In the foreword of The Antifa Comic Book: Revised and Expanded, historian Mark Bray emphasizes that comic books have historically addressed anti-fascism, dating back to characters like Superman and Captain Canuck, created during the 1930s. Author and illustrator Gord Hill explains that “Antifa” originates from the German Communist Party in the 1930s and has evolved into a broader term for movements opposing fascism, racism, and extremism. He notes that the term has been weaponized by the right, similar to how “woke” is used.
Hill began this project during Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2015, with the comic reflecting his experiences in anti-fascist and anti-racist organizing. The book has been updated to include significant events since its 2018 release, such as the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack, the 2024 Trump election campaign, the Quebec City Mosque attack in 2017, and the 2022 Freedom Convoy in Canada.
Hill aims to make complex historical lessons accessible through engaging illustrations, appealing to various readers, including children. He hopes readers gain an understanding of fascist movements’ history and the resistance against them, highlighting past victories over authoritarianism, including the defeat of Mussolini. The book, published by Arsenal Pulp Press, merges Hill’s activism with historical facts.
