From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books

by Arie Kaplan

Jews created the first comic book, the first graphic novel, the first comic book convention, the first comic book specialty store, and they helped create the underground comics (or "Comix") movement of the late '60s and early '70s. Many of the creators of the most famous comic books, such as Superman , Spiderman , X-Men , and Batman , as well as the founders of MAD magazine, were Jewish. From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books tells their stories...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0827608438
• ISBN13: 9780827608436
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Jewish Publication Society
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 2.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.4" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

This book is fun!

If you enjoyed Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay then you'll love this delightful treatment of the influence of Jews and the Jewish experience on the evolution of the comic book experience. No, that's not really a Hebrew letter Shin instead of an S on Superman's chest, its an S for Siegel and his Canadian cousin Shuster, but Kal-El is Hebrew and Clark Kent is the quintessential immigrant trying to hide his past and blend in. And yes, the origin of the evil Magneto's animus against humans comes from his childhood experience as a holocaust survivor, though the book also points out that the conflict in ideology between Professor Xavier and Magneto owes more to the differences between Martin Luther King and Malcom X that was current at the time. Nor does the book neglect non-adventure comics such as Mad Magazine. The book doesn't stop with the early comic eras but come up nearly to the present, for example it discusses the influence of Marvel's heroine "Kitty Pride" on Joss Whedon's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", now appearing in Dark Horse Comics. The illustrations are beautifully and lovingly reproduced in a glossy tone, either invoking fond memories if you've read the comics or a warm invitation to explore. Overall there is a nice balance between covering both the content of the comics and biographic material, quotes and stories about the writers and artists. I also enjoyed the historical timeline at the back. You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this book, just a fan of the comic book genre as a literary domain, however those interested in the social history of popular culture or the current crop of superhero movies will like it as well. Recommended.

An informed and informative history that is packed with history and nostalgia from beginning to end

Comic books have been an integral part of American popular culture since their invention as a mass market media in the early 1930s. The first comic books were simply collections of newspaper comics. It was Jewish writers and artists who took this new medium and expanded it as a form of popular literature that we know today beginning with the creation of such characters a Superman and Batman and the legions of superheroes and villains that were to follow down to this very day. What is less well known is that American Jewish writers and artists were also responsible for Mad Magazine, the graphic novel, the comic book convention, the comic book specialty store, and the underground comix movement of the 1960s and early 70s. In "From Kraow to Krypton: Jews And Comic Books", comedian and comic book writer Arie Kaplan provides an informed and informative history that is packed with history and nostalgia from beginning to end. Profusely illustrated throughout, "From Krakow To Krypton" is highly recommended for personal, academic, and community library "20th Century American Popular Culture" reference collections in general, and the personal reading lists of all comic book fans and graphic novel enthusiasts in particular.

Remarkable

Once upon a time, I read comic books for enjoyment. I used to buy Howard the Duck, Spiderman, Batman, Nova, and the 1970's Marvel westerns. That was then, this is now. At the tender age of 40 plus, I finally learn that the creators of my favorite books were Jewish! Not that it made a difference to my enjoyment that Bob Kane, Stanley Lieber, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, and so many others had a Judaic background, but now that I know that, some pieces have fallen into place. Arie Kaplan has written "From Krakow to Krypton", and explores the Jewish mythologies one more time. Danny Fingeroth, in "Disguised as Clark Kent", also took on the monumental task of studying the origins of the characters and their circumstances with relation to Jewish teaching. Both books are marvelous, and come across a little differently. "Krakow to Krypton" breaks the development of the comic book age into Golden, Silver, and Bronze with discussions centering on different topics and the logical progression from Eisner to Lee to Spiegleman. While comic books were not overtly Jewish, the concept of `strange visitor from another planet' and the `last survivor' reflect the Jewish transition during passages to America to escape oppression. Images like Clark Kents' bespectacled, book worm, mild mannered was stereotypical of being Jewish. Even the name, Kal-el, while it sounded neat to readers of the time period contained Hebrew. Roughly translated, it means "All that God is". Jewish readers would have picked up on that, while others would miss that entirely. The myth of Golem could even be read into Superman (as Eisner did). What is remarkable about this book is the depth of the discussion and the obscure examples of Judaic references in specific issues. For instance the prayer by the Thing from Fantastic Four (2002) is outstanding. Joe Kuberts' Ragman, Yossel: April 19, 1943, and Caper by Winnick make Kaplans' point beautifully. Throughout the life of Will Eisner, his work evokes a certain aura of Jewishness, and if we consider "Contract With God", "Zion", and the Spirit, the influence is powerful. If we add into the mix, the X Men by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Chris Claremont, the aliens within us theme is even stronger. I was mesmerized by the easy to read, easy to digest, and most importantly, the passion that Kaplan displays for his subject. Well chosen art accompanies the book, yet I hope the final pictures are taken from flat books (not bound in hardcover). Viewed as a series of two books, Krakow and Disguised should be primary sources for truly academic discussions why comics aren't just for kids anymore. I highly recommend "From Krakow to Krypton", just after morning prayers.

Don't miss this one.

Written in Queens, NY, made in China but pure American is Arie Kaplan's From Krakow to Krypton, the story of how the Jews created comic books and brought to the United States a Mississippi-like watershed river of illustrated stories, humor and adventures that fired up every kid's imagination, lifting them from the doldrums of an otherwise tedious world. From Krakow to Krypton starts at the very first comic book created by Charlie Gaines (Ginsberg) during the Great Depression and flows from there fed by continuous tributaries but also through the dams and rough waters created by folks fearful of this new industry. Crisp, color illustrations adorn the journey. Imagine a crisp copy of the cover of ACTION Number One Published in June 1938- the magazine that not only heralded in Superman but all the Superheroes that today are making Hollywood history and stunning box office grosses. This is a must for everyone who loves the Comic Book and like Levy's Real Jewish Rye; you don't have to be Jewish to love it. Raúl daSilva; author: first place national book festival prizewinner, The World of Animation.

Wow--just finished this book it's wonderful!

Arie's writing style is very engaging! I couldn't put this book down. It's filled with beautiful illustrations of many of my favorite comic book characters, as well as self-portraits of some of their creators.