Art Spiegelman is a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, editor, and advocate for comics as a serious literary art form. He is best known for Maus, his groundbreaking graphic memoir that recounts his father’s experiences during the Holocaust, portraying Jews as mice and Nazis as cats. Originally serialized in RAW magazine and later collected in two volumes, Maus became the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize, solidifying Spiegelman’s place in literary and comics history.

Spiegelman began his career in the underground comix scene of the 1960s and 1970s, contributing to titles like Witzend and Short Order Comix. In 1980, he co-founded RAW, a high-art comics anthology that introduced American audiences to avant-garde and international cartoonists. Through RAW and his own work, he helped shape the alternative comics movement and elevate the cultural perception of the medium.

In addition to Maus, Spiegelman’s work includes In the Shadow of No Towers, a deeply personal reflection on the September 11 attacks, and numerous essays and illustrations examining art, memory, and identity. His style combines intellectual rigor with emotional depth, often challenging readers to reconsider the boundaries of comics and literature.

Spiegelman continues to be a vocal advocate for free expression and the importance of comics in cultural discourse. His influence is felt across generations of creators, and his work remains a cornerstone of graphic narrative.

Photo credit: Art Spiegelman by Nadja Spiegelman