Kleefeld on Comics: Learn about Juneteenth with Comics

Learn about Juneteenth with Comics

One thing I've noted more than a few times on this blog is how I've spent much of my adult life unlearning the bullshit I was taught in school. Particularly when it comes to history, everything that was in my textbooks was heavily propagandized and incredibly white-washed. I've told the story before of when I was in middle school, my father brought home a small stack of Golden Legacy comics and within a week of reading about the importance of Frederick Douglass to freeing enslaved people, he happened to pop up in my history textbook at school... for exactly two sentences. So it's no surprise that when Junteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021, a lot of folks -- particularly those not descended from enslaved people -- just scratched their heads and didn't have the foggiest idea what Junteenth was for.

It's this type of thing that I think comics are particularly well-suited for. To catch people up on the history they either weren't taught at all or were actively taught incorrectly. Using comics to close these gaps ("chasms" might be the more appropriate term here though) makes learning more engaging and memorable in a way that a Wikipedia entry does not. And when it comes to issues around racism and slavery, let's face it -- Americans won't even acknowledge them unless they're heavily sugar-coated to begin with so, by and large, they're not just going learn anything about Juneteenth by casually reading through Wikipedia for the sake of their own edification.

OK, so what comics are actually out there that talk about the origins of Juneteenth and what it means?

To begin with, I can't find any webcomics touching on this subject. I'm really disappointed that there aren't more history webcomics in general, but I suspect that has to do with the origins of webcomics in the first place. (The medium itself tends to be more forward-looking, so its biggest proponents also tend to direct their thoughts to the present and future with technology.) But what about print?

I've been able to find four comics specifically focused on Junteenth. I haven't had a chance to read any of these yet -- one was only just announced and won't even be published until next year -- but I have to believe they all have something worthwhile for you. Check them out!

	The Adventures of Juneteena Freeman "CROWN": Graveyard in the Attic by Dr. Phyllis Tucker-Wicks Learn how a regular African American teenager stumbles upon a mystical crown that bestows her with the incredible powers of her ancestors. Juneteena embarks on a thrilling journey of self discovery, empowerment, and justice as she learns to wield these newfound abilities. Dive into this captivating adventure and witness Juneteena's transformation from a regular teen into a formidable superhero.
	KEMET The Time Traveller - Juneteenth by Joe Young Imagine discovering ancient realms through vibrant illustrations and captivating narratives—this is the essence of KEMET. It's more than a comic; it's a portal to understanding and cherishing our cultural roots. As we unveil each chapter, children are not only entertained but educated about Black history in a way that sparks curiosity and pride.
	The First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth by Angélique Roché, Alvin Epps, Millicent Monroe and Ben Glendining The incredible journey of activist Opal Lee—known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth—is brought to life in this biographical graphic novel that not only explores Opal’s remarkable path, but the history of the holiday of Juneteenth itself. (This is not due to be published until February 2026.)
	The Tree That Splits: A Juneteenth Story by Davian Chester Set during the final days of slavery, The Tree That Splits follows Levi and Celia, two enslaved lovers who are separated the day freedom arrives.