In 1992, Art Spiegelman won a Pulitzer Prize for his groundbreaking graphic novel, Maus. It recounts the story of his father’s experiences as a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor in World War II. Although considered one of the greatest graphic novels of all time, the work was not originally published as a book. Spiegelman serialized his narrative in the comic book tradition instead, also following in the footsteps of great writers from Charles Dickens to Leo Tolstoy to Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Unlike individually-sold comic books, Maus was serialized in RAW magazine, the alternative comics anthology edited and published by Spiegelman and his wife, Françoise Mouly. The first chapter appeared as a small insert in RAW’s second issue in December 1980. Subsequent chapters were included in each issue until the magazine ceased publication in 1991.
Joost Swarte and Art Spiegelman
Raw Vol. 1, Issue No. 2
December 1980
New York: Raw Books
Installation view of Raw Vol. 1, Issue No. 2, showing Maus chapter 1 insert (top right)