial critical terms, and an extensive bibliography – is a must-have study and research tool for scholars, students and anyone invested in Jewish literature and the comics field. * Dana Mihailescu, Crown Family Centre for Jewish and Israel Studies, Northwestern University, USA *
Table of ContentsSeries Editor Preface Acknowledgements
Introduction Jewish Literature in the 21st century Graphic novels as a medium Defining Jewish graphic novels Literature review of scholarly research about Jewish graphic novels[LB1] Book overview
Historical Overview Jewish comic-book writers and illustrators in the superhero era Jewish content in superhero comic-books Jewish superheroes Underground comix, Will Eisner, and Art Spiegelman Jewish graphic novels go mainstream: America Jewish graphic novels go mainstream: Israel
Social and Cultural Impact Legitimizing graphic representation of sites of trauma Shifting understandings of gender by challenging hegemonies Mixed-media in Jewish graphic novels Jewish graphic novels and classroom instruction
Critical uses Graphic novels about the Holocaust Graphic novels about Israel Graphic novels about the diasporic Jewish experience Religious graphic novels Autobiography
Key Texts Holocaust graphic novels
X-Men: Magneto Testament – Greg Pak and Carmine di Giandomenico
The Diary of Anne Frank – Ari Folman and David Polonsky Graphic novels about Israel
Pink Story – Ilana Zeffren
The Property – Rutu Modan Graphic novels about the diaspora experience
Market Day – James Sturm
The Rabbi’s Cat – Joann Sfar Religious graphic novels
Megillat Esther – JT Waldman
Hereville – Barry Deutsch Autobiography and Memoir
How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less – Sarah Glidden Michel Kichka –
Second Generation: Things I Didn’t Tell My Father Appendix List of Jewish graphic novels sorted by genre
Glossary Index
