WILL EISNER by Irish toughs for being Jewish, Will Eisner found refuge in books. “There are ways to escape,” read the words above cartoonist Mazur’s sepia\u002Dtone illustration of a New York Public Library bookmobile. “Places where the new kid is always welcome.” A youthful dreamer, Eisner soaked up classic adventure stories set in far\u002Doff lands. “And then there’s the kind of literature they don’t have at the library,” writes comics historian Weiner. “You want this old pulp book? I’m done with it,” says a neighbor in the Bronx, handing the boy a copy of Black Mask magazine, a man on the cover menacingly pointing a gun. Young Will was dazzled by the action. In little time, he fell in love with drawing, taking after his father, Sam, a set painter who worked at, among other venues, the Yiddish Art Theatre in Manhattan. Thus began a fascination with cartooning that ultimately made Eisner a legend in the field—the comic industry’s annual Eisner Awards are named in his honor. Not that Eisner didn’t struggle to achieve success. Early on, his mother, Fannie, wasn’t thrilled that there would be two struggling artists under one roof. “Can you buy groceries with art?” she asks. Eventually, the answer, for Eisner, was yes. He got a job at the New York American newspaper, published his first professional work in 1936, opened a studio with Jerry Iger, and achieved great popularity with his masked detective hero the Spirit, whose dark style was inspired by German cinema. Comics aficionados also remember Eisner for Joe Dope, a character he created for the Army during World War II. The “bumbling private,” Weiner writes, taught soldiers proper procedure “by doing everything wrong.” There was little, it seems, that Eisner did wrong in his storied life, and fans of his—old and new—are all the richer for his captivating work." - Review & Purchase Guide | BookBookOwl

Name: WILL EISNER
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (37 reviews)
ISBN: 9781681123

Our Review

This graphic biography offers young readers a vibrant introduction to the pioneering creator who transformed comic books into a respected art form. Through dynamic illustrations and accessible storytelling, it chronicles Eisner's journey from early comic strips to his revolutionary graphic novels, making complex artistic concepts engaging for middle grade and young adult audiences. The book captures both the historical significance of his work on "The Spirit" and his lasting impact on visual storytelling.

What sets this biography apart is its ability to balance artistic appreciation with personal narrative, showing how Eisner's innovations in sequential art continue to influence modern comics and graphic novels. Aspiring artists will find inspiration in his creative process, while literature teachers will appreciate how it demonstrates the literary potential of the graphic format. This compelling portrait successfully bridges generations, proving that groundbreaking art remains timeless and accessible to new audiences.

WILL EISNER

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