Arriving this July from Dark Horse Comics and Yoe Books is a powerful new book about cartoonists who fought against racism. Cartoonists Against Racism: The Secret Jewish War on Bigotry tells the remarkable unknown story of a Jewish organization that enlisted some of America’s most beloved comic book artists and cartoonists in a nationwide campaign against bigotry in the 1940s and 1950s.
Cartoonists Against Racism uncovers the secret campaign to flood America’s newspapers, classrooms, and union halls with anti-racist comics and cartoons. Within these pages, readers will meet the artists and the artwork that was their ammunition in the battle for America’s soul.
Cartoonists Against Racism is authored by Holocaust scholar Dr. Rafael Medoff and award-winning comics and cartooning historian Craig Yoe. It also features a foreword by Professor Susannah Heschel of Dartmouth, noted scholar and daughter of civil rights icon Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
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.
The official release date of Cartoonists Against Racism (paperback, black and white, 152 pages, 7×10”) is July 2 in bookstores, July 3, 2024 in comic shops. It is available for pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, TFAW and wherever comics and books are sold. The book will retail for $19.99 (US).
Praise For Cartoonists Against Racism
“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)
Brian Isaacs - Executive Editor / Publisher