Mr. Block: The Subversive Comics and Writing of Ernest Riebe

(Paperback)

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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 Riebes 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. Blocks misadventures and misbeliefs are as relevant today as ever. Building the new world from the ashes of the old demands many toolsand laughter will always be one of them.

Reviews

"As we take pleasure from the spare look and wicked humor of these
send-ups of the retrograde worker and the even more retrograde
institutions that ensnare him, how they teach deserves attention too. We
need to learn the lessons regarding church, state, and boss that Mr.
Block refused. Equally, we need to think about how the artist skewers
the destructive actions and beliefs of fellow workers without letting
their rulers off the hook. Study and chuckle."
--David Roediger, University of Kansas, author of The Sinking Middle Class

"When
it comes to getting schooled and laughing along the way, there's
nothing like the satirical comics of Wobbly Ernest Riebe. His legendary
Mr. Block series comes back to life in this funny, smart, and timely new
collection."
--Peter Cole, author of Ben Fletcher: The Life and Times of a Black Wobbly

"More
than a hundred years ago, Ernest Riebe used Mr. Block to diagnose the
critical diseases that afflicted working people: capitalism, government
of, by, and for the boss, co-opted political parties, and labor
bureaucrats. The diseases are still with us, and so Riebe's antidote has
lost none of its potency: a labor movement that is militant, radical,
and democratic. The cartoons have lost none of their accuracy or
relevance, and this collection, accompanied by more recent historical
analysis and appraisal, is a valuable tool for activists, organizers,
and educators. It's also a lot of fun."
--Mark Leier, labor historian, Simon Fraser University

"Ernest
Riebe's Mr. Block was one of the first radical comic strips, and it
remains one of the best. This book is a treasure for activists,
historians, and comic enthusiasts alike!"
--Kenyon Zimmer, co-editor of Wobblies of the World: A Global History of the IWW

Author Bio

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.