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Mr. Block

The Subversive Comics and Writing of Ernest Riebe
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( 17 ratings, 7 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Before the Golden Age of comic books, Ernest Riebe created Mr. Block, a bumbling, boss-loving, anti-union character who satirises conservative workers' misplaced faith in capitalism. As a member of the Industrial Workers of the World, Riebe crafted this union-hating anti-hero to expose the exploitation of workers. This anthology compiles Riebeโ€™s writings and comics, offering a radical view of 20th-century labour struggles, still relevant amid todayโ€™s rising income inequality.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Recommended for: Comics lovers, historians, and labour activists looking to engage with radical cultural history and social critique through humour and art.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Before the Golden Age of comic books, there was Mr. Block: a bumbling, boss-loving, anti-union blockhead, brought to life over a hundred years ago by subversive cartoonist Ernest Riebe.

A dedicated labour activist and member of the Industrial Workers of the World, Riebe dreamed up his iconic, union-hating anti-hero to satirize conservative workers' faith in the capitalist system that exploits them. This wickedly funny anthology of Riebe's writings and comics is a treasure trove of radical 20th-century art and an essential addition to the bookshelves of comics lovers, historians, and labour activists alike.

As income inequality skyrockets and the collective power of the working class is undermined, the lessons from Mr. Block's misadventures and misbeliefs are as relevant today as ever. Building the new world from the ashes of the old demands many toolsโ€”and laughter will always be one of them.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

David Roediger praises the book for its combination of "wicked humour" and important lessons about the church, state, and boss-worker relations, encouraging readers to "study and chuckle." Peter Cole calls it a "funny, smart, and timely" collection that revives Riebeโ€™s legendary satirical work. The reviews highlight the comic's enduring relevance and sharp critique of capitalism and labour politics.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9798887440019

Publisher: PM Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 August 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: PM Press

Illustration: 1 Illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 203.0mm

Height: 266.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 128

About the Author

The Graphic History Collective is a group of activists, artists, writers, and researchers interested in comics, history, and social change. They produce history projects in accessible formats to help people understand the roots of contemporary social issues. Their projects show that you don't need a cape and a pair of tights to change the world. For more, visit www.graphichistorycollective.com. Paul Buhle, a labor historian of 1960s vintage, published Radical America Komics in 1969. After an explicable lapse of 35 years, he has produced, since 2005, a number of non-fiction comics, including Wobblies! A Graphic History. He lives in Rhode Island. Iain McIntyre is a Melbourne-based historian, musician, and community radio broadcaster who has written a variety of books about activism, culture, and music. Recent publications include Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: Radical Science Fiction, 1950 to 1986; Environmental Blockades: Obstructive Direct Action and the History of the Environmental Movement; and On The Fly!: Hobo Literature and Songs, 1879-1941.

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