What do you think?
Rate this book
9-11: Stories to Remember #1
9-11, Volume One: Artists Respond
This astonishing omnibus paperback serves as a moving memorial to the events of September 11, 2001. In vivid pictures and intensely autobiographic words, graphic artists celebrate the skyscraper heroes who still sustain us. Contributors include Frank Miller, Dave McKeon, Jeph Loeb, Will Eisner, Trina Robbins, Mike Diona, and dozens of others.
196 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
3 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
P. Craig Russell
516 books267 followersPhilip Craig Russell was the first mainstream comic book creator to come out as openly gay. Since 1972 his work has won multiple Kirby, Harvey, and Eisner Awards, and Cartoon Crossroads Columbus presented him the Master Cartoonist Award in 2019.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 24, 2024
This was good overall, and very emotionally affecting for me. I doubt any of us (who are old enough to remember) will ever forget where we were at the moment we heard about the first tower. It was the kind of day where you just want to curl up in a ball, but there is still work to be done and people to care for.
My feelings now are much more complex than the raw fear of that day, but these cartoonists have done a surprising job of eliciting the feel of the time. Some of the insights are just as timely today as they were in 2001.
You can't fully perceive a moment while you are immersed in it, but strangely, you might get a feeling that you've been there before. That's what these artist interpretations capture.
My feelings now are much more complex than the raw fear of that day, but these cartoonists have done a surprising job of eliciting the feel of the time. Some of the insights are just as timely today as they were in 2001.
You can't fully perceive a moment while you are immersed in it, but strangely, you might get a feeling that you've been there before. That's what these artist interpretations capture.
December 18, 2016
15 years on, September 11th is no longer mine. It has been co-opted by more cynical people. It has become a political tool used to justify horrific things. It is draped in flags and patriotism and it is cheapened for those of who are skeptical of flags and patriotism.
What's incredible about this book is that it brought me back to the feelings of the days after the 9/11 attacks. It was a time where people felt raw and vulnerable, and the things they said in those days -- the days when these comics were written -- have since coagulated and hardened and have turned from raw emotion into something less flexible, something uglier. Reading this book 15 years on is both a reminder of the days after, and a reminder of the 15 years that followed, and the ugliness that was born on that day.
I guess it wasn't born on that day, though. I guess it was born a long time ago.
What's incredible about this book is that it brought me back to the feelings of the days after the 9/11 attacks. It was a time where people felt raw and vulnerable, and the things they said in those days -- the days when these comics were written -- have since coagulated and hardened and have turned from raw emotion into something less flexible, something uglier. Reading this book 15 years on is both a reminder of the days after, and a reminder of the 15 years that followed, and the ugliness that was born on that day.
I guess it wasn't born on that day, though. I guess it was born a long time ago.
September 12, 2019
9-11: Artists Respond: Volume 1 is an anthology of one or two-page short comics, comic strips, and graphic art collected by Dark Horse Comics, Chaos! Comics, and Image Comics and focused on the tragedy that was the September 11 Attacks (9/11). Today is the eighteenth anniversary of the tragic event and I thought it was apropos to re-read it today.
Dark Horse Comics, Chaos! Comics, and Image Comics released this collections of short comics, which proceeds going towards The World Trade Center Relief Fund, Survivors Fund, September 11th Fund, and the Twin Towers Fund. Hundreds of volunteer writers, pencilers, inkers, colourists, letterers, and editors contribute to this anthology.
This anthology is part memorial and historical document on what happened on that terrible day not so long ago. This anthology mourns the victims, support the survivors, celebrating first responders, and examining how one lives in a post 9/11 world. These comic-shorts run the gauntlet, some were hopeful and others were emotionally heart-wrenching.
For the most part, I like most of the contributions in this anthology. However, with most anthologies, there are weaker contributions and there were some weaker entries – they weren't all that terrible that I would outright hate it, but I think with the various contributors with short comics gave a varying degree of subjected quality, which unfortunately made a mediocre collection in my taste. Overall, it is a wonderful collection of entries that honors the victims and survivors of the September 11 Attacks.
With literally hundreds of writers and pencilers it is extremely difficult to rate this anthology in both text and art as it is rather diverse. While normally I would like the flow both textually and artistically to be constant in graphic novels, 9-11: Artists Respond: Volume 1 is the exception to that rule. I think it's because the comic stories were mostly one or two pages long that it didn't give the chance for my brain to notice a penciling style to follow and contrast with.
All in all, 9-11: Artists Respond: Volume 1 is a wonderful collection of comic strips and graphic art in commemoration to the September 11 Attacks, but unfortunately gave a mediocre quality overall.
Dark Horse Comics, Chaos! Comics, and Image Comics released this collections of short comics, which proceeds going towards The World Trade Center Relief Fund, Survivors Fund, September 11th Fund, and the Twin Towers Fund. Hundreds of volunteer writers, pencilers, inkers, colourists, letterers, and editors contribute to this anthology.
This anthology is part memorial and historical document on what happened on that terrible day not so long ago. This anthology mourns the victims, support the survivors, celebrating first responders, and examining how one lives in a post 9/11 world. These comic-shorts run the gauntlet, some were hopeful and others were emotionally heart-wrenching.
For the most part, I like most of the contributions in this anthology. However, with most anthologies, there are weaker contributions and there were some weaker entries – they weren't all that terrible that I would outright hate it, but I think with the various contributors with short comics gave a varying degree of subjected quality, which unfortunately made a mediocre collection in my taste. Overall, it is a wonderful collection of entries that honors the victims and survivors of the September 11 Attacks.
With literally hundreds of writers and pencilers it is extremely difficult to rate this anthology in both text and art as it is rather diverse. While normally I would like the flow both textually and artistically to be constant in graphic novels, 9-11: Artists Respond: Volume 1 is the exception to that rule. I think it's because the comic stories were mostly one or two pages long that it didn't give the chance for my brain to notice a penciling style to follow and contrast with.
All in all, 9-11: Artists Respond: Volume 1 is a wonderful collection of comic strips and graphic art in commemoration to the September 11 Attacks, but unfortunately gave a mediocre quality overall.
September 13, 2016
9-11 Artists respond, by Dark Horse comics, a graphic novel.
In this book, the artists try to convey their emotions through the pictures, colors, tone and shading of their work. Yes the words mean things too, but it was the way that they convinced me of their emotions through the people of New York. I believe this was a good book, the art was fantastic, and the dialogue was good too, but sometimes it was confusing. The only negative thing I could think of is that sometimes I didn't understand what the artist was trying to convey, some of the Leicester were vague to me. The most positive thing was that the art depicted what the artist was trying to get across. This book did meet my expectations, and it made me feel like I was there, I felt the emotions of sorrow, unity, and remembrance.
In this book, the artists try to convey their emotions through the pictures, colors, tone and shading of their work. Yes the words mean things too, but it was the way that they convinced me of their emotions through the people of New York. I believe this was a good book, the art was fantastic, and the dialogue was good too, but sometimes it was confusing. The only negative thing I could think of is that sometimes I didn't understand what the artist was trying to convey, some of the Leicester were vague to me. The most positive thing was that the art depicted what the artist was trying to get across. This book did meet my expectations, and it made me feel like I was there, I felt the emotions of sorrow, unity, and remembrance.
Read
March 11, 20159/11 is a very touching book. It gives different perspectives of different people on the day of the tragedy. Some of the perspectives are on people who lived thousand of miles away and what their reaction was to seeing it on TV. Other perspectives were from people who were directly impacted or any one who survived. a big part is the book talks about the heroes; so any first responders such as fireman, police, swat, and any one else. Regular everyday people also were talked about and their heroic actions. I recommend this book to people who are interested in 9/11.
October 8, 2022
Some truly great pages of comics in here, but overshadowed by ones that are either extremely weepy or disgustingly patriotic. Overall though, it makes an interesting portrait of an entire country (and some outside it) collectively dealing with mass trauma. At the very least, all of these stories are capsules of intense emotions. They're extremely genuine, so I can't say I hold any real hatred towards any of these comics.
January 2, 2020
although a sad number of the responses are gaggingly patriotic, there are a good number that are much more than knee-jerk reactions.
a really great varied view of the responses to 9-11. very poignant and interesting.
the diverse responses really capture the chaotic and senseless feel of the attack.
a really great varied view of the responses to 9-11. very poignant and interesting.
the diverse responses really capture the chaotic and senseless feel of the attack.
February 17, 2026
As a school librarian, I try to keep up with a variety of genres, YA genres and graphic novels that I think my students would enjoy. The other day, I was doing a pass through the graphic novel area of our collection, and I noticed "9-11 Artists Respond." In it, there were dozens of short pieces, most of them 1-2 pages about some aspect of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. This caused an upwelling of two very distinct and strong feelings. First, came the realization that 9-11 was 25 years ago, yet for people in my age group, it is still very raw. It is difficult to comprehend how little connection my current students feel with it. But I have to remember that this happened 7 years before my seniors were born, which is similar in time to when the Kennedy assassination happened in relation to my own birth. There is no way it could mean the same to them as it did to me as I watched it unfold on that Tuesday morning.
The second feeling conjured up by this volume is a rather sad one. Many of the artist's work represented how united so many people came to be after the attack and shared that as one positive. How far we are from that now! I was around first-hand to experience this feeling of unity, and now I can say that I have seen the U.S. become more divided than it has been at any time since perhaps the U.S. Civil War. Whatever the cause, most people would agree that that unity was a positive in most ways.
Besides the feelings that "9-11: Artists Respond" dredged up within me, it is still a work worthy of consideration. I have a feeling that it will mean many different things to the people who were there for this horrifying day. Highly Recommended
The second feeling conjured up by this volume is a rather sad one. Many of the artist's work represented how united so many people came to be after the attack and shared that as one positive. How far we are from that now! I was around first-hand to experience this feeling of unity, and now I can say that I have seen the U.S. become more divided than it has been at any time since perhaps the U.S. Civil War. Whatever the cause, most people would agree that that unity was a positive in most ways.
Besides the feelings that "9-11: Artists Respond" dredged up within me, it is still a work worthy of consideration. I have a feeling that it will mean many different things to the people who were there for this horrifying day. Highly Recommended
January 16, 2020
Over the break, I read a book that was titled 9-11. This book was very good and interesting. I found out about this book because my teacher suggested it to me. This book is awesome because it has a lot of excitement, the book is also interesting and makes you feel sad at some point. This book discusses how people felt during the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Many people were hurting, others stressed and mostly were scared. One way this book can change for the better is to add how people have resumed their lives once everything is over and to know if they are okay as they carry all the heartbreak and sadness. This can help share their story and so people can relate to the book. People who should read the book are those who are trying to read about 9-11 and are looking for a quick read. This book allows you to relate to the characters because the book tells us how people take the heartbreak and deaths. The book tells us what happened in people's lives how they were so lucky and other things that happened to them. So you can probably relate if the same thing happened to you or something similar.
April 6, 2023
It's hard to find a good comic anthology these days, let alone one which strays far from science fiction and fantasy and instead focuses on the mundane, the people, the common person's reaction to tragedy. Every kind of person was affected by September 11, and this book encompasses them all -- the law-abiding Arab citizen, the American travelling abroad, the desensitized, the firemen, those on the planes and those lucky enough to be plucked from the Trade Center rubble.
The stories are varied, the images in color, black and white and grayscale, and each artist's style is distinct. You'll find cartoons, realistic drawings, and some in between, all of which do more to reflect the true feeling of American, if not world unity, and September 11 better than any Dateline special could.
I can't wait to read Volume Two.
The stories are varied, the images in color, black and white and grayscale, and each artist's style is distinct. You'll find cartoons, realistic drawings, and some in between, all of which do more to reflect the true feeling of American, if not world unity, and September 11 better than any Dateline special could.
I can't wait to read Volume Two.
September 26, 2023
This book is a very interesting way to put the dramatic and sad scenes of 9-11. They portray 9-11 through a graphic novel where they show you personal stories of what people remember about 9-11 and what they were doing in the moment. The authors show what it was like in the planes or what it was like to be a toddler watching 9-11 and not really get whats going on, the novel just really shows how people felt during 9-11.
January 25, 2018
Each contributor has a page or two and most are very well done, clearly conveying a personal feeling in reaction to 9-11. Then I got to Stan Sakai and he made me cry; I hope that skateboarder is ok, too.
April 10, 2018
This was an anthology of either short comics or images that depicted 9-11. It was interesting to see the portrayals as each one was different.
September 27, 2018
I appreciated it. I think it meant more in the moment than it does now. It’s a beautifully illustrated little piece of history.
March 15, 2021
A mixed bag collection that nevertheless gives a good representation of the variety of feelings that existed during and following the events of September 11th, 2001.
3.5/5
3.5/5
July 21, 2024
Some pro-American, some anti-Ametican, but mostly philosophical reflections on the tragedy.
October 21, 2024
Absolutely incredible. Will be reading this every year. It brought back the confusing feelings of living through the event.
January 16, 2012
This is probably not a book I would have picked up on my own accord – or rather, it’s not one that I would have gone looking for, but I was talking to my friend Denise, a fellow 00English teacher, about how she would like to use some of the images in the classroom and I was intrigued.
I’m not terribly (okay at all) politically minded and was a little concerned that the collection of comics contained within this volume would be more politically charged than I was prepared to deal with (particularly since this was on the top of the pile for my holiday reading). I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find that the large majority of the comics and images – in fact nearly all of them, focused on the stories of individuals and their experiences. There were quite a few images that had me transfixed – by both the beautiful imagery and the message it contained, and there were even those that had me in tears.
The artistic style employed throughout this collection was extremely diverse, and I would have to say this was a large part of its appeal and, what’s more, one of its biggest strengths. With its large number of contributing artists, many of the submissions are shorter, one page images or strips being the norm and the occasional double or three page spread appearing throughout. I can certainly see what my friend was talking about regarding using it in the classroom, but it made for an intriguing personal read also. I highly recommend it, and will be tackling the second volume next.
I’m not terribly (okay at all) politically minded and was a little concerned that the collection of comics contained within this volume would be more politically charged than I was prepared to deal with (particularly since this was on the top of the pile for my holiday reading). I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find that the large majority of the comics and images – in fact nearly all of them, focused on the stories of individuals and their experiences. There were quite a few images that had me transfixed – by both the beautiful imagery and the message it contained, and there were even those that had me in tears.
The artistic style employed throughout this collection was extremely diverse, and I would have to say this was a large part of its appeal and, what’s more, one of its biggest strengths. With its large number of contributing artists, many of the submissions are shorter, one page images or strips being the norm and the occasional double or three page spread appearing throughout. I can certainly see what my friend was talking about regarding using it in the classroom, but it made for an intriguing personal read also. I highly recommend it, and will be tackling the second volume next.
July 3, 2011
A short time after the World Trade Towers fell, over two hundred of the world’s finest comic book writers and artists came together to produce their memories of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 in 9-11, Artists Respond, Volume One and Two. Each volume contains over fifty comics and one page dramatic sketches and illustrations that comprise the myriad of feelings and emotions that went through the artists’ minds that day. These books pay a remarkable tribute to the first responders along with all of the regular people who lost their lives on that crisp and clear fall day. For kids who were too young to remember, the artist’s tell poignant stories, often with the help of superheroes, that will help explain what happened, how much was lost, and why it is all so tragically raw for so many people a decade later.
September 11, 2016
تتركني قراءة اﻷعمال الجماعية عادة في حالة من البسترة من فرط التعرض ﻷنماط كثيرة جدًا من اﻷفكار والتصورات، لكن مع جدث جلل راح ضحيته اﻵف اﻷرواح البريئة كهذا، فإن اﻷمر يستحق الانتباه لما يقدمه كل فنان أو كل كاتب حول هذه الحادثة هنا في هذا الكتاب المصور الجماعي، وكعادة اﻷعمال الجماعية هناك حالة من التفاوت في جودة اﻷفكار، فمع اﻹقرار بتميز وبساطة البعض منها، يأتي البعض اﻵخر مكررًا أو مباشرًا أو يتسم بنزعة تميل لتسجيل المواقف أكثر منها نحو تقديم حالات سردية مختلفة، لكن في المقابل عملت الرسوم في أغلبية الحكايات على موازنة الكفة.
April 21, 2015
It is natural to flash back to that fateful day when you read these cartoons. With that in mind, it is hard to keep the moisture out of your eyes. Like everyone else, I was astonished at the fall of the twin towers, it stunned us all in a way that goes to the depth of our being. These are some of the most powerful cartoons that have ever been published. Not necessarily on their own, but in the context of the times, they cannot help but move you.
This review also appears on Amazon
This review also appears on Amazon
October 18, 2013
Interesting concept. Overall, I was totally drawn to a lot of the submissions, but then there were a few that were super relatable and made me stare at/read it several times--e.g. The page with the drawing of a plane and underneath it said "This is not a bomb" in the swirly type a la Magritte's pipe.
June 29, 2015
Read in one sitting, this is an uneven but interesting collection of a great many varied viewpoints and styles. Inasmuch as I found some pieces distasteful, the overall collection provided a fascinating look into the landscape of talent in the world of comics at the time, from the sentimental to the cynical. If nothin else, it's a worthwhile time capsule.
March 18, 2016
This graphic novel of collected thoughts by different artists was a profound lesson in humility. Every voice a different takeaway from the same tragedy that occurred nearly fifteen years ago. I highly recommend this collection for anyone who wanted to know that happened that day and how it changed America forever.
August 10, 2016
Like any anthology, the quality here varies widely. Some of the pieces still have something interesting to say fifteen years later; some are very of the moment. But in total, reading this again in 2016 is a fascinating insight into a very particular time in US history.
August 2, 2016
That feeling you get in your throat when you can't breathe, and you don't want to move much in case something is dislodged and the horror you are barely holding inside will be released?
It gets stronger with every power filled page turn.
It gets stronger with every power filled page turn.
August 10, 2007
A great and eclectic collection of views on the events of September 11th 2001. Great to see so many views, creative story-telling and images in one place.
January 28, 2009
some of the responses are really powerful
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews