Will Eisner

Born William Erwin Eisner to Jewish immigrant parents from Austria and Romania, Will Eisner didn't just create comics; he elevated them. From "The Spirit" to his pioneering work in graphic novels like "A Contract with God," he championed the medium as a legitimate art form capable of telling complex, adult stories. He literally wrote the book on sequential art, influencing generations of artists and writers.

While he didn't overtly feature Jewish themes in much of his early work, Eisner's later graphic novels, especially "A Contract with God" and "The Dreamer," delved deeply into the Jewish immigrant experience in the Bronx, pulling directly from his own background and observations. These works showcased his identity not just as a cartoonist, but as a chronicler of a specific, often overlooked, American Jewish story.

Eisner's impact is so profound that the most prestigious award in the comic book industry bears his name: the Eisner Award. So, yes, he’s Jewish, he’s celebrated, and frankly, he makes us all look good. Now go read "The Spirit."