Graphic Novels: the new vernacular

Mission

The Jewish Comics Library of Seattle collects the works of Jewish comics artists; and works by non Jewish comics artists on Jewish themes. Comics are broadly defined as any works combining graphic imagery with words in either single panel or sequential settings. This includes cartoons, comics and graphic novels but is not limited to them. 

Goal

• To make this collection available to the public at a regularly scheduled pop-up library on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at the Couth Buzzard Bookstore from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

• To generate programming for Jewish education in both Jewish and non-Jewish schools and other educational settings

• To be available to researchers in Jewish culture, comics history and other related topics

Vision

The Jewish Comics Library seeks to create a cultural focal point around the phenomenon of Jewish participation in this artform. Like Hollywood, Theater, Comedy, Music and Fashion, the Comics have been a fertile ground for Jewish creativity and entrepreneurship. Jews had access to these marginal artforms without the usual restrictions they encountered in other professions during the first half of the 20th century. The current trend in Graphic Novels  continues to add sustenance to the book publishing industry. Jews continue to have outsized involvement in this artform.

Someday it would be nice to have a permanant physical presence but our regular schedule of pop ups provides space for public interaction with the collection. We foresee various cultural activities related to the collection,  workshops, classes, study groups and celebratory gatherings are all in the cards.  

Inspiration has been drawn from the Yiddishist movements in 19th century Eastern Europe that spread to the US into the middle of the 20th century. It created a thriving, vibrant and distinctive Jewish culture within the host culture and was the impetus for the spread of Yiddish theater and literature. Combined with Klezmer music and a unique cuisine, the cultural Yiddish tradition continues today and is now reinforced by the resurgence of Klezmer music and the expanding body of Jewish graphic literature, as are other varieties of Jewish cultural expression. Going forward we expect to see many more graphic stories and memoirs focused on the lived experiences of Jews, as well as the Jewish imagination. We hope to encourage the trend in its fullest diversity.