‘Jews & Comics’ Webinar by Comic Book Art Historian Arlen Schumer

American Jews not only created the original superheroes—they created the American comic book itself! “The People of The Book” became “The people of the comic book!”

One day in 1933, newspaper publisher Max Gaines (nee Ginzburg) came up with a novel idea: he took some pages of his tabloid-sized Sunday newspaper comics, folded them over twice, and stapled them on the side — creating the comic book as we know it. That same year, two 18-year-old aspiring newspaper cartoonists from Cleveland — writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster — created a character whom they hoped to sell to the very newspaper syndicates who worked with Gaines: Superman! And the rest, as they say, is history!

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the specific Jewish creations of the American superhero and its antecedents in older, ancient myths — from Ben Grimm to the Golem — as well as the significant contributions Jews have made to the medium of comic book art itself.

Led by award-winning comic book-style illustrator and historian Arlen Schumer, this uplifting “visualecture” filled with stylized images and original art will include:

• An overview of the pioneering Jewish comic book artists and writers, and how their innovations sparked a 20th Century American pop culture explosion that has only gained in prominence and stature in the 21st Century
• A discussion around the influential 1950s line of EC Comics (run by Gaines’ son Bill), which birthed MAD magazine
• Countless examples of how the rebirth of the superheroes in the 1960s was also a Jewish-led renaissance
• A look at the Jewish cartoonists in the late-20th and 21st Centuries and their groundbreaking graphic novels

Stick around after the webinar for a Q&A with Arlen, who will be ready to answer any-and-all questions about comic book art!

See you there, virtually! $10.

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***A full replay will be available after the experience for all registered guests

About Arlen

Arlen Schumer, MFA is one of the foremost historians of comic book art, named by Comic Book Artist magazine in 1998 as “one of the more articulate and enthusiastic advocates of comic book art in America.” His coffee table book, The Silver Age of Comic Book Art, won the Independent Publishers Book Award for best Popular Culture book.

Schumer is also one of comic book art’s most idiosyncratic practitioners, creating award-winning illustrations for the advertising and editorial markets.

“One of the country’s pre-eminent authorities on comics and culture.” —Jon Meyerson, Producer, ABC News’ 20/20

“Nobody speaks about comics with more authority, understanding and love than Arlen does. He is to comics what Pauline Kael was to movies.” —Clem Robins, letterer for DC and Marvel Comics

Testimonials

“Arlen is profoundly informative, engaging, and clear.” -Joel

“Arlen knew his stuff and was able to explain to common folks. Great comparisons of art in the presentation. Linked to current trends or popular movies of which most people would have a connection. Presented at a level that wasn’t too geeky.” -Brent

“Extremely knowledgeable presenter; amazing visuals, great pacing!” -Jesse

“Arlen was super knowledgable, and did a really good job relating the information to current day comic book movies and characters. It really was a great job by all.” -Joseph

“Really engaging speaker with polished presentation and command of the subject” -Al