IDW/ Top Shelf brings us George Takei’s illustrated biography, entitled They Called Us The Enemy.
They Called Us The Enemy is written by Takei and co-written by Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott. It’s illustrated in black and white by Harmony Becker.
The choice of black and white artwork is appropriate here, in this (obviously) true account of George Takei’s life. His challenges start off on the first page; It’s 1942 in California US, and George’s family is preparing for forced relocation to an internment camp. The family house has been seized by the US Government, their bank accounts have been frozen, all their possessions have needed to be sold at dirt cheap prices, and they are being sent east by train. By soldiers.
It’s a terrible time to be of Japanese descent in the US. After the surprise Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 1941, the US enters World War II. Japanese living in the US are deemed a danger. Racism, hysteria, and prejudice run rampant, prompted by fears that Japanese Americans will stay loyal to Japan during the War.
Takei’s memories of the forced relocation are vivid. The camp conditions are deplorable, the treatment harsh. It’s an eye-opening account by all means.
His account is made more personal for us as he emphasizes the effects of the internment on his family. It’s not just a historical documentation here, it’s the story of George and his family and friends. Broke, and emprisoned for years.
Harmony Becker’s artwork functions well here. She captures the essential elements, mixes in images of the political situation of the time, and focuses on the Takei family. There is a hint of cartoon or manga here and there, amid the realistic renderings of the camps and trains.
Sober reading, but well presented. A well made autobiography that will interest Star Trek fans and those who would like to know more about little-discussed events of the Second World War.
IDW/ Top Shelf, They Called Us The Enemy, $19.99 for 212 pages. Not rated, Non-Fiction, presume Teen.
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