Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    So You Want to Read Comics

    So You Want To Read Comics: The Civil Rights Movement

    Jonathan CadotteBy Jonathan CadotteJanuary 17, 20232 Comments4 Mins Read

    We’re looking at a pivotal moment in history with this week’s “So You Want To Read Comics”.  This is our weekly feature where we take a look at a single topic or genre, then give you two comic book recommendations, perfect for new readers, based on that topic or genre.  This week we’re looking at comics tied to The Civil Rights Movement.

    The fight for equal civil rights for all people is an ongoing struggle, but for the sake of this feature, we’re looking at the period of time between 1954-1968 in the United States.  It’s this period of time where societal and political movements rose to combat the ongoing systemic racism and discrimination that has plagued The United States since its inception and then amplified post-Civil War.  This time period is marked by great civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and non-violent acts of civil disobedience like The Montgomery Bus Boycott and many sit-ins that brought the subject of Civil Rights to the forefront of the nation’s awareness.  While this era is also marked by tragedies like the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, it did ultimately lead to the largest advancement in civil rights in the United States since the Emancipation Proclamation.  This time has been immortalized in many pieces of pop culture, including comic books.

    Here are a couple of comic book series that help shed light on this time period in ways only comic books can.

    MARCH

    Writer: John Lewis & Andrew Aydin
    Artist: Nate Powell
    Publisher: Top Shelf Productions

    March is an autobiographical work from the late Representative John Lewis.  This graphic novel shows both the lead up to and the start of the Civil Rights Movement from his perspective as he goes from being a young minister in Georgia to becoming one of the major Civil Rights organizers at the time.  This graphic novel does a great job of adding a personal touch to depicting the events that happened, making them feel far more real than how they are typically shown in text books and other educational materials.  It also doesn’t shy away from the brutality and violence that those fighting for Civil Rights endured at the hands of other citizens as well as policemen acting on behalf of the government.  This graphic novel is followed up by two subsequent books March: Book 2 and Run, which further explore the fight for equality and the “good trouble” that John Lewis became known for.

     

    SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN

    Writer: Gene Luen Yang
    Artist: Gurihiru
    Publisher: DC Comics

    While this story technically takes place prior to The Civil Rights Movement, it’s still an example of how comics and the popularity of the characters that inhabit them can have on the real world.  This graphic novel is based on a Superman radio drama from the 40s that had a real world impact on exposing the disgusting nature of the Ku Klux Klan, and began to shed a light on the plight facing many minorities in the country.  While the original radio drama centered around Superman helping an African American family, this retelling focuses on a Chinese immigrant family as they try to settle into Metropolis but are terrorized by the KKK.  What this graphic novel really succeeds at is showing how the fight for equality doesn’t end.  While the events take place in the 40s, it was written in the 2010s and according to the creator was done due to a resurgence in the KKK’s ideals.

    What did you think of these recommendations?  Do you have any of your own?  Let us know in the comments section below.


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    Andrew Aydin Civil Rights Movement dc comics Gene Luen Yang Gurihiru John Lewis March Nate Powell So You Want To Read Comics Superman Smashes the Klan Top Shelf Productions
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticlePREVIEW: Avengers Forever #13
    Next Article PREVIEW: Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man #4
    Jonathan Cadotte

    At a young age, Jonathan was dragged to a small town in Wisconsin. A small town in Wisconsin that just so happened to have a comic book shop. Faced with a decision to either spend the humid summers and bitter winters traipsing through the pine trees or in climate controlled comfort with tales of adventure, horror, and romance, he chose the latter. Jonathan can often be found playing video games, board games, reading comics and wincing as his “to watch” list grows wildly out of control.

    Related Posts

    COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?

    Read More

    Runaways #1 Review

    Read More

    FIRST LOOK: Wonder Woman #22

    Read More

    2 Comments

    1. Karl G Siewert on January 18, 2023 10:37 am

      I highly recommend the OGN Stuck Rubber Baby by Howard Cruse, which is about a gay White man in the American South who participates in the civil rights movement while also exploring his own identity.

      Reply
      • Jonathan Cadotte on January 24, 2023 1:59 pm

        I hadn’t heard of that one before. Definitely worth a look.

        Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    6.0
    June 16, 2025

    Runaways #1 Review

    8.0
    June 15, 2025

    The Death of the Silver Surfer #1 Review

    4.7
    June 15, 2025

    Retro Review: Master Comics #11 (February 1941)

    9.0
    June 13, 2025

    Marvel United: A Pride Special Review

    6.3
    June 10, 2025

    X-Men #17 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • Nathan on Wayne’s Comics Podcast #696: Interview with Creators from Concrete Arcanum
    • Austin Cowboy on FIRST LOOK: Conan the Barbarian #21
    • Frank on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT