From Krakow to Krypton
Jews and Comic Books
By Arie Kaplan
Foreword by Harvey Pekar and JT Waldman

Price: $25.00

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Binding: 8 1/2" x 11", 240 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780827608436

Available: August 2008

Full color throughout

Preview the Table of Contents From Krakow to Krypton [PDF 720KB]

Preview the Introduction From Krakow to Krypton [PDF 2MB]


Preview chapter 1 From Krakow to Krypton [PDF 3MB]

Preview the Index From Krakow to Krypton [PDF 2MB]

Read a recent interview with author Arie Kaplan from WizardUniverse.com


"In From Krakow to Krypton, Arie Kaplan threads together the disparate elements of comicdom--Jewish culture, geek culture, fandom, sci-fi, adolescent power fantasies, outsider art, and the New York City of reality and myth--and ties them all together .... A smart, fun book."
- Danny Fingeroth, author of Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero


"A new and fascinating look at the history of comic books ... You really don't have to be Jewish to thoroughly enjoy this trip down comic book memory lane."
- Al Jaffee, long-time MAD Magazine contributor and author of the forthcoming Talltales


"Arie Kaplan has written a miracle of a book, as comprehensive as it is entertaining; a virtual Jew's Who of the comic book universe."
- Larry Gelbart, legendary TV writer/screenwriter (M*A*S*H, Tootsie)



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 and demonstrates how they brought a uniquely Jewish perspective to their work and to the comics industry as a whole.

Over-sized and in full color, From Krakow to Krypton is filled with sidebars, cartoon bubbles, comic book graphics, original design sketches, and photographs. It is a visually stunning and exhilarating history.

About the author
Arie Kaplan is a comedian, MAD Magazine writer, and author of the new comic book miniseries Speed Racer: Chronicles of the Racer for IDW Publishing. His other comic book credits include the DC title Cartoon Network Action Pack and the Papercutz series Tales From the Crypt. Arie lectures all over the country about comic books, comedians, and popular culture. He is the author of Masters of the Comic Book Universe Revealed! (Chicago Review Press) and he's also written for MTV, Cartoon Network, and PBS Kids. Please check out his website.


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Megillat Esther
By JT Waldman
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Jews in America
By David Gantz
Paperback: $28.00
American Jewish History
By Norman H. Finkelstein
Paperback: $18.00


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