STAR19712
(W) Will Eisner (A/CA) Will Eisner
by Will Eisner
This project was first conceived as an introduction to a pictorial adaptation of
Oliver Twist, but as Eisner learned more about the history of Dickens-era Jewish life in London, he uncovered intriguing materials that led him to create this new work. In the course of his research, Eisner came to believe that Dickens had not intended to defame Jews in his famous depiction. By referring to Fagin as "the Jew" throughout the book, however, he had perpetuated the common prejudice; his fictional creation imbedded itself in the public's imagination as the classic profile of a Jew. In his award-winning style, Eisner recasts the notorious villain as a complex and troubled antihero, and gives him the opportunity to tell his tale in his own words. Depicting Fagin's choices and actions within a historical context, Eisner captures the details of life in London's Ashkenazi community and brilliantly re-creates the social milieu of Dickensian England. Eisner's fresh, compelling look at prejudice, poverty, and anti-Semitism lends an extraordinary richness to his artwork, ever evocative and complex. Like the modern classics
Maus and
The Jew of New York,
Fagin The Jew blends image and prose in an unforgettable exploration of history.
SC, 7x9, 128pg, b&w
In Shops: N/A
SRP: $15.95