February 5–12, 1998

critic pick|exhibition

Read it in the Funnies

The history of comics tells the history of America, says William H. Foster III. His personal collection, which contains pieces from as far back as the 1890s, follows the path this country has taken in its changing view of black Americans. His earliest newspaper strips and their portrayal of African Americans is just what he expects from comics drawn 100 years ago. "They're often racist," he says, "thick lips, bulbous noses, very, very dark skin—but that was the time … I have no agenda except to record this as history."

He says they signify just how far society has progressed. Currently an assistant professor of English and speech communication at Naugatuck Valley Community-Technical College in Waterbury, CT, he remembers buying his first comic at a corner newsstand growing up in West Philly.

"Positive images [of African Americans] really start appearing in '50s and '60s DC Comics," he says, "very much coinciding with the civil rights movement."

For Foster, those searching for undeniable proof that the comics industry is continuing to make progress in this area need look no further than Milestone Comics. Started in 1993, the DC Comics offshoot focused almost entirely on black superheroes and storylines. Unfortunately, due to dwindling readership and financial concerns, Milestone folded after four years. Nevertheless, the "terrific experiment," as Foster calls it, was a step in the right direction.

Where Foster's collection works like a mirror on history, Joe Szabo has assembled a display of cartoons that have actually helped bring about change—almost. "Well, not by themselves, but they certainly contribute," says Szabo.

His collection contains 41 political cartoons from 17 countries on five continents, marking the first time international political cartoons have been exhibited in the United States. A political cartoonist himself, the Hungarian-born Szabo, now a resident of North Wales, PA, is the creator of Wittyworld, a quarterly magazine which compiles political cartoons from the world over. After publishing it for the past 11 years and distributing to 103 countries, Szabo says he's ready to complete the magazine's transition from paper to the World Wide Web.

After 20-odd years in the business Szabo has learned a few things about the influence and importance of political cartoons. "A lot of societies and cultures are afraid of cartoons. Cartoonists have been punished, killed." Szabo cites examples: An Iranian cartoonist was sentenced to 10 years in prison for an unfavorable portrayal of the Ayatollah; a Saudi Arabian cartoonist was whipped for a cartoon questioning the existence of God; and an exhibition of political cartoons in the former Yugoslavia was actually blown up.

"Yes, cartoons do help bring about changes," he says. "That's what totalitarians cannot tolerate."

William H. Foster III's collectionis on display through the month of February at Temple University's Paley Library, 13th & Berks Sts., 204-8230. Joe Szabo's exhibition opens on Friday, Feb. 6 (gallery talk and opening reception from 6-7:30 p.m.), and runs thru Feb. 15, Allens Lane Arts Center, Allens Lane & McCallum Street, 248-0546.

-Patrick Rapa