Democrats Reaching Out: The Comic Book Method

[Sporadicus]

Listening to NPR last week on the way home from work, I heard the story of an engineer who collaborated with an artist to create comic-book stories that explain scientific principles - a counterstrike against fundies who publish their own bible-tract comics ridiculing evolutionary theory. It got me to thinking...then I got home, ate, got busy & forgot about it...until today!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4495248

It occurred to me that comic tracts could be a way to reach those whose senses have been dulled by overexposure to the MSM, fundies, neocon apologists and * cultists. Imagine tracts highlighting FDR's accomplishments in leading the US out of the Great Depression, the labor movement, the civil rights movement, black-box voting, etc. Despite notions that comic books are 'kid stuff,' keep in mind that the human brain reserves plenty of space for processing visual information - especially human faces. These comics could connect on a level that the printed word could never hope to attain.

I'd be interested in pitching this idea to MoveOn and other progressive groups to provide financing for this endeavor. I welcome any input other DUers would have - regardless of experience or expertise. After a comprehensive plan is conceived, I advocate sending a proposal to Howard Dean; after all, this is about as 'grass-roots' as you can get.

[madison2000]

1. Have you ever seen Al Franken's "The Gospel of Supply Side Jesus"

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/03/09/17_franken.html

Its written along those lines, accurate, and funny.

[Sporadicus]

3. Yes, I've Seen It

but I want something people can hold in their hands, refer to when they're not at the computer, and pass along to others. I'd like to see an entire series of these tracts become collectibles!

[rawtribe]

2. Check out....

Thom Hartmann:
We the People: A Call to Take Back America



http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1882109384/qid=1109030440/sr=8-8/ref=pd_ka_1/002-6405900-0935268?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[Eric J in MN]

4. That could be a starting point

Look at what Thom Hartmann did, but come up with a simpler 32 page, comic-book size version each-in-the-series on a specific issue.

[immoderate]

5. There are some.

Illustrated books on historical subjects. I bought one on Einstein. Wish I could find it. I think I saw some others, maybe New Deal, Socialism...(brain cells crackling).

This is a good idea. Much of what there is that is entertaining is also directed at the choir.

--IMM

[Sporadicus]

6. Shameless Kick

I had to leave for awhile, but I want to hear more ideas!