A Graphic Novel by Kate Hannigan and Josh Rosen

I’m honestly tired of superhero comics (like most people these days), but I still love the medium of sequential art and graphic novels. As a result, I’m routinely on the lookout for other types of comic books to read. After visiting a couple of museums that had them in their gift shops, I’ve really come to love comics based on historical events because they educate as well as showcase gorgeous artwork and superb writing. You don’t see too many comics out there like History Comics – World War II – Fight on the Home Front, a book designed to teach youngsters about historical events in a fun and engaging way. It seems like most big comic publishers ignore the kid’s market entirely, catering to guys willing to buy ten covers of the same book, ignoring what could potentially be an entirely new fan base. As a result, I commend anyone releasing books like this. This is a single volume in a whole series of books released by a couple of different companies, with this particular one being published by First Second Books, a New York-based imprint of Macmillan Books that specializes in graphic novels.

“Turn back the clock with History Comics! In this volume, learn how millions of Americans joined the fight by working assembly lines, growing vegetables, and collecting scrap metal during World War II! When we think of war, we often focus on the battlefields. But during the war years of 1941 to 1945, Americans at home did whatever they could to support the troops and defeat the Nazis. While millions of soldiers ship out to fight on battlefronts in Europe and the Pacific, millions of men, women, and children step into new and exciting roles in cities and towns all across the United States. Four curious kids take us into factories, farms, and even kitchens to show what the fight on the home front looks like up close!”

This comic, above all else, attempts to showcase and highlight the multiple stories of how normal ordinary people handled the struggles and adversity brought on by the second World War. It delves into the lesser-known tales that often get overshadowed by the grandeur of major battles and well-documented events. In the forward of this comic, one such example is shared, involving two Young Nebraska Girls who, against all odds, single-handedly initiated a scrap metal drive in their neighborhood. Their determination and resourcefulness not only helped contribute significantly to the war effort but also earned them the status of local heroes. It is through stories like these that the true essence of war is revealed – the resilience, creativity, and inner strength of everyday individuals who rose to the occasion and made a difference.

While historians tend to focus on the big grandiose battles, often covering them extensively, it is these lesser-known stories that offer a fresh perspective on the human experience during times of conflict. In my opinion, the fascination with well-known historical events can overshadow the significance of the smaller, yet equally impactful, stories that deserve attention. This comic, with its focus on the “off the beaten path” narratives, provides a refreshing alternative for readers who seek a deeper understanding of history beyond the mainstream accounts.

These tales hold a unique charm and serve as a reminder that the impact of war is not limited to the tactical strategies or the number of casualties. Instead, it is the collective efforts of countless individuals, like the two young Nebraska girls, that shape the narrative and highlight the resilience of the human spirit. This book takes those ideas, of how normal citizens made a difference during wartime and really runs with it, showing all sides of the homefront during the war.

This comic has a framing narrative involving a group of children pretty much explaining to the audience how America entered the war during World War II. There’s a brief rundown about Pearl Harbor, Hitler declaring war on America, the American draft being initialized, and the sort of training that GIs got. After this, the book shifts to the home front describing staggering changes that happened in the United States during the war, including women entering the workforce, a teacher shortage, young boys dropping out of school to get jobs, lying about their age to join the military, and other drastic societal issues of the time. The book goes into things like victory gardens, scrap drives, war bonds, rationing and other interesting topics.

Despite being geared towards kids and seeming a bit patriotic, this book does not hold back on offering warranted criticism of how the United States handled certain sensitive topics during wartime. Namely, our country’s enduring tendency towards racism in all its various flavors. Not only did Black Americans suffer the hardships of being excluded from getting worthwhile work during this time, but most were nearly excluded from actually being able to fight in the war.

It was not until very late into the war that the government relented and allowed things like Black fighter pilots to be a thing in the US. This book sheds light on the struggles and discrimination faced by Black Americans in their pursuit of equality and recognition as valuable contributors to the war effort. The book also covers the topic of Japanese Internment Camps, which was quite surprising for a children’s book. Often, there is a tendency to omit or whitewash the “bad stuff” from American history when targeting young readers. However, it is refreshing to see this book take a different approach. By including the discussion of Japanese internment camps, it gives children an opportunity to learn about an unfortunate and dark chapter of American history, fostering empathy and understanding.

What sets this book apart from others is its ability to address these sensitive topics without being ham-fisted or confrontational. It remains reserved in its approach, offering an age-appropriate introduction to the complexities of racism and discrimination. This not only educates young readers, but also allows for meaningful conversations about these important and often overlooked aspects of history. In an era where critical thinking and cultural awareness are essential (and sadly being censored by bad-faith politicians), books like these play a vital role in shaping the perspectives and values of young minds. By tackling uncomfortable truths within the context of a children’s book, it encourages readers to question the status quo and instills a sense of social responsibility.

Even though I am not the target audience for History Comics – World War II – Fight on the Home Front, I found it well-written and interesting. This would be a great book for a child to read in school when they inevitably slam headfirst into the topic of World War II, as topics like what is featured in the book are rarely discussed until higher education levels. The art is pretty good, and somewhat resembles something between an Archie Comic and Steven Universe to a degree. Overall this was a great read, and I highly recommend it.

I was given the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review, thank you to First Second Books for the opportunity. For more information on this book, click HERE or HERE.