From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books

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Lee sounds sincere; he sounds like he really believed what he was saying. Christianity perhaps, but Judaism? And these are the same people who promote miscegenation for white gentiles!

One important point that Kaplan makes is that while Jewish writers and artists created stories that promoted a Jewish worldview and Jewish interests, they usually did so in the context of gentile characters meant to appeal to the general population — a form of comic book crypsis. Remember there was a strong threat of assimilation here. Many of the Jewish artists in comics changed their names!

They felt if their names changed, it would be easier on them.

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Meanwhile, I find it hard to believe all this crypsis was due to discrimination within the industry, when Jews dominated the comics field, and were even publishers. Perhaps they thought that their subversive messages would be better accepted by the gentile readers if the openly Jewish identity of the writers and artists were covered up? Granted, they could have used openly Jewish names for pseudonyms, but, again, it seems the crypsis was aimed not at their co-ethnics in the industry who were in fact likely involved in ethnic nepotism and networking and knew the ethnicities of all involved , but at the reading public, who may have balked at buying comics if virtually all involved in their creation were Jewish.

Putting aside that homosexuals are not an ethnic group, note that Kaplan includes Jews with a variety of non-white racial groups. In , Neil Gaiman wrote the Marvel miniseries , which asks the question: What would Marvel Comics characters have been like had they lived in the year ? In the story, the ever-cunning Magneto tries to hide in plain sight by becoming the feared Grand Inquisitor, until his Jewish lineage is discovered and he has to come to terms with who he really is.

Those damn dirty Spaniards and their Inquisition! Clearly, only innocent Jews suffered, and crypsis such as described here was perfectly understandable. The intergalactic diversity of the Green Lantern Corps is a metaphor for the ethnic diversity Broome wished for all peoples. Another point that Kaplan stresses is the worldview of Jews as a non-white minority group, associated with, and in solidarity with, various other non-white groups such as Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc.

The Jewish influence in comics was not limited to Marvel and DC. EC Comics, in the s, was a very Jewish oriented company churning out propaganda to fit a specific Jewish worldview. Kaplan gives two excellent examples. Gaines and Feldstein [Sallis note: To put it in plainer language: Fredric Wertham , whom Kaplan identifies as being Jewish.

From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books - Arie Kaplan - Google Книги

If this ethnic designation is correct, then it is yet another example of that remarkable Jewish tendency to be leaders on all sides of an issue — in this instance, both the comic book writers, artists, and publishers, as well as the leading national critic of comic books. In the s though, Jewish influences were more cryptic and covert. That would soon change. Thus, with increased Jewish power in the s, Kirby, who was always more comfortable sublimating Jewish concepts into more subtle forms, became more and more comfortable in more overtly integrating the Jewish experience in his comics.

There seems to be an angry in-your-face ethnic defiance here; indeed, the age of crypsis is over. Sometimes these Jews make comics about themselves and their own lives, such as Harvey Pekar in American Splendor , all with strong Jewish influences. For the time being they are treated as honorary whites — but this can always change. Meanwhile, they find themselves pitted against African-Americans who are totally fed up with the double standard of justice. I wonder what the future holds. Drooker considers blacks to be the victims, not the beneficiaries, of racial double standards.

Any alliance of course is always formed against a real or potential enemy.

A purely rhetorical question, since we all know the answer to that. Jewish influences of course continue, and increase, as comic books are adapted to the movies, Hollywood long being a Jewish preserve. No, I do not think any of us are surprised that Jewish directors use their position to promote ethnic interests.

Eisner admitted that one motivation was his anger at Charles Dickens for helping to promote prejudice against Jews with the Fagin character. And so it goes. The need for crypsis and subtext is over — why hide when you rule the roost?

Nothing like a little paranoia to justify considering oneself an oppressed minority while being at the very top, the pinnacle, of the human energy pyramid. Indeed, the minority mindset is evident with so many Jewish comic writers and artists promoting openly Jewish characters, similar to what one would expect from blacks, Hispanics, or Asians.

I am unaware, for example, of Irish, Italian, or Slavic descended comic book writers and artists specifically creating characters of their ethnicity to promote a particular ethnic worldview. In the end, Kaplan praises the Jewish pioneers of comics as heroes, and to him they are. If From Krakow to Krypton could be summed up in one sentence it is this: Jews were and are dominant in the comics business, and they have used their position to advance Jewish interests, including deconstructing the old traditional White America by a pro-minority promotion of multiculturalism.

Table of Contents p. Leger and Reuths pp. Attack of the Clones pp. People of the Comic Book pp. The Spirit of the Times pp. The Leaden Age pp. Why We Fight pp. New Trends and Innocent Seducers pp. Super Family Values pp. Broome Makes a Clean Sweep pp.

Stan and Jack pp. Jun 11, Johnathon rated it it was amazing. Solid history of comic books with a special insight on how Jewish creators and characters influenced the medium.

Kaplan does a good job detailing the ins and outs of Jewish influence on comic books, from Superman's origin to the creation of "Maus", one of the greatest books in the medium, along with great insight for involved, from Chris Claremont to Neil Gaiman. Kaplan also includes whole comic strips for reading, making for a great, all involving read. For any fan of comic book history and how Solid history of comic books with a special insight on how Jewish creators and characters influenced the medium. For any fan of comic book history and how much the Jewish people helped create it, a must read.

Jul 09, Aadisht rated it liked it Shelves: Like Indian Summer, which I had finished a week ago, this had so much information I already knew that it gave me very little new to learn. It also is a little more comics and a little less Jewishness. I suppose I was also looking for validation for one of my pet theories - that Superman is an allegory for the feeling of freedom a Jewish refugee gains in America - and Kaplan did not validate that. But I would still recommend this to others who don't know a lot about the world of comics but are inter Like Indian Summer, which I had finished a week ago, this had so much information I already knew that it gave me very little new to learn.

But I would still recommend this to others who don't know a lot about the world of comics but are interested in finding out. Jul 17, Candy rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book is basically an in-depth history of not just Jews and comic books, but the history of comic books themselves. The Jewish community brought comic books to life and led the industry-- from the publisher of the first comic book and the creators of Superman, to Stan Lee Lieber and Jack Kirby and so many more.

Oct 24, Lisa Feld rated it liked it. Some good material here, but a whole lot of filler as well. Much of the book is given over to setting up the history of comics in general, stuff that anyone who has read a handful of basic texts would know: I have a real problem with him leaning so heavily on Kavalier and Clay as a source Some good material here, but a whole lot of filler as well.

I have a real problem with him leaning so heavily on Kavalier and Clay as a source; there are plenty of primary and secondary sources he could use including talking to some of the surviving players without mining a fictionalized version of the industry's history. And I'm not sure why Kaplan added the long digressions about Kirby's New Gods arc, or Art Spiegelman's creation of RAW , since neither has any Jewish content; Kaplan keeps shifting between the impact of Jewish creators on the industry, Jewish themes or lack thereof in comics, and the life stories of creators who happen to be Jewish, often without a clear rhyme or reason why something is included beyond his own particular enthusiasms.

I do appreciate Kaplan's discussion of how Jews were barred from other industries, making comics one of the few doors open to them.

From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books

And he's at his best when describing what made Chris Claremont choose to make Magneto Jewish and add Shadowcat to the X-Men, or explaining why the Thing not only being Jewish but hiding his Jewish identity for decades of comics canon is totally in character for both Ben Grimm and his creators.

As it stands, some chapters really shine, but the book overall retreads too much of the basic history for comics buffs and assumes too much insider knowledge and interest for newcomers. Jews and Comic Books is an interesting and easy to read non-fiction book that relates the experiences and the cultural influence of the Jewish people to the creation of comic books and especially superhero figures such as Superman.

The author does an excellent job of comparing common Jewish perspectives with those that become an integral part of the identity of the American superhero. The book is organized in chronological order and the author includes a timeline at the end of Krakow to Krypton: The book is organized in chronological order and the author includes a timeline at the end of the book with a comprehensive bibliography of sources. The book includes references the Jewish experience from the s to the development of modern graphic novels.

Young adults interested in comic books, superheroes or the Jewish experience would find this book helpful. May 27, Steve Wiggins rated it really liked it.

From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books

Comic books have finally begun to gain some academic credibility. While not an academic treatment, Kaplan's book is informative and fun. There's probably a sociological study to be done on why ethnic groups experiencing oppression create new forms of expression. You'll find many favorite comic book characters here, and a few more obscure ones. And you'll learn something about the Jewish experience along the way.

I wrote some other thoughts about it on my blog:

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