The stories of heroism, tragedy, grief, and horror from World War II have inspired writers and artists alike. Comics are no exception. While some highlight tales of heroics, glory, and inspiration, others explore the period’s moral complexities at home and abroad. These graphic narratives utilize dynamic visuals and engaging scripts to transport the reader back in time, to the frontlines, and on the home front. Here are the five best World War II comics and graphic novels that are worth your time.
Maus by Art Spiegelman
Produced over several years and first published in the pages of Spiegelman’s periodic comics compilation Raw, Spiegelman’s Maus recounts through words and pictures the experiences of his father, Vladek, in WWII-era Poland. The reader watches as Vladek and his wife Anja’s lives crumble around them, culminating in their being sent to Auschwitz Concentration/Extermination Camp. This compelling and very human story is told through anthropomorphic mice and other animals. It is a great meditation on trauma, survival, and memory.
The EC Archives: Two-Fisted Tales/Front Line Combat by Harvey Kurtzman and Others
Along with WWII, the Kurtzman-helmed Two-Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat titles told war stories set in the Korean War and other conflicts. Controversial for its time, both titles avoided glorifying war and often had a distinct anti-war message showing the blood, guts, and waste of war. It was beautifully illustrated by EC Comics masters—John Severin, Jack Davis, Wally Wood, Will Elder, Reed Crandall, and Bernard Krigstein.
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker
Most famous for playing senior officer and helmsman Mr. Sulu on the original Star Trek series, George Takei and his family were part of the roundup and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Even as Americans, many people of Japanese descent, around 120,000 American citizens, were taken from their homes and put in government camps across the United States. Takei recalls what happened before, during, and after his family’s internment in They Called Us Enemy.
A Sailor’s Story by Sam Glanzman
Sam Glanzman was an artist during the Golden Age of comics and later illustrated stories for several DC Comics war titles, hired by well-known editor and artist Joe Kubert. After leaving comics in the late 1930s, Glanzman served aboard the U.S.S. Stevens between 1941 and 1945. He later wrote and illustrated a series of short comic stories recalling daily life on the Stevens, later reprinted in A Sailor’s Story and A Sailor’s Story, Book Two: Wind, Dreams, and Dragons. This comic gives readers a look at the nitty-gritty details of the service.
Willie & Joe: The WWII Years by Bill Mauldin
Willie and Joe were characters in a series of gag strips Bill Maudlin created for Stars and Stripes Magazine. While initially written to provide laughs about the rigors and challenges of military service for an American infantryman, the strip became darker over the years, showing the toll war can take on a soldier. Maudlin was stationed near the troops and didn’t skimp on realism, accurately portraying the surroundings and knowing the difference between a Ford GPW and a Willys M151A1 Jeep. Military vehicles made frequent appearances in his comics as characters of their own.
Those are the five best World War II comics and graphic novels. If you’re looking for comics that entertain, educate, and emotionally resonate, check out these recommendations!
