Brandon and Henry do a deep dive into future Black Adam star, Atom Smasher aka Nuklon aka Albert Rothstein. We welcomed our first guest, none other than the legendary creator JERRY ORDWAY! In this very special episode we talked to the co-creator (along with Roy Thomas), Jerry Ordway! Jerry is best known for his lengthy run as the writer/artist on Superman but here we got to dig a little deeper with him on Nuklon!We also cover many issues: Infinity Inc. #48, March 1988 “The Making of a Man”Written by Roy Thomas and Dann ThomasPenciled by Vince ArgondezziInked by Tony DeZunigaColored by Liz BerubeLettered by Jean SimekEdited by Roy ThomasCONTENT WARNING: The next several issues were written by Gerard Jones. Jones is currently serving a 6 year prison sentence for, "Possession of images of child sexual abuse." Other than officially denouncing him, and making a brief mention we do not talk about him personally but we do cover his issues. Justice League America #95, January 1995 “Where the Wild Things Are”Justice League America #109, March 1996  “All That Yazz”Justice League America #110, April 1996  “New Devils for Old”Justice League America #112, July 1996  “The Purge, Chapter 2: To Say Goodbye”Justice League America #113, August 1996  “The Purge, Chapter 3: To All Our Company”Written by Gerard JonesPenciled by Chuck Wojtkiewicz (voit-KEV-itch)Inked by Bob DvorakColored by Gene D’AngeloLettered by Clem RobinsEdited by Brian Augustyn and Ruben DiazJustice League Unlimited #16, December 2005 “Smashing Through the Snow!”Written by Adam BeechenPenciled by Carlo BarberiInked by Jim RoyalColored by Heroic AgeLettered by Travis LanhamEdited by Tom Palmer, Jr.

Funny, They Don't Look Jewish!

Episode 19 - Atom Smasher - With Special Guest JERRY ORDWAY

1. Iceman #1, December 1984Bobby DrakeFirst appearance: X-Men #1 (Sep 1963)Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby2. Arsenic -Gertrude YorkesX-Men/Runaways (FCBD), May 2006 - art by Skottie Young3. Mettle Avengers Academy #5, October 20104. Sasquatch The Infinity Crusade #1, June 19935. WiccanUncanny X-Men #526 (July 2010) (Allan Heinberg)Avengers: The Children’s Crusade (November 2010)New Avengers (Vol. 4) #3 (Nov 2015) (Al Ewing)6. Doc SamsonIncredible Hulk #143, September 1971“Sanctuary!”Written by Roy ThomasPenciled by Dick Ayers Inked by John SeverinLettered by Sam RosenEdited by Stan LeeIncredible Hulk #373, September 1990“Mending Fences”Written by Peter DavidPenciled by Dale Keown Inked by Sam de la RosaColored by Glynis OliverLettered by Joe RosenEdited by Bobbie ChaseMarvel Holiday Special 1992, January 1993“Revisionist History”Written by Peter DavidPenciled by John HebertInked by Mike DecarloColored by Glynis OliverLettered by Brady JoyceEdited by Renee Witterstaetter7. White Tiger - Casper KoleBlack Panther Vol. 3 #56, May 2003 “Black and White Part 6: Ol’ Boy Enters the Life”Written by Christopher PriestPenciled by Jim CalafioreInked by Mark McKennaColored by Jennifer SchellingerLettered by Paul TutroneEdited by Mike Marts 

Episode 18 - Three Shy of a Minyan (with trigger warning)

We'll be looking at: Sandman Mystery Theatre #39, June 1996 “The Mist: Act Three of Four” Written by Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle Penciled and inked by Guy Davis Colored by David Homung Lettered by John Costanza Edited by Karen Berger and Keri Kowalski Sandman Mystery Theatre #40 July 1996 “The Mist: Act Four of Four” Written by Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle Penciled and inked by Guy Davis Colored by David Homung Lettered by John Costanza Edited by Karen Berger and Keri Kowalski Vertigo Winter's Edge #1 “Spirit of the Season” Written by Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle Pencilled and inked by John K. Snyder III Colored by Bjarne Hansen Edited by Karen Berger You can follow along with the comics here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=jewishcomicspod&set=a.2364874963636107 Many thanks to NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2019/02/20/695941323/when-nazis-took-manhattan

Episode 17 - Wesley Dodds - The Golden Age Sandman

Brandon and Henry wrap up their discussion of Rabbi Ramban! Possibly FTDLJ's favorite super-hero to date! We look at issues: Suicide Squad #63, Mar 1992 “True Minds” Written by John Ostrander and Kim Yale Penciled by Geof Isherwood Inked by Robert Companella and Andrew Pepoy Colored by Tom McCraw Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dan Raspler The Spectre (Vol. 3) #15, Feb 1994 “Old Blood” Written by John Ostrander Penciled and Inked by Tom Mandrake Inked by Robert Companella and Andrew Pepoy Colored by Carla Feeny and Digital Chameleon Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dan Raspler and Peter Tomasi The Spectre (Vol. 3) #16, Mar 1994 “Call for Blood” Written by John Ostrander Penciled by Jim Aparo Inked by Kelley Jones Inked by Robert Companella and Andrew Pepoy Colored by Carla Feeny and Digital Chameleon Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dan Raspler and Peter Tomasi The Spectre (Vol. 3) #17, Apr 1994 “Into the Dark Side” Written by John Ostrander Penciled and Inked by Tom Mandrake Inked by Robert Companella and Andrew Pepoy Colored by Carla Feeny and Digital Chameleon Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dan Raspler and Peter Tomasi You can follow along with the comics here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=jewishcomicspod&set=a.2365063246950612

Episode 16 - Ramban - Part 2

We're covering Ramban! That's right Ramban, no not the medieval Jewish commentator but the DC hero appearing in Suicide Squad! RAMBAN! Suicide Squad #45, Sept 1990 “The Jerusalem Serpent” Written by John Ostrander and Kim Yale Penciled and Inked by Geof Isherwood Colored by Carl Gafford Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dan Raspler Suicide Squad #46, Oct 1990 “Choice of Evils” Written by John Ostrander and Kim Yale Penciled by Luke McDonnell Inked by Geof Isherwood Colored by Carl Gafford Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dan Raspler Suicide Squad #47, Nov 1990 “Choice of Dooms” Written by John Ostrander and Kim Yale Penciled and Inked by Geof Isherwood Colored by Tom McCraw Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dan Raspler

Episode 15 - Ramban - Part 1

Back in July 2020, Brandon and Henry were welcomed by the Association of Jewish Libraries to present at their Digital conference. Originally the conference was supposed to take place in person, in Evanston, IL. Obviously, because of the pandemic it was moved to Zoom. This was a unique opportunity to share the world of Judaism and Comic books with people who deal with books on a daily basis. Brandon and Henry first shared highlights of the podcast, spotlighting The Thing, Batwoman and Kitty Pryde, followed by all of the Jewish references to Colossal Boy including a live reading of TEEN TITANS GO! #49. Rundown of the episode below: The Thing vol 2 #8 (2006) - The Thing's Bar-Mitzvah Detective Comics #860 (2009) - Batwoman and her Jewish table X-Men Unlimited #38 (2002) Kitty Pryde Lighting a Yahrtzeit candle Legion of Super-Heroes and Paul Levitz bio Colossal Boy - DC Special Series #21 (1979), Secrets of the Legion of Super-Heroes (Vol. 1) #1 (1980), Legion of Super-Heroes (Vol. 2) #308 (1984), Legion of Super-Heroes (Vol. 6) #6 (2010) Live reading of Teen Titans Go! #49, November 2017 “Oil’s Well”  Written by Sholly Fisch  Penciled and Inked by Lea Hernandez  Colored by Bob Sharen  Lettered by Wes Abbott  Edited by Kristy Quinn  

Episode 14 - Colossal Boy - Live at the AJL Digital Conference!

In this episode we conclude our discussion of the Israeli super-hero, SABRA! We go back to Sabra's second appearance in Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions Vol 1 #2 Published July, 1982 "Frenzy in the Frozen North!" Writer Mark Gruenwald, Bill Mantlo Steven Grant Penciler John Romita Jr. Inker Pablo Marcos Colourist Michele Wolfman Christie Scheele LettererJoe Rosen EditorMark Gruenwald Tom DeFalco Followed by a story from two issues: New Warriors #58, April 1995 “Shalom, Shalom (Goodbye, Peace)” Written by Evan Skolnick Penciled by Patrick Zircher Inked by Bruce Patterson and Andrew Pepoy Colored by Joe Rosas Lettered by John Costanza Edited by Tom Brevoort New Warriors #59, May 1995 “Radicals” Written by Evan Skolnick Penciled by Patrick Zircher Inked by Sam de la Rosa and Russ Sever Colored by Joe Rosas Lettered by John Costanza Edited by Tom Brevoort

Episode 13 - Sabra - Part 2

In this episode Brandon and Henry travel to Israel (via Zoom) to meet the Israeli and Jewish, SABRA! Brandon and Henry have their first episode over Zoom since shelter in place started. We discuss a character we don't know that much about but are learning a ton! Sabra appears in three HULK issues here, spanning 2 decades.

Episode 12 - Sabra - Part 1

We conclude our deep dive of MOON KNIGHT! We discuss the very dark but fascinating story in Moon Knight #194 written by pop-punk singer and comic book writer, Max Bemis

Episode 11 - Moon Knight - Part 3

Our tenth episode! A full set of Kabbalistic Sefirot! This is Part 2 of our exploration of Moon Knight. We look at Moon Knight #38, part 2 of the story of the villain Zohar! Moon Knight #38, July 1984 “Final Rest” *- Written by Alan Zelenetz Penciled by Bo Hampton Inked by Armando Gil Colored by Christie Scheele Lettered by Joe Rosen Edited by Denny O’Neill* Incredible cover that seems to have concentric circles of Hebrew text Looks like an amulet Page 1 Our hooded figure lays out Rabbi Spector’s body “Master, thy soul has shed its skin and ascended the ten spheres to union with God. Thence hast thou returned to thy disciple with the hidden wisdom of angel and seraph… from thee, Elias Spector, I have learned the Lord’s names of power to summon forth the Divine Spark from within my mortal form. Such secrets must remain mine alone and none others. Now, as Zohar, I shall illumine truth and scourge the sinful in God’s name, bringing atonement and a cleansing to this world.” I LOVE THIS 10 spheres = Sefirot But what about Kaddish and soul taking time to ascend? Wisdom of angel and seraph - reminds me of heichalot lit God’s names having power Zohar - central text of Kabbalah - literally splendor Page 3 Marc goes after Curly, the gangster the hoodlums named last issue “I’m the angel of death, beer-belly. You don’t want to make me angry.” Page 8 Mr. Weiss drops by the Spector home to pick up the Rabbi’s books and papers All donated to the seminary “Most of these manuscripts are one of a kind, aren’t they?” Page 9 Marlene looks at a photo of Elias with his students. Elias in a chair, all his students standing behind him Traditional Jewish learning Megillah 21a explains a teacher should sit on the ground while disciples stand around him Zohar is stealing materials, including an actual scroll Page 10 “In the name of heaven, do you think Zohar will allow this mystic wisdom to pass into the hands of the sinful and ignorant? Know the divine spark of justice, mortal woman--” He shoots electric blasts at her Spark of justice - Din of the sefirot is the one most inclined towards sitra achra, the other side Ezekiel 1:4 וָאֵ֡רֶא וְהִנֵּה֩ ר֨וּחַ סְעָרָ֜ה בָּאָ֣ה מִן־הַצָּפ֗וֹן עָנָ֤ן גָּדוֹל֙ וְאֵ֣שׁ מִתְלַקַּ֔חַת וְנֹ֥גַֽהּ ל֖וֹ סָבִ֑יב וּמִ֨תּוֹכָ֔הּ כְּעֵ֥ין הַחַשְׁמַ֖ל מִתּ֥וֹךְ הָאֵֽשׁ׃ I looked, and lo, a stormy wind came sweeping out of the north—a huge cloud and flashing fire, surrounded by a radiance; and in the center of it, in the center of the fire, a gleam as of amber. Maimonides identifies Chashmalim as the fourth rank of angelic hierarchy Word used in Modern Hebrew for electricity Page 12 Zohar has written אמת on Elias’ forehead “The secrets are safe with me, father of my soul, and through them mankind shall be brought to do penance.” Christian term Marc and Marlene go to the seminary library at Rabbi Reuben Davis’ request Wind up chatting with Mr. Weiss Declares Elias as world’s expert in Kabbalah Marlene asks what Kabbalah is Marc doesn’t know, he resisted Jewish “religious” studies Page 13 Mr. Weiss starts explaining Kabbalah “You see, those initiated in the secret traditions claim to own passwords that open the gates of heaven to the soul searching for its creator.” Again, this is heichalot literature. Meditative ascent Between late antiquity and early Middle Ages (3rd century to 6th or 7th?) Hekhalot Rabbati (“Greater Palaces”), detailing the ascent of Rabbi Ishmael This is the most solid Jewish mysticism in a comic book we have encountered. Beats Rucka “Union with God brings great bliss and knowledge. But it can also lead to madness. Some have attempted to wield magic power through Kabbalah, to pervert the knowledge of God to selfish ends.” Hagigah 14b: Four men entered the pardes — Ben Azzai, Ben Zoma, Acher, and Rabbi Akiva. Ben Azzai looked and died; Ben Zoma looked and went mad; Acher destroyed the plants; Akiva entered in peace and departed in peace. Long a concern of such perversion, rabbinic hesitance to looking behind the veil Marlene asks why someone would desecrate a grave “The soul of a dead man, free of the body, journeys to God more easily than a living man’s soul. There are legends suggesting that a soul can be brought back to its dead body by necromancy and made to utter its knowledge of God to a living Kabbalist.” Practical Kabbalah = essentially magic Writes of forbidden and permitted activities “This is the word EMETH, ‘truth’ in Hebrew. INscribing it on the forehead of one dead and reciting appropriate spells is believed to bring the breath of life back into its form.” That form being, essentially, a golem Page 14 “The body can be returned to death by erasing the first letter, which leaves the word METH or ‘dead’ in Hebrew” Marlene attends a Kabbalah lecture with Mr. Weiss Marc goes to the “seminary chapel” Page 15 Zohar shows up, citing Deuteronomy 21:18 Ben sorer u’moreh “It is written, a wayward and rebellious son shall be put to death that you might rid yourselves of evil in your midst.” Sanhedrin 68b - limiting of a possible ben sorer u’moreh From when he grows two pubic hairs, which are a sign of puberty and from which time he is considered an adult, until he has grown a beard around. The reference here is to the lower beard surrounding his genitals, and not the upper beard, i.e., his facial hair, but the Sages spoke in euphemistic terms. As it is stated: “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son” (Deuteronomy 21:18), which indicates that the penalty for rebelliousness is imposed upon a son, but not upon a daughter; and upon a son, but not upon a fully grown man. A minor under the age of thirteen is exempt from the penalty imposed upon a stubborn and rebellious son, because he has not yet reached the age of inclusion in mitzvot. משיביא שתי שערות ועד שיקיף זקן התחתון ולא העליון אלא שדברו חכמים בלשון נקיה שנאמר (דברים כא, יח) כי יהיה לאיש בן בן ולא בת בן ולא איש קטן פטור שלא בא לכלל מצות: Zohar again cites the Isaiah 1:18 motivation of cleansing sinners through punishment Marc realizes the same quote is from Reuben Davis’ eulogy.... “Thou shalt honor thy father” Page16 “I have become as a God to mete out justice in the name of the Creator” Page 17 “For the suffering Zohar inflicts upon your body, your soul will be redeemed.” Connected to concepts of Gehenna, of suffering to redeem a soul Zohar either psychically moves or materializes stained glass ark that he shatters over Marc Wishes to continue, lest the ignorant learn the names of God Page 18 Mr. Weiss giving a lecture on Kabbalah Pointing to an image of the sefirotic tree behind him Writes גדולה in place of חסד or רחמים A: this allows for direct parallel with גבורה B: I Chronicles 29:11 - lecha Adonai hagedulah... “It is a fundamental belief among Kabbalists that the Tetragrammaton and other secret names of God are the most powerful tools for conjuring occult forces and commanding nature itself.” Marlene thinks she hasn’t been this fascinated since first learning hieroglyphics How does this relate to the tension of the very Jewish Moon Knight being in service to the Egyptian God? Jewish slaves in Egypt Word Balloon Podcast May 1, 2017, Dan Slott Part 2 Talks Secret Empire Silver Surfer Silk’s Origin 31:05-32:02 - “It took until Moon Knight...when you think about it, is the worst Jewish character” Page 19 Zohar attacks the seminary students who fight back Zohar keeps citing verses Seems to cite Proverbs 10:6, 10:8 “Violence filleth the mouth of the wicked, but the prating fool shall fall” Page 24 MK uses a mirror to reflect a blast back at Zohar Page 25 “Father of my soul, I, who have slain the evil son of your loins, call thee up against this stranger… with the charmed vowels of the Tetragrammaton, KELSHADDAY” El Shadday is not Tetragrammaton. IS a name of God But I LOVE that he write KEL Suddenly Elias Spector’s corpse rises up Page 26 Elias goes to choke his son Marc thinks he’ll die before laying hands on his father again Asks dad for forgiveness Page 27 Marlene runs in, erases the aleph Elias starts to fall Page 28 Marc mentions feeling like a new person Seems like a play on multiple identities But also a possibility that Zohar was victorious in redeeming him? Has he performed teshuva? Hilchot Teshuva 2:4 Among the paths of repentance is for the penitent ...to change his name, as if to say "I am a different person and not the same one who sinned;" מִדַּרְכֵי הַתְּשׁוּבָה...וּמְשַׁנֶּה שְׁמוֹ כְּלוֹמַר אֲנִי אַחֵר וְאֵינִי אוֹתוֹ הָאִישׁ שֶׁעָשָׂה אוֹתָן הַמַּעֲשִׂים

Episode 10 - Moon Knight - Part 2

Moon Knight (1980) #37 Published: May 01, 1984 Writer: Alan Zelenetz Penciler: Bo Hampton Cover Artist: Michael Kaluta At long last…the secret history of Marc Spector’s father! Plus, a reveal at the end of this issue that will leave you gob smacked! Follow along with the issue with this link - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1553840064739605&type=3&xts%5B0%5D=68.ARC3Ofk02NJ2Jk0nAt5aN6gygCRYKw8IZpuu68P6DK61oa7F3yg_zZpZULyycKgRn2sPhsMALjYJnSrNUJt5B8FztUeiTvrjGQ8cVaujAXmC_bHb8cM56skHPb7O4I28XTh9sOs0aD5Hg-8u3vhqcBzXmJJphRqDDTeojJHx5-QV-nrwcwIiSsF42jlnqhM8P8xBTXVtwDBz_8f-Y_dLTKrl3kt2_wICCokm3eN9IhUWW9I96MbPA4XR-rBMir4LUGK6xxFVVv25wF4WOM2BKqKXFqlmSWlBJzJuTAsvmkB_clhlN8w8X3qDWbI3Ip7AGVFnEiI_1AyBOSfIg5xAUuMeIPsj95Ab3fVfDgqiuJMfs1Y5shbkY5ZUxQHdOqlWTf3sOQNuD4LAEv5aZtWFOqSb4_KzVv21-BZhbcfKF6Cld8xperifbyG8PJaDBLASRJmmMjebXPxEk6biHl2wMkW0AQ&tn=-UC-R Writer Alan Zelenetz, before becoming a film producer, he was a junior high school principal at the Yeshiva of Flatbush, an Orthodox Jewish school in Brooklyn. One of the science teachers under his supervision was the father of Darren Aronofsky, director of Pi (1998). BRANDON'S NOTES: BB Notes on Moon Knight Episode History of Moon Knight - Brandon First Appearance: Werewolf by Night #32 (august 1975) Marc Spector - a marine-turned-mercenary left for dead in Egypt. Resurrected by the Egyptian God of the moon, Khonshu. Identities Start off as just guises, retconned into multiple personalities Dissociative Identity Disorder Steven Grant - wealthy Jake Lockley - a cab driver Allies Jean-Paul “Frenchie” DuChamp - pilot Marlene - longtime lover Brandon- Interview from Comic Foundry (Tim Leong), a conversation between Doug Moench and Charlie Huston (Moon Knight Volume 5, 2006-9) https://www.cbr.com/comic-book-legends-revealed-553/3/ Getting back to how much was accidental and incremental, the other thing is, I had a habit of naming characters in stories after friends, and it started spreading. And soon I had people coming to me saying, “When are you going to name a character after me?” So I used to go to Ed Summer’s comic shop, I think it was called Comic Snipe? Something Snipe. It was the best comic shop in Manhattan at the time. And one of the guys that worked there was Marc Spector. And he was saying, “When are you going to name a character after me?” So then I was trying to figure out this villain for “Werewolf by Night.” What am I going to call him? I’ll name him after Marc Spector. Then it turned out Marc Spector was Jewish. Ah, I guess this is a Jewish name. Well, I guess I just made up the first Jewish costumed hero. So maybe I should research some Judaism and stuff about the Mideast and Mossad and all this other stuff, and that’s where all that stuff came from. MOENCH: It was all an accident. I didn’t say, “I’m going to sit down and create a Jewish character.” The second series was Marc Spector: Moon Knight, initially written by Chuck Dixon. Dixon blogged in the 2000’s When I wrote Moon Knight over at Marvel I wanted to explore the fact that Marc Spector was Jewish. I was uncomfortable with the fact that a Jew wielded a power born of Egyptian myth. I wanted to deal with this in a storyline. My editor told me to ignore that aspect of his personality. And I was told this by an editor who is a Jew. Is there something in the mind of comics fandom and professionals that finds religion repugnant? Or are they simply avoiding the familiar? Moon Knight #37, May 1984 “Red Sins” Written by Alan Zelenetz Penciled by Bo Hampton Inked by Armando Gil Colored by Ben Sean Lettered by Joe Rosen Edited by Denny O’Neill RABBI Alan Zelentz Formerly principal of Torah and General Studies of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Middle School and principal of the Solomon Schechter High School of Brooklyn Currently Director of the Idea School Institute Page 1 - Rabbi dying in the hospital Page 3 - Balfus Hospital in Chicago! Made up hospital Page 5 Marc’s parents came to U.S. from Czechoslovakia after Hitler “Knew the Bible and Talmud by heart before he was fifteen, was ordained a rabbi at eighteen, and went on to become a brilliant scholar in the Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. In America, he was lucky just to be alive.” Grew up on the “poor side” of Chicago Father beaten up by a gang that carve swastika into his forehead Picture of young Marc in kippa “But why? Why were you a coward?” “God will punish them. We’ve enough red sins of our own to atone for. I leave justice to God.” Frequent critique levied against rabbinic Jews. Is Moon Knight a Zionist “New Jew”? Page 6 Appointment to the faculty of the theological seminary, wants Marc to enroll Have they gone to JTS? Or does this mean Chicago? Likely a reference to the Hebrew Theological College, aka “Skokie Yeshiva” (est. 1921) Moved to Skokie in 1958 from North Lawndale Father discovers his son has taken up boxing. Discovers him, tries to talk him out of it Page 7 Marc punches his own father in the ring “You want to be an animal, go -- be an animal. But not in my house, not with my blessing, never as my son.” Pirkei Avot 2:5 - Hillel would say וּבְמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין אֲנָשִׁים, הִשְׁתַּדֵּל לִהְיוֹת אִישׁ: Page 8 Marlene tries to convince Steve to make amends Moon Knight patrols the Lower East Side where his aunt used to live Page 9 A synagogue is burning! Top two panels show a beautifully drawn shul Fairly generic, might be Kehila Kedosha Janina A man in a green kippa ran into building to save a Torah scroll Moon Knight: “The five books of Moses. He put his life on the line for this.” Page 10 Reflects his father would have also risked his life to save a Torah, but wouldn’t put up a fight Painted swastika on the door Moon Knight’s off to hunt some Nazis…. Page 12 “It’s not enough to leave justice to God’s sweet time.” Page 13-14 Moon Knight confronting the hatemongers “This here’s private property--” “So’s the synagogue you turned into a flaming Holocaust, you rotten son of a pig!” “Hey, what’s a Jew church to you?” As Moon Knight holds a guy out the window by his ankles: “I belong with the persecuted.” Page 16 Moon Knight was especially violent. Detective says he woulda charged cops with police brutality I wonder why MK is so upset in this situation… First glimpse into his Jewish identity This gets him to book tickets to Chicago Page 17 Marc gets back in time for his father’s funeral It’s so quick! Kavod hamet Marlene and Marc walking in, no gender separation though the physicality reads Orthodox A man approaches Marc with a kippa in hand “Excuse me, sir, would you mind covering your head?” Rabbi Elias Spector “To pay final tribute to rabbi Elias Spector, of sainted memory, who has been called from among us this day...that his eternal soul might bask in the heavenly glory of God” So Christian sounding in English Likely said zecher tzadik livracha Page 18 Eulogy delivered over image of Rabbi Spector pouring over Hebrew books One has on the cover ליער “In his religious and mystical studies, Elias Spector struggled for the knowledge to see beyond the physical, to know the universe as a reflection of the Divine Image... and to see mankind redeemed as is written in the visions of Isaiah -- Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 I learned in school the importance of checking surrounding verses of a prooftext Isaiah 1:15-17 And when you lift up your hands, I will turn My eyes away from you; Though you pray at length, I will not listen. Your hands are stained with crime—Wash yourselves clean; Put your evil doings Away from My sight. Cease to do evil; Learn to do good. Devote yourselves to justice; Aid the wronged. Uphold the rights of the orphan; Defend the cause of the widow.Surrounding verses are pretty awesome Then goes into Psalm 23 Page 19 Meet the Rabbi, Reuben Davis - a student of Rabbi Spector’s Marc has been separated 18 years - significant? Page 20 Marc goes to visit his father’s grave, discovers a vandal spraypainting a swastika Page 22 A thug LIFTS A JEWISH GRAVESTONE FROM THE GROUND Marc and Marlene defeat the punks Discover someone paid them to desecrate the graves… And that father’s grave is empty Page 23 We see a hooded figure in purple robes, who looks like a purple KKK member Over the casket of Rabbi Spector

Episode 9 - Moon Knight - Part 1

TRIGGER WARNING - Please note, in this episode we discuss the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh, PA along with a few other instances of hate crimes perpetrated towards Jews. In this episode we complete our exploration of the VERY Jewish RAGMAN! Batman #551, 1998 “Suit of Evil Souls” Written by Doug Moench Drawn by Kelley Jones Inked by John Beatty Colored by Gregory Wright and Android Images Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dennis O'Neil and Jordan B. Gorfinkel Batman #552, 1998 “The Greatest Evil” Written by Doug Moench Drawn by Kelley Jones Inked by John Beatty Colored by Gregory Wright and Android Images Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dennis O'Neil and Jordan B. Gorfinkel Ragman: Suit of Souls #1, Dec 2010 “Tattered Remnants” Written by Christos Gage Drawn and inked by Stephen Segovia Colored by David Curiel Lettered by Rob Leigh Edited by Joey Cavalieri and Chris Conroy Shadowpact #8, 2018 “Ragtime” Written by Bill Willingham Drawn by Shawn McManus Inked by Raul Fernandez Colored by Mike Atiyeh Lettered by Pat Brosseau Edited by Joey Cavalieri BRANDON'S NOTES: Batman #551, 1998 “Suit of Evil Souls” Written by Doug Moench Drawn by Kelley Jones Inked by John Beatty Colored by Gregory Wright and Android Images Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dennis O'Neil and Jordan B. Gorfinkel Page 2 Batman hunts Hitler Youth swastika tattooed man Member of the Aryan Reich "You murdered Benjamin Mizrahi! Half the Congregation of Temple Beth Israel saw you!... why did you hate him?" "He was a Jew! And Jews take over everything-- even this stinkin' slum!" Temple Beth Israel There's an M.O. Congregation Beth Israel West Side Jewish Center at 34th and 9th Ave (1925 built current building - Hell's Kitchen!) There's Temple Beth Israel in Port Washington, NY (Nassau county Long Island, Conservative, building opened in 1960) How satisfying to see Batman beat up Neo Nazis Page 4 Jewish cemetery Page 5-6 Rory Regan meets the victim's rabbi, Isaac Ben Luria Rory is wearing a kippa! A shooting on "the Sabbath" outside the synagogue ...oy, Pittsburgh, Poway Humboldt Street Synagogue in Halle, Germany Someone throws a brick through the shul window Page 11 "A new shred of the Ragman… forever bonded by a protective shem." Emet written in wrong direction (top to bottom, tav first) Page 12 Radio interview between Vesper Fairchild and Dr. David Levy on anti-semitism Diaspora I guess that's one word for the exiles Lachrymose Conception of Jewish History - Salo Baron, 20th Century historian, taught at Columbia University, opposed this concept Should have ended with the creation of modern Israel Seems to be a summary of the thought behind Zionism. That if Jews became like the rest of the world… Page 13 "The scriptures speak of a 'dispersion of divine light' throughout the universe -- and this has been interpreted, on a human level, as the purpose behind the constant wandering of the Jews… dispersing and disseminating the truth of God throughout the world." Seems to be a possible reading of Lurianic Kabbalah, in which mitzvot help restore shattered vessels Carl Friedman's 1993 novel, The Shovel and the Loom. Character Chaya studies Luria "With the dispersion of the divine light began the Diaspora of the Jews, whose task it was to gather the stray sparks and in that way restore the cosmos to its former perfection… Under the influence of Luria, the Diaspora became a positive force, the condition for, as well as introduction to, Olam HaBa, the World to Come. The person of the Messiah became less important. The crucial thing was to prepare the way." Light unto the nations? Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have called unto you in righteousness, and have taken hold of your hand, and submitted you as the people's covenant, as a light unto the nations Mentions xenophobia, how kashrut may be to discourage socialization with other peoples Page 14 Vesper asks if that means Jews are also xenophobic Dr. Levy says the traditions derive from God's law Page 15 Review of golem, meaning "body without soul" Kind of…it's inchoate form, mass without animating force Review of Ragman mini Page 18 "Know that we shall seek God together- through piety and prayer, humility... and love. Batman #552, 1998 “The Greatest Evil” Written by Doug Moench Drawn by Kelley Jones Inked by John Beatty Colored by Gregory Wright and Android Images Lettered by Todd Klein Edited by Dennis O'Neil and Jordan B. Gorfinkel Page 6 Aryan Reich attacks Rabbi Luria, "and this ain't Israel! Rabbi Luria is unphased, claiming no fear or hate Claims Jews tricked America into joining the wrong side, "but America's changed, Jew, and now you're" Terrifyingly relevant Page 7 Rory asks rabbi to use fire from a menorah come on, Rory Page 8 "It is said that the sound of smashing glass chases away demons and evil spirits!" wedding Rosh Hashanah 16b - why blow the shofar? To confuse Satan Chullin 105b - Rav Ashi uses horns to excommunicate a demon (מזיקין) Page 9 A single will of righteousness to overcome the evil souls Feels very Sodom or zadok Page 10 "You must use the power of evil to do good… think and feel before you act." Very rabbinic. Kovesh et yitzro Yoma 69b - rabbis capture the evil inclination and find nobody possesses a sex drive anymore Idea is even base inclinations can be ok if guided to holy purpose "But...how can I not hate evil? " "By loving God more." Proverbs 8:13 יִֽרְאַ֣ת יְהוָה֮ שְֽׂנֹ֫את רָ֥ע גֵּ֘אָ֤ה וְגָא֨וֹן ׀ וְדֶ֣רֶךְ רָ֭ע וּפִ֨י תַהְפֻּכ֬וֹת שָׂנֵֽאתִי׃ To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, And duplicity in speech. Psalm 97:10 אֹהֲבֵ֥י ה שִׂנְא֫וּ רָ֥ע שֹׁ֭מֵר נַפְשׁ֣וֹת חֲסִידָ֑יו מִיַּ֥ד רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יַצִּילֵֽם׃ O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He guards the lives of His loyal ones, saving them from the hand of the wicked. א֭וֹר זָרֻ֣עַ לַצַּדִּ֑יק וּֽלְיִשְׁרֵי־לֵ֥ב שִׂמְחָֽה׃ Light is sown for the righteous, radiance for the upright. Makhloket in Judaism Page 12 Explanation of Kabbalah "Thirty-Two Paths to Wisdom" From 32 mentions of Elohim in Genesis 1 "It was developed in the thirteenth century as ecstatic contemplation of Ezekial's vision - a chariot believed to be God's 'throne'...and it espouses mixed doctrine that man himself embodies the universe and all its mysteries." Mixes it up with chariot mysticism - yordei merkavah Bits of Shiur Komach 13th century, yes. Though it strikes me this rabbi would claim earlier Connects Kabbalah to Hasidism, all accurate "The entire universe- taken together- is God, and man is made in God's image. Man is therefore a miniature embodiment of the universe." Links to Adam HaRishon as giant, cosmic, essentially all Refers to God as being in everything Amazing page Page 13 "Seek and find God everywhere, even in evil--and evil's power will wither before God" Very Rav Nachman nekudah tovah. Likutei Moharan 282:1, quoting Psalm 37:10 וְעוֹד מְעַט וְאֵין רָשָׁע וְהִתְבּוֹנַנְתָּ עַל מְקוֹמוֹ וְאֵינֶנּוּ Why the fuck are they praying on their knees?! Page 18 Rabbi reminds Rory of command not to kill, then gets shot Page 19 Take vengeance, but within the law Din within strict bounds, tempered by love and chesed Ragman: Suit of Souls, Dec 2010 “Tattered Remnants” Written by Chritos Gage Drawn and inked by Stephen Segovia Colored by David Curiel Lettered by Rob Leigh Edited by Joey Cavalieri and Chris Conroy Page 1 Rory visits Rabbi Mandel “I had a question..I read about this guy, in the sixties, a grand dragon of the Ku Klux Klan. The New York Times revealed he was actually Jewish. He killed himself because he couldn’t live with people knowing. Rabbi, how does someone hate himself so much?” Daniel Burros Former member of American Nazi Party Recruiter for the United Klans of America Most violent group at time John McCandlish Phillips revealed Burros’ Jewish background in New York Times article Hours after the article, Burros shoots himself in chest and head While listening to Richard Wagner Self-hating Jew Rory worries father was self-hating Jew because he grew up without Judaism in house Page 3 “I didn’t even know I was Jewish until I was sixteen. My father gave me an Irish name, after some actor he liked. What kind of father doesn’t tell his son where he came from?” Rehashes entire 1991 mini Page 11 Rabbi notes Ragman left a day before the uprising ended. “Why did he leave when there was still a chance more could be saved?” “DON’T YOU THINK I’VE ASKED MYSELF THAT?” Page 17 “Since I’ve worn this suit, my faith and my heritage have become very important to me. I wish I’d known about them earlier in my life.” YES “Rabbi Mandel, my father was a good man, a proud man. He wasn’t ashamed of being a junkman, or poor, or old..so why was he ashamed of being a Jew?” Rabbi suggests Rory speak to a soul in the suit who knew his father Page 19 Jaegar Brandt reveals the fire would have destroyed all the trapped souls They overtook Jerry and forced him to leave He would have stayed to fight Page 20 Gerry never knew they could do that, he thought he was just a coward “He changed his name to Gerry Regan telling himself it would be easier to find work that way. He put aside his religion, his past, telling himself it was to spare his family from anti-semitism. But the truth is that he was ashamed, not of who he was, of what he thought he’d done. He was the protector of his people, yet, at the moment of their great need, he fled. Your father wasn’t ashamed to call himself a Jew. He didn’t feel worthy.” Page 21 Brandt fades, he found redemption in telling story Shadowpact #8, 2007 “Ragtime” Written by Bill Willingham Drawn by Shawn McManus Inked by Raul Fernandez Colored by Mike Atiyeh Lettered by Pat Brosseau Edited by Joey Cavalieri Willingham not Jewish, but fan of Israel Page 4 "Why is ours the only ethnicity where the correct term for us is also the most popular pejorative used against us?" Originally Reganiwiecz (Polish?) Page 5 Changed to Irish name Get into American dream Didn't realize Irish weren't accepted Clever retcon to keep things smooth Except...now his father can't have been in Warsaw Ghetto Rory is inside his rags, getting beaten by evil souls until a Marcus Liberius comes to him Page 14 Mention his death at the siege of Masada Martyrdom Before it was rags, there was a cloak, a spear, a dagger Stretches back to days of Abraham Magical Jewish weapon. Moses' coat? Or Judah's? Reminds me of Noah, where Noah wears tefillin made of snakeskin page 15 Judgment resembles Gehenna Redemption engine Teshuva like

Episode 8 - Ragman - Part 2 (with TRIGGER WARNING)

Arrow Season 5 Arrow S5E2 “Recruits” 34:40, 7:58 left Rory mentions father saved his life with rags from the time of Devarim (bad pronunciation) Thank you to https://twitter.com/EstherK of https://www.facebook.com/TVGoneJewy/ for this one: Arrow S5E7 “Vigilante” 3:10 min in 39:15 left Ollie asks Rory if a quote is from the Torah (it’s Moby Dick) Arrow S5E8 “Invasion” 36:22 in Realize Dominators language is decodable through gematria Explains Gematria Arrow S5E10 “Who Are You?” 11:17 min 31:05 left Rory calls Prometheus a Dybbuk Arrow SE11 “Second Chances 5:10 in, 37:05 left Rory explains what bashert means Arrow S5E12 “Bratva” 32:50 9:33 left Recites shema while covering a nuclear bomb

BONUS EPISODE - Ragman on CW's Arrow

Episode 7: 1991 mini and Arrow episodes (maybe Suit of Souls) Episode 8: Batman two-parter, Shadowpact #8 Henry - Excerpted from p. 124, From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books by Arie Kaplan “Rory Regan, a character [Robert] Kanigher and [Joe] Kubert created in 1976. A Batman-style vigilante who operated out of Gotham City and wore a dilapidated costume made of the rags from the junk shop he shared with his dad, Ragman first appeared in five issues of his own short-lived series in 1976-1977. Appropriately enough for a character dressed in rags, Ragman fought crime in the ghetto, and his targets were often average gangsters and hoods rather than supervillains. This gave Ragman the air of a social crusader, not unlike Siegel’s and Shuster’s early Superman stories.” Originally Irish - Rory Regan 1991 series, he was reimagined as a Jewish character Brandon 16th Century Edict limiting Jews to work ragpicking That same section in From Krakow to Krypton weirdly claims The decision to make the character Jewish was a mutual one. “We created him with a Jewish heritage, although we didn’t make a big to-do about it,” said Kubert. Interview with Pat Broderick Joe Kubert discusses Ragman as Jewish from the start (not Irish) in From Krakow to Krypton Ragman 1991 mini series three or four panels from issue 1 two things from issue 2 a lot in issue 3 one Jewish thing from issue 8 issue 1, page 11 starts the word Emet, pages 12-13 show the Golem and Emet in Warsaw and page 15 has him placing a stone on his father's grave issue 2, page 16 has a sentence "true repentance requires acknowledgment of the sin," pages 23-24 have golem and the rabbi showing up Issue 3 - whole issue issue 6 has the Golem fight page 1. the 42 thing issue 7, page 3 has the lady offering to cook spam for the rabbi - spam ain't kosher and in issue 8, page 4, we have the rabbi heading to Tel Aviv Ragman #3, Dec 1991 “The Folktale” Plot and Breakdowns by Keith Giffen Scripted by Robert Loren Fleming Art by Pat Broderick Colored by Anthony Tollin Lettered by Albert Deguzman Edited by Kevin Dooley and Andrew Helfer Ragman #6, March 1992 “Shreds” Plot and Breakdowns by Keith Giffen Scripted by Robert Loren Fleming Art by Pat Broderick Colored by Anthony Tollin Lettered by Albert Deguzman Edited by Kevin Dooley and Andrew Helfer

Episode 7 - Ragman - Part 1

Previously on Funny, They Don’t Look Jewish Your hosts, Brandon and Henry, explored the Jewish roots of Chicago’s own mutant superheroine, Kitty Pryde of the X-Men. Under the pen of creator and writer Chris Claremont, Kitty Pryde confronted demons, vampires, and the shadow of the Holocaust, with her Jewish identity always prominent. Now, we look at where later writers guided both the evolution of Marvel’s Merry Mutants and Kitty Pryde’s own Judaism. Excelsior! Marvel Holiday Special 1996 “Unto Others” Written by Evan Skolnik Drawn by Josh Hood Inked by Derek Fisher Lettered by Jack Morelli Colored by Chi Wang Edited by Tom Brevoort Page 1 Open on Kitty visiting her home in Deerfield, IL, staring at a church that has been burned Page 2-3 Phasing into the ruins, Kitty runs into a young girl of color, Anita Foster She left her locket in the pew before the burning, a gift from her now dead father Page 4 Kitty says she came home to spend Hanukkah with her family Anita says her mom said church was burned down because they’re black Kitty makes general statement about people who hate what’s different Anita says, “But you don’t really understand, anyway. You’re not black!” Page 5 Kitty tempted to say she knows about being different because she’s a mutant, but decides to say a Jew instead Anita: “Right. Same thing. Not.” Kitty: “Actually, A nita, this whole thing sounds a lot like the Hanukkah story itself.” Anita: “Whaddaya mean? The Jews burned churches?” Kitty explains the story of Hanukkah, saying Syrian Greeks drove Jews out of Israel and desecrated the Temple. Page 6 Anita: “Nice. Sounds like people have been burning each other’s temples for a long time, huh?” OUCH Kitty: “Underneath our skin, beyond all our differences, languages and customs, we’re all the same. Blacks, whites, Jews, Asians, mutants…” Anita seems to think mutants aren’t human Page 7 Anita finds the locket, but she can’t reach through the fallen beams. Kitty could phase, but… Page 8 She reminds Anita what she said about all being human. Phases through the beams, giving away her secret, and recovers the locket. Page 9 The two hug in tears “Merry Christmas, Anita. And happy Hanukkah.” Couldn’t find anything about a church burning in IL in the mid-90’s, but… More than 30 black churches were burned in an 18-month period in 1995 and 1996, leading Congress to pass the Church Arson Prevention Act, passed July 3, 1996 Professor Julius Lester, a Jew of color, said in a 1996 with the J, “Jews make the assumption that they have a lot in common with blacks. It's not an assumption that blacks share," X-Men Unlimited #38 (November 2002) “Yartzeit” Written by Greg Rucka Drawn by Darick Robertson Inked by Darick Robertson Colored by J.D. Smith Lettered by Randy Gentile Edited by C.B. Cebulski The issue is told through the narrative device of a yartzeit. Opens with Kitty lighting the candle, goes through the entire day, repeatedly checking back in to see how far the candle has burned Background: Colossus died in UXM #390 (March 2001) to cure the Legacy Virus, that took the life of his younger sister, Illyana. Kitty was best friends with Illyana, former lovers with Peter Page 2 Full page spread of Kitty, in an XAVIER t-shirt, lighting a yartzeit candle, noting it’s one year to the day since Colossus died Blue candle with a star of David on the glass Yartzeit is Yiddish for, depending on how you translate, “time of year” or “a year’s time” Page 3 After lighting, Kitty recites: “Sustained by words of faith, comforted by precious memories, we kindle the yartzeit light in remembrance. The human spirit is the light of the Lord. As this light burns pure and clear, so may the memory of the goodness...and...and the nobility of our dear Peter...our dear Peter Nikolievitch Rasputin...illumine our souls...Zichrono livracha. His memory is a blessing.” Then Kitty collapses onto her bed in tears No formal prayer associated with lighting the candle, but this particular reading can be found in Reform books published by the CCAR Jdoe Schwartz: Apparently it first appeared in 1977 in "Gates of the House: The New Union Home Prayer Book - Prayers and Readings for Home and Synagogue" edited by. . . Chaim Stern. Ding ding ding. Includes Proverbs 20:27 - ner HaShem Nishmat Adam, chofes kol chadrei-vaten - the soul of man is the light/candle of God, searching all the innermost parts. Textual source of lighting a candle Zichrono livracha - traditional honorific for the dead How can it be that reading two simple words in print can bring up so many emotions for me? Pride and amazement and a deep, deep sadness. I’ve cried every time I’ve read this issues Page 4 As Kitty leaves home, she admits she’s lied to herself when she claimed she had come to peace with it So very resonant. Jewish mourning process is divided into parts. Shiva, shloshim, the first year. Yartzeit marks the end, and it would seem that should mark a point of closure and healing. Kitty is angry Page 5 “Selfish, that’s what it is. I just want him back. Why is that wrong? To feel that? I just want my friend back. I just want my love back. God, I loved him and I want him back…” There go the tears again… Page 6 She sees a man she thinks is Peter, provides the plot for the rest of the issue as Kitty stalks this man, convinced an enemy has resurrected Colossus to mess with her. Pages 9-10 Phone call with Kurt, a yartzeit candle prominent at the top of each page Kurt wonders if Kitty is imagining it, given the anniversary, given Peter is on her mind The candle...yizkor. REMEMBER Page 11 Top left: The candle is going out Narration: “The candle is supposed to burn for twenty-four hours. I burn for longer.” Bottom right: the candle has gone out entirely. Dark, covered in shadow, but smoke still rising’ Page 12 Top left: the candle fully empty, reflecting bright light’ Page 16 Nightcrawler has come to visit her. As she brings him into the apartment, the yartzeit candle is prominent Pages 17-18 Kurt, a priest btw, talks Kitty down. Helps her come to terms with the fact she desperately wanted it to be Peter Page 19 Top left, empty yartzeit candle Top middle, Kitty is grabbing it Top right, Kitty throws the case in the trash Then see Kitty cleaning up, writing Kurt note, living a good day “Maybe the answer to all grief lies in a good cry. Religion and ritual, there’s always a reason. Grief in Judaism is broken into phases, and the Yartzeit is really the last one. There are rules what you’re supposed to do the first day after a loved one dies...then the first week...then the first month...all the way to the first year, the first Yartzeit.” “The idea, I guess, is that it’s supposed to take that whole year to come to terms with the loss. So the Yartzeit, it’s closure, ut it’s more. Because when someone you love dies, it never goes away. Some days are easier than others. Some days maybe you can’t think about it at all...but it never goes away. And that’s all right. That’s as it should be..” Thank you. Thank you, Greg Rucka, for writing this. This is one of the most special comics I think I’ve ever read. Page 21-22 Kitty introduces herself to the officer, a Polish cop. Tells him about Peter. Candle appeared in 16 different panels All New X-Men #13 (2013) Untitled Written by Brian MIchael Bendis Drawn by Stuart Immonen Inked by Wade von Grawbadger Colored by Rain Beredo Lettered by VC’s Cory Petit Edited by NIck Lowe Background So at this time, Rick Remender is writing a book called Uncanny Avengers, which features a “unity squad,” a team of both human Avengers AND mutant X-Men. Issue #5 (March 2013), Havok gives a speech I don't see myself as born into a mutant cult or religion. Having an X-gene doesn't bond me to anyone. It doesn't define me. In fact, I see the very word "mutant" as divisive. Old thinking that serves to further separate us from our fellow man. We are all humans. Of one tribe. We are defined by our choices, not the makeup of our genes. So please, don't call us mutants. The "m" word represents everything I hate. Unleashes a kind of backlash, both on online forums and within the comics In June, this issue of All-New X-Men is released Pages 7-8 Panels showing broadcast of Havok’s speech Page 12-13 X-Men hear the broadcast. Younger mutants have debate over whether or not the term is derogatory Page 14 “I don’t have a quote-unquote Jewish-sounding name. I don’t look or sound Jewish. Whatever that looks or sounds like...so if you didn’t know I was Jewish, you might not know...unless I told you. Same goes for my mutation. “...When I was 13, before my mutation kicked in, I was in love with this boy at school… “In love. And I followed him around like a puppy dog because I was an idiotic 13-year-old girl...and one day he saw a rabbi walking across the street and he made the worst anti-semitic comment...ever. I won’t even repeat it. “He just said this awful thing and laughed. Laughed and laughed. And...and my heart sank. And then my blood boiled. I mean boiled. I turned to him and I growled: I’m Jewish!” And he--just stared at me like he didn’t even realize he said something wrong. Or he didn’t know how to compute what I just said. But when I got home, after I was done crying my eyes out, my first heartbreak...I realized I was..maybe for the first time ever...I was really proud of myself. “I am Jewish. I am a mutant. And I want people to know who and what I am. I tell people because, hey, if we’re going to have a problem with it...I’d like to know. So, no offense to your brother Scott, but he sure as hell ain’t talking for me.” UGH, SO GOOD. SO GOOD. Let’s break it down… First of all, this is just so Bendis. More convinced than ever that the explicit Jewish content depends on the Jewish...pride of the author. Bendis and Rucka are both quite outspoken about their identities. Claremont’s Judaism is Holocaust-centric. Rucka’s is ritually based. And Bendis’ seems to be cultural, built on pride. Bendis manages to both acknowledge Jews passing for white AND the fact it’s kind of a problem to assume there’s a certain Jewish look Kitty doesn’t have a Jewish sounding name, whatever that means. Or a Jewish look, whatever that is. Implicit acknowledgment of Sefardi Jews, Mizrahi Jews, Jews of color, any type of Jew that doesn’t look Ashkenazi, which is what Americans envision as JEWISH And yet Kitty acknowledges this allows her to “pass” Crushes on random kids in school who weren’t Jewish - oh yeah I remember first year of college, I was absolutely smitten with a baptist Korean girl. So much so, I went to a Jesus festival for her Anti-semitic remarks at that age This HAD to be based on a true story. HAD to be The kid who threatened to beat me up? I was proud of myself Is THAT why she so prominently wears the star from issue 1??? Such a good retcon Of course, she’s NOT wearing the star of David here She wants people to know In an era of rising anti-semitism, where I read travel warnings saying not to wear yarmulkes in X city or Y city...I’m with Kitty. I wear this proudly.

Episode 6 - Kitty Pryde - Part 2

“Where Judaism appears in the panels.” Our purpose is to find characters, stories and issues of comics that explore explicitly Jewish content. This includes, stories that contain quotes from Jewish texts/liturgy, characters that embrace openly their heritage. Characters using Hebrew, praying in a synagogue, celebrating Jewish holidays, and living a Jewish experience.

hubhopper

Funny, They Don't Look Jewish!

hubhopper