Name: Art Spiegelman
Alias:
Affiliation: The Smokers Club
Bio: As seen in the graphic novel Maus, as well as in various other works like In The Shadow of No Towers, Spiegelman depicts the comic book version of himself as neurotic, thoughtful, and witty. And he even has a “costume” of sorts – his ever-present black vest.
Strength: In trying to reconnect with his estranged Holocaust survivor father, Vladek, Spiegelman showed an admirable strength of character.
Weakness: Cigarettes. (See also Ben Grimm; what's up with the Jewish smokers? Don’t they know that stuff’s bad for you?)
Exemplary Jewish Value:Honoring the dead. Art Spiegelman has brought new attention to the field of Holocaust scholarship, and he’s made the subject relatable to younger generations.
Real World Organizational Match: US Holocasut Memorial Museum
Biblical Validation: When the men of Ashdod, in an attempt to protect themselves, made copper vessels on which to sit, a mouse would say to the vessel, “We are the emissaries of Him who spoke and the world came into being, and you are one of his creatures. Give honor to Him who created you.” (Yalkut Shimoni, Samuel 1 5:6, para.103)
Maus II: Spiegelman's seminal pulitzer prize winning graphic novel
The Wild Party