Holocaust Comic Books Given to Underprivileged German School Children

At first glance, there are at least three things that jump out at the average cynic:

* Holocaust atrocities are now being reduced to comic book material.

* Comic books are used instead of school books.

* Poor children are taught with comic books while others receive real books.

* Okay, I said three, but this is a freebie: the whole thing is done in Germany.

Holocaust Comic Books Given to Underprivileged German School Children

Date: January 8, 2002

Soothing One Ruffled Feather at a Time

Yes, Holocaust atrocities can be portrayed in the comic book format.

Having been born, bred, and educated in the Teutonic Fatherland, it was indeed a bit odd to come face to face with the reality that even the vilest human atrocities can indeed be put on paper in the form of a comic book. It is entitled Die Suche (The Search) and has been sanctioned by the Anne Frank Haus, a reputable organization that strives to educate the public about the reality of the Holocaust and the effect it had on the individual.

As some online searching revealed, others' feathers are undoubtedly ruffled as well, and the forum on the Above Top Secret site is buzzing with some well expressed dismay that Germany, ground zero of Holocaust atrocities, would actually use comic books as a medium for explaining them. After all, comic books are for entertainment and not serious learning and there is the chance that bringing together real life mass murder with an entertainment medium aimed at children will lead to the desensitization of a whole generation!

On the other hand, as Associated Content's very own Christine Stoddard pointed out in her 12-11-07 piece "Mice Versus Cats: The Verisimilitude of Art Spiegelman's Maus: A Survivor's Tale," the presentation of the Holocaust in an unconventional medium is not only possible but in effect permits for truthfulness. Add to this the Anne Frank Haus' claim that facts are being offered in such a way as to portray people who fell into various roles - mentioned are the roles of victims, perps, helpers, and quiet bystanders - and it becomes obvious that the comic book venue offers up a new world of possibilities not as easily realized by the conventional school book medium.