Disaster and Resistance: Political Comics by Seth Tobocman

by Seth Tobocman

“A graphic revelation, an artistic and political document of enormous value in our troubled world.”—Paul Buhle Disaster and Resistance outlines pressing social and political struggles at the dawn of the twenty-first century. In his bold comic style, Seth Tobocman chronicles events as they happen, musing not on the chaos of instability and fear, but on the struggle against it. This book is a call to action. Seth Tobocman , a founding editor of World War 3 Illustrated , has authored three books, shown his work at the Museum of Modern Art, and been included in Harvey Pekar and Anne Elizabeth Moore’s The Best American Comics .

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, History, Politics, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Art

200 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

Radical comic book artist who has been living in Manhattan's Lower East Side since 1978. Tobocman is best known for his creation of the political comic book World War 3 Illustrated, which he started in 1979 with fellow artist Peter Kuper. He has also been an influential propagandist for the squatting, anti-globalist, and anti-war movements in the United States.

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the surface this is my kind of graphic novel: Hurricane Katrina, Israel, oil company abuses in Nigeria, The Carlyle Group directly responsible for 9/11? Yet I'm left feeling that either I am just a cynical shell of a human being or the author is completely and utterly naive. Or both. I appreciate the author's GR profile describes him as a propagandist and these were mainly pamphlets and so I can overlook the over the top hyperbole. And I'm glad there are people who have yet to give up hope that anything they do might matter, but as I see it, I'm just a realist, whereas when Seth Tobocman finally comes to the realization that topless protests can't fix the world he'll be so distraught he'll probably off himself.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of various political and social rails done by Tobocman over the past few years, focusing on New Orleans post-Katrina mostly. He makes some good points, draws great, though he shares Michael Moore's tendency of over-state his point and try to make the Right seem like cackling, moustache-twirling uber-villains. Intriguing stuff.

[Doug Brunell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seth Tobocman's art, for those unfamiliar with it, is often as dark and stark as the things he covers. With this book it is Hurricane Katrina and how the government handled the Projects in its aftermath, the Carlyle Group, blood for oil, 9/11 and so much more. It's a snapshot in time as seen through Tobocman's art.

Tobocman has been doing this for a long time, and he has made quite a name for himself. With a book like this, it is easy to see why. Don't think this is just "liberal nonsense," either. He leaves no political group unscathed in his pieces. Therefore, if this book offends you, you are probably part of the problem.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

These comics are educational overviews of Dubya-era geopolitical and imperialist corporate greed around the WTO, World Bank, NAFTA expansion etc. As a Louisianian I was drawn to the first-hand reports of post-Katrina lack of support for public housing dwellers. Also enlightening was Unrecognized Bedouin villages in Israel, the issue of the DC General Hospital closure, and more.

[ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like his earlier collection, "You Don't Have to Fuck People Over to Survive," this is a radical social history of the United States, in this case in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. There's a fair bit of radical political/activist strategy put forth as well, in documenting what works when resisting disaster capitalism. Most effective are the stories from the post-Katrina Gulf.

[Evan Harms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as a radical counterpart to the political events of my youth (and ongoing problems) - NAFTA, 9/11, Iraq, Palestine, Katrina - which were largely experienced through “objective” center-left news sources. Seeing the radical history of these events helps me realize that people have always been willing to take major risks to look out for each other

[Jensen Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seth Tobocman takes you through several secondhand accounts of the insidious nature of US imperialism. I think he does a great job, and the comic art did move me. Especially the ones I did not understand at first! I would re-review them and then be struck by the layered messaging. Also, Tobocman says no to Zios. Major green flag.

[I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a history book, and everyone really should read it.

This is an important record of how things have progressed since the turn of the millennium. Please, read it. Please.

We need to keep the perspective, and recognize what works and what actions are being taken long term.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The younger me absolutely loved Seth’s propaganda. Today’s version of me found his collection from the early 2000’s slightly naive. Overall great 1-5 page breakdowns of complex issues people can use to develop more critical thinking. Some solid popular education work via the comic medium.

[Anna Wallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What better way to remember people of the injustices of the world that in pictures. This is a powerful comics book. Read it.

[MRM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seth Tobocman is a venerated activist and artist, but I get the most out of informative comics, rather than reprints of handbills and posters (no matter how striking they might be, as the full-color ones here are). Disaster & Resistance has a good chunk of the former but also a lot of the latter, so, unless you're going to rip pages out of your copy, you might not want to spend the money on this book. (You can perhaps read your friend's copy, as I did.)

"A policy of disaster. A strategy of casualties. An economy that generates giant tornadoes. Making cash off of chaos. These are not acts of God. These are the consequences of decisions made by people in power. And because these policies were set by human beings, these policies can be overturned by other human beings."

Another passage that is sort of inspiring, if infinitely depressing because why should politicians need to see this before doing the right thing (in the story on hospital closures in D.C.):

"'Congressman Danny Davis, he looked at us and said, "I don't see no protesting going on. I don't see nobody turning over no cars. I don't see nobody outside. Where the ten thousand people?" I looked at him and said "We don't have to do that anymore." And he said "If you want me to act on D.C. General you do." So that means that we have to come out in droves!'"

Also includes sections on Hurricane Katrina, Chevron in Nigeria, and the Carlyle Group.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best examples of political cartooning...graphic novel...sequential art...an amazing synthesis of activism and and art, whatever you call it. Just absolutely brilliant. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Edwin Vazquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concerned look into the world of today. Seth Tobocman's political strips voice subjects that many other artists shy away from or do not truly understand. An authentic visual journalist, Seth delivers memorable art which will surely be markers for our current state of woe.

[Justin Stepney · Rating 5 out of 5]

can hardly put this thing down!
specially since it's not real thick, makes me wanna jus sit and read til it's done..

UGH!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intro by Mumia. Clarification on the world bank. Traveling comic er.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly highly recommend

[Sheena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Any redeeming qualities were trumped by the self-righteous pacifism of the author.

[Rye · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We, the people, must help each other."