A new way forward

When it comes to the pantheon of today’s most recognizable superheroes, the vast majority can be traced back to Jewish-American roots. Heroes ranging from Superman, Batman and Captain America to Thor, the Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four were all conceived by Jewish creators.

From Stan Lee and Jack Kirby to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, there’s no mistaking the impact these men have had on popular culture.

But there’s something missing from that picture: women. Though the history of comics is littered with notable Jewish men, Jewish women have spent decades in the industry without a fraction of the recognition received by their male counterparts.

The Oregon Jewish Museum is currently hosting an exhibit that seeks to rectify this disparity. “Graphic Details” features the artwork of more than 20 female Jewish comics creators, with a
focus on their own lives as they tell it. The exhibit runs through Feb. 17.

“[‘Graphic Details’] is in contrast to more common-knowledge ideas of what people, particularly young people, think of when they think of comic books,” said Sandra Preston, project coordinator for the National Council of Jewish Women. “The contribution of female graphic artists really hasn’t been highlighted.”

In addition, president and CEO of national Jewish newspaper The Forward Sam Norich will give a lecture Feb. 3 titled “Comics, Journalism and Society,” as part of the museum’s ongoing exhibition.

“[Norich’s] topic is going to explore the way, just as graphic artists use marginality as a source of what they express through their work, similarly, the role of the journalist—and the role of Jews in society in some sense, too—comes from being on the margins, reporting on things that they observe from the sidelines,” said Bob Goldfarb, director of marketing and audience development at The Forward.

Norich’s lecture will also include a light brunch.