printSeptember 12, 2008
Comic Book Writer Arie Kaplan
Former Baltimorean, Arie Kaplan, is now a comics’ artist and author of “From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books.” iNSIDER catches up with him before his return to Baltimore for Comic-Con.
Maayan Jaffe
What do Superman, Batman and the Incredible Hulk have in common? These characters were created by Jews!
Baltimore native Arie Kaplan, comics artist and writer, will tell you all about it in his new book, “From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books” (Jewish Publication Society), hitting the shelves this month.
Kaplan grew up in Pikesville and attended Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School until 10th grade, in 1990, when his family moved to Houston. He said Charm City helped mold him into who he is today — a famous comics persona who has done work for MTV, Mad Magazine and Imagery Film. His last book, “Master’s of the Comic Book Universe Revealed” (Chicago Review Press, 2006), included interviews with comic legends Stan Lee (Spiderman), Neil Gaiman (Sandman) and Art Spiegelman (Maus). His newest work adds talks with Trina Robbins (GoGirl!) and the late Will Eisner (The Spirit).
Kaplan will be appearing at the Baltimore Comic-Con on Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
iNSIDER caught up with him before his visit.
iNSIDER: How’d you get into comics writing?
Kaplan: Even as a little kid I would draw pictures of the Count from “Sesame Street,” of Popeye. … People said I looked like Alfred E. Neuman of Mad. On my bar mitzvah invitation I put a picture of him with a yarmulke. By 12, I was going to a lot of Baltimore comic book conventions and I knew I would always be involved in this.
What’s a comics writer do?
It’s sort of similar to what a screenwriter/playwright does. The writer crafts the story. The artist is the actor.
How do people react when you say you write comics?
A lot of them are like, ‘Oh, you’re a comedian.Tell me a joke.’ They treat me like I am a drumming monkey. It’s such a weird profession, people don’t know how to react.
Tell me about “From Krakow to Krypton.”
It’s over 200 pages of interviews with more than 15 comic book creators and deals with Jews in every facet of the comic book industry, from 1930 until today. It covers superhero comics, the underground comic movement of the ’60s, the autobiographical movement and more adult-oriented comic books.
The name’s because a lot of Jews came from the same region in Europe — Russia, Germany or Poland—and became comic book writers. Krypton is Superman’s home world; Superman is sort of the ultimate immigrant, and Superman was created by two Jewish people.
Jews played a big role in the comics industry?
Jews created the comic book industry from the ground up and Jewish involvement in the comic book industry continues to be felt. The creators of Batman, Superman, the Incredible Hulk — all Jewish!
Today, there are more openly Jewish characters in the stories.
Lately, comedy that pokes fun at Jews, usually by Jews, is becoming more and more acceptable. Why do you think that is?
It has to do with the mainstreaming of Jews into American culture. It’s not that foreign being Jewish anymore and so it’s easier for Jewish writers and comedians to poke fun at themselves and not be afraid of airing their dirty laundry and being emblematic of all Jews.
Has comedy changed over the generations?
The comedy of the ’40s and ’50s was very genteel and polite. You were very careful not to offend. Comedians of today are brash and edgy. Comedy needs to evolve and change or it becomes stale.
Got any advice for budding Jewish comic book writers?
Don’t give up! So much of it is just perseverance.
For more information on Comic-Con, go to http://www.comicon.com/baltimore/index.htm