Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Jewish values, culture in classic comic books
Click image to enlarge
|
Reviewed by ALAN SMASON, Staff Reporter
Up, Up, and Oy Vey!: How Jewish History, Cutlure, and Values Shaped the Comic Book Superhero. By Simcha Weinstein. Leviathan Press. Baltimore, Md. 150 pp. $19.95.
With all the movie hoopla about this year's "Superman Returns,” last year's "Batman Begins,” and next year's eagerly-anticipated "Spider-Man 3” (partially shot in downtown Cleveland), I confess that I, too, have been caught up in the maelstrom of interest in classic comic books.
As a kid, I was partial to Marvel Comics and their stable of superheroes with real human frailties like Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and Ben Grimm (The Thing). Yet, I always had more than a pasing admiration for DC Comics's Superman and Batman.
So, I was keenly interested in reading Simcha Weinstein's recently released Up, Up, and Oy Vey!, a survey of how Jewish values, culture and ethics continually surfaced in the comic books of yesteryear.
Weinstein reveals that he once led a Clark Kent-like existence himself, growing up in Manchester, England, as a secular Jew with the first name of Simon. Following college, Weinstein's rekindled interest in Judaism brought him to yeshiva and to Israel.
Reborn as an observant Jew, the re-named "Simcha” was transformed. He married, moved to New York, and began work as a Chabad Lubavitcher rabbi. Yet, his general interest in popular culture and, particularly, that of comics never waned. This book is an outgrowth of both his love of comics and his love of Judaism; it combines the two in a caring and informative fashion.
Weinstein's homage salutes comic book creators like Clevelanders Jerry Siegel and Joel Shuster of Superman fame. Along with others, he spotlights Batman creators Bob Kane (né Kahn) and Bill Finger; Captain America scribe Jack Kirby (né Jacob Kurzberg); Marvel Comics' most creative talent Stan Lee (né Stanley Martin Leiber), and the Spirit's creator Will Eisner.
Others have noted these Jewish comic book innovators before. But, unlike others who have plumbed this topic, Weinstein links his passionate practice of Judaism to many of the origins of the classic comic book superheroes. He offers insight into their characters through a Jewish perspective.
Weinstein makes his case by finding Jewish ethics and values in these superheroes, while also listing Jewish fears and apprehensions. For example, when does vigilantism become justice? Weinstein explores this issue by illustrating the story of Pinchas, who took the law into his hands, yet received the highest praise for an act of murder.
As for Siegel and Shuster, the sons of Jewish immigrants, Weinstein chronicles the development of what arguably became the greatest comic book franchise ever.
Kal-El, the Hebrew name for Superman on his home planet of Krypton has "Jewish underpinings,” he explains. The name "El” is one of the ancient Hebrew words for God used throughout the Bible. Additionally, he writes that the prefix "Kal” is the root of several Hebrew words meaning "with lightness,” "swiftness,” "vessel,” and "voice.” The character's name could not be more apt.
Weinstein uses his extensive knowledge of Talmud and the Bible to find common Jewish themes and legends between religious figures and superheroes. The mythical Golem is compared to The Hulk, for example, while the biblical figure of David is linked to Spider-Man. The prophet Eliezar's power to travel in a flash is related to that of, well, the Flash.
For those of us looking for outwardly Jewish characters with whom to identify, Weinstein gives us Holocaust survivor Magneto and Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde) of "X-Men” fame as well as Ben Grimm of the "Fantastic Four” and Israeli superheroine Sabra.
Indeed, the Holocaust shapes much of Magneto's distrust of humanity. His thirst for vengeance leads him to serve as a double agent for Mossad (Israeli secret service) and the Central Intelligence Agency, capturing Nazi war criminals, but turning them over to Israel for prosecution.
Weinstein's treatise cuts to the heart of Jewish philosophy and ethics. The comic book's heyday of yesteryear may well have given way to the graphic novel of today, invented by the late Will Eisner. Up, Up, and Oy Vey!'s many spiritual lessons help us appreciate a deep Jewish connection to the comic book superhero and, therefore, to our own values, culture and traditions.
asmason@cjn.org
Up, Up, and Oy Vey!: How Jewish History, Cutlure, and Values Shaped the Comic Book Superhero. By Simcha Weinstein. Leviathan Press. Baltimore, Md. 150 pp. $19.95.
With all the movie hoopla about this year's "Superman Returns,” last year's "Batman Begins,” and next year's eagerly-anticipated "Spider-Man 3” (partially shot in downtown Cleveland), I confess that I, too, have been caught up in the maelstrom of interest in classic comic books.
As a kid, I was partial to Marvel Comics and their stable of superheroes with real human frailties like Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and Ben Grimm (The Thing). Yet, I always had more than a pasing admiration for DC Comics's Superman and Batman.
So, I was keenly interested in reading Simcha Weinstein's recently released Up, Up, and Oy Vey!, a survey of how Jewish values, culture and ethics continually surfaced in the comic books of yesteryear.
Weinstein reveals that he once led a Clark Kent-like existence himself, growing up in Manchester, England, as a secular Jew with the first name of Simon. Following college, Weinstein's rekindled interest in Judaism brought him to yeshiva and to Israel.
Reborn as an observant Jew, the re-named "Simcha” was transformed. He married, moved to New York, and began work as a Chabad Lubavitcher rabbi. Yet, his general interest in popular culture and, particularly, that of comics never waned. This book is an outgrowth of both his love of comics and his love of Judaism; it combines the two in a caring and informative fashion.
Weinstein's homage salutes comic book creators like Clevelanders Jerry Siegel and Joel Shuster of Superman fame. Along with others, he spotlights Batman creators Bob Kane (né Kahn) and Bill Finger; Captain America scribe Jack Kirby (né Jacob Kurzberg); Marvel Comics' most creative talent Stan Lee (né Stanley Martin Leiber), and the Spirit's creator Will Eisner.
Others have noted these Jewish comic book innovators before. But, unlike others who have plumbed this topic, Weinstein links his passionate practice of Judaism to many of the origins of the classic comic book superheroes. He offers insight into their characters through a Jewish perspective.
Weinstein makes his case by finding Jewish ethics and values in these superheroes, while also listing Jewish fears and apprehensions. For example, when does vigilantism become justice? Weinstein explores this issue by illustrating the story of Pinchas, who took the law into his hands, yet received the highest praise for an act of murder.
As for Siegel and Shuster, the sons of Jewish immigrants, Weinstein chronicles the development of what arguably became the greatest comic book franchise ever.
Kal-El, the Hebrew name for Superman on his home planet of Krypton has "Jewish underpinings,” he explains. The name "El” is one of the ancient Hebrew words for God used throughout the Bible. Additionally, he writes that the prefix "Kal” is the root of several Hebrew words meaning "with lightness,” "swiftness,” "vessel,” and "voice.” The character's name could not be more apt.
Weinstein uses his extensive knowledge of Talmud and the Bible to find common Jewish themes and legends between religious figures and superheroes. The mythical Golem is compared to The Hulk, for example, while the biblical figure of David is linked to Spider-Man. The prophet Eliezar's power to travel in a flash is related to that of, well, the Flash.
For those of us looking for outwardly Jewish characters with whom to identify, Weinstein gives us Holocaust survivor Magneto and Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde) of "X-Men” fame as well as Ben Grimm of the "Fantastic Four” and Israeli superheroine Sabra.
Indeed, the Holocaust shapes much of Magneto's distrust of humanity. His thirst for vengeance leads him to serve as a double agent for Mossad (Israeli secret service) and the Central Intelligence Agency, capturing Nazi war criminals, but turning them over to Israel for prosecution.
Weinstein's treatise cuts to the heart of Jewish philosophy and ethics. The comic book's heyday of yesteryear may well have given way to the graphic novel of today, invented by the late Will Eisner. Up, Up, and Oy Vey!'s many spiritual lessons help us appreciate a deep Jewish connection to the comic book superhero and, therefore, to our own values, culture and traditions.
asmason@cjn.org
 |
 |
|
| Music outshines politics in Ensemble's review | Columbus, can you hear me? Streisand comes to Ohio |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of clevelandjewishnews.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments. Registration is free.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
