Witness and Response: September 11 Acquisitions at the Library of Congress
Comic Book Art/Political Cartoons

The comic book is a powerful and compelling storytelling medium, and, in the aftermath of September 11, illustrators were among the first artists to respond to the terrorist attacks. In an unprecedented action, a coalition of publishers, writers, and illustrators quickly joined forces to produce a remarkable, two-volume anthology, September 11: The World's Finest Comic Book Writers and Artists Tell Stories to Remember. The editors and publishers of these books, as well as another graphic publication, World War III Illustrated, were contacted by Prints and Photographs Division curators to inquire about possible acquisitions. All were highly enthusiastic and in turn contacted the artists who, in a remarkable display of generosity and unity, donated 335 original drawings to the Library.

In addition, curators identified specific editorial cartoons and illustrations for the collection, including the work of Ann Telnaes, Tony Auth, Kevin Kallaugher, Jeff Danziger, Garry Trudeau, and the team of Maira Kalman and Rick Meyerowitz. These artists convey thoughtful observations on eroded tolerance for varied political and religious convictions and capture the tragedies' destruction and violence.

Joe Staton, Bob Smith, Paul Levitz and John Workman, Tradition, 2001. Ink, opaque white, photomechanical overlays with paste-ons over graphite underdrawing on paper. Published in DC Comics' 9-11 September 11th 2001, p. 45. Gift of the artists and DC Comics. Prints and Photographs Division (126)

Phil Jimenez, [Squad 18 Fire Department of New York station house], 2001. Ink and opaque white over graphite underdrawing. Published in DC Comics' 9/11 September 11th, 2001, p. 114. Gift of the artist and DC Comics. Prints and Photographs Division

Sue Coe. 9-11, 2001. Copyright © 2002 Sue Coe, Courtesy Galerie St. Etienne, New York. Inkjet print. Published in World War 3 Illustrated, #32. Gift of the artist. Prints and Photographs Division (103)

Igor Kordey, Pennsylvania plane, 2001. Ink, porous point pen and opaque white over graphite underdrawing. Published in Marvel Comics' Heroes: The World's Greatest Super Hero Creators, p.17. Prints and Photographs Division (132)

Kieron Dwyer and Mark Chiarello, [Faces of the dead fill the World Trade Towers at twilight], 2001. Fuji Pictrography on Fujifilm Pictro paper. Published in DC Comics' 9-11 September 11th 2001, p. 14. Gift of the artists and DC Comics. Prints and Photographs Division (137)

Peter Kuper/Peter Kuper.com, Missing, 2001. Acrylic, watercolor and pencil with photomechanical overlay on paper. Published as cover of World War 3 Illustrated, #32. Gift of the artist. Prints and Photographs Division (138)

Alex Ross, [Superman and the heroes of September 11, 2001], 2001. Watercolor, gouache and opaque white over graphite underdrawing on paper. Published as cover of DC Comics' 9-11 September 11th 2001. Gift of the artist and DC Comics. Prints and Photographs Division (145)

Reality 9/11

Will Eisner. Reality 9/11, 2001. Ink brush, ink wash, opaque white and plastic overlay with tempera. Published in Alternative Comics' 9-11 Emergency Relief. Gift of the artist. Prints and Photographs Division (125)

Garry Trudeau, Doonesbury. "Well, guess I better get going," 2001. Ink on paper. Gift of the Artist. Prints and Photographs Division (179)

Ann Telnaes, We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you reality, 2001. Ink and opaque white over blue pencil on paper. © 2001 Tribune Media Services, Inc., all rights reserved. Gift of the Artist. Prints and Photographs Division (180)

KAL, Kevin Kallaugher, Baltimore Sun, "Ready to go? Er...don't nod your head...," 2001. Ink and opaque white over graphite underdrawing on paper. Gift of the Artist. Prints and Photographs Division(182)

Tony Auth, Another victim of Bin Laden's terror, October 11, 2001. Ink and porous point pen on paper. Gift of the Artist Prints and Photographs Division (181)

KAL, Kevin Kallaugher, Baltimore Sun, "Attorney General Ashcroft testifies," 2001. Ink over graphite underdrawing on paper. Gift of the Artist. Prints and Photographs Division (183)

Jeff Danziger, America On Guard, 2002. Porous point pen, ink, opaque white, photomechanical paste-ons and overlays on paper. Tribune Media Services, Inc., all rights reserved. Gift of the Artist. Prints and Photographs Division (239)

Maira Kalman and Rick Meyerowitz, New Yorkistan, 2002. Offset lithograph. Published as cover of The New Yorker, on December 10, 2001. Prints and Photographs Division (237)

Rick Meyerowitz, [Sketch of concept for New Yorkistan], 2001. Porous point pen on Century Club napkin. Prints and Photographs Division (240)

Rick Meyerowitz, [Sketch - "New Yorkistan NewYorkestan?"], 2001. Porous point pen on notebook paper. Prints and Photographs Division (241)

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Mac McGill, IX XI MMI, 2001

Ink and white out with overlays on paper. Published in World War 3 Illustrated, #32, p. 39, Gift of the artist. Prints and Photographs Division (118)

Mac McGill, <em>IX XI MMI</em> [Page 5]

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Scott Kolins, Dan Panosian, Joe Kelly, John Workman, Wake up, 2001

Ink, porous point pen, photomechanical paste-ons and overlays over blue pencil and graphite underdrawing on paper. Published in DC Comics' 9-11 September 11th 2001, p. 19-23. Gift of the artists and DC Comics. Prints and Photographs Division (127-131)

<em>Wake up</em> [Page 1]

Kolins, Panosian, Kelly, Workman. Wake up [Page 1]

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Kolins, Panosian, Kelly, Workman. Wake up [Page 5]

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A. David Lewis, Dan Cooney, Evan Quiring, Darren Merinuk, Peter Palmiotti, Jason Narvalz, Jason Martin, Alabaster Cities, 2001

Ink, porous point pen and opaque white over graphite underdrawing on paper [digital file of completed work]. Published in Alternative Comics' 9-11 Emergency Relief, p. 61. Gift of the artists. Prints and Photographs Division (184)

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Neil Kleid, Harry Roland, Gray Morrow, Marc Hempel, John Staton, Mark Wheatley, [Letters From a Broken Apple], 2001

Acrylic on paper [digital files of completed work]. Published in Alternative Comics' 9-11 Emergency Relief, p. 122. Gift of the artists and Pocho Morrow. Prints and Photographs Division (136)

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