Jewish Comics Experience (JewCE), hosted by the Jewish History Center, is the premier Jewish comics convention held at the Jewish History Center.
For fans and newbies alike, JewCE celebrates Jewish origins and influence in the comics industry. Through panels, workshops, and an exhibitor fair, JewCE promotes diverse Jewish narratives in comics, graphic novels, and sequential arts for readers of all ages.
The latest edition took place on November 10 at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan, and one of its protagonists was Arie Kaplan, a prominent historian and comic book creator.
In 2008, Kaplan published the book From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books, a fundamental work for understanding the Jewish roots of the comics industry. His most recent work, The Day I Became a Potato Pancake, mixes humor and cultural reflections in a story aimed at children.
At the convention, he explained how Jewish stories and characters have gained prominence in the comics world, moving from being an implicit influence to occupying a central place in narratives that address themes such as the Shoah.
Notable examples include Superman, who can be thought of as a modern-day Moses, and villains like Darkseid, whose aesthetic is reminiscent of a concentration camp.
Kaplan stressed the need to further diversify voices and perspectives within Jewish comics, and was optimistic about the future of the industry and grateful to be a part of it: “I’ve worked hard, but I’ve also had the support of a lot of people who gave me opportunities. I don’t take it for granted.”