Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

How comic books can help us understand this political moment

Comic book panel

A panel from "Stop Project 2025: A Comics Guide to the Republican Plan to End Democracy"

Toliver is an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a public voices fellow with The OpEd Project.

Recently, a group of comic book writers and authors published “Stop Project 2025: A Comics Guide to the Republican Plan to End Democracy.” Free to the public, the guide aims to succinctly explain the Heritage Foundation’s 900-page blueprint for Donald Trump to overhaul the executive branch of government when he is sworn into office for the second time.

The future of democracy may seem an unlikely topic for comic book treatment, but the genre has long transcended the likes of Marvel superheroes. And in an era when civic literacy is in peril, we need them more than ever.


Indeed, comics can serve as a vital bridge between intricate policy discussions and everyday understanding. By tackling critical issues like education, health care, libraries, teachers and voting, the comic initiative transforms complex, jargon-laden policy into accessible comic narratives that bring all readers into the conversation. After all, if people can’t understand the rules of the game, how can they participate meaningfully in it?

Historically, comic books have been dismissed as children’s media, but their capacity to convey complex ideas and engage in social and political commentary has been widely underestimated. Comic books have a long history of addressing social issues. For instance, the X-Men series is an allegory for racial discrimination in the United States, illustrating the struggles of marginalized groups in a white patriarchal capitalist society. Superman, since his introduction, has fought for social justice, and his story serves as a “metaphor for refugees and immigrants” in the United States. Similarly, Luke Cage, as a Black superhero from Harlem, confronts systemic injustices and the challenges of urban life, highlighting the complexities of race and class disparities in America. These stories and others demonstrate that comics can be a powerful platform for social commentary.

Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter

In an era dominated by dense legal texts and political rhetoric that can alienate even the most engaged citizens, comics stand out as a powerful tool for demystifying intricate ideas and providing people the basic information they need to make informed decisions that will help them to participate meaningfully in civic life. By simplifying content and sparking interest in issues that directly affect people’s lives, comics make political discourse more relatable and engaging.

Of course, there is undeniable value in reading original documents, no matter the length. But the United States faces a reading epidemic marked by dwindling literacy rates and a society increasingly disengaged from longer narratives. We find ourselves inundated with quick, bite-sized content — memes, reels, shorts and curated social media posts — that demand little of our attention and often prioritize entertainment over education. In this context, comics offer a refreshing alternative, allowing for a deeper exploration of important topics in a format that captures attention and encourages reflection.

The visual storytelling inherent in comics can also attract diverse audiences, including young people, busy parents and those who might feel intimidated by traditional political discourse. By presenting multifaceted issues through relatable characters and narratives, comics invite readers to engage in conversations about the world around them. They break down barriers, making it easier for people to grasp the implications of policies that impact their lives.

As an example, Project 2025, if fully realized, could reshape American society, impacting everything from personal freedoms to public education. The potential consequences of such policies warrant serious attention and discussion. Yet, many citizens, even avid readers, may not have the time or inclination to wade through nearly a thousand pages of dense legalese.

By utilizing a medium that resonates with multiple audiences, the creators of the comics guide are not just educating; they are empowering. They provide readers with the tools to question, discuss and advocate for their rights by presenting information in an accessible manner.

In a media landscape dominated by rapid-fire media and soundbites, initiatives like Stop Project 2025 remind us that effective democracy relies on an informed public. Knowledge is power, and in a democratic society, an informed citizenry is the bedrock of effective governance. By encouraging critical thinking and open dialogue, we can cultivate a society where citizens actively shape their future.

Ultimately, as we face significant challenges to our democratic institutions, we must recognize that understanding the rules of the game is essential for meaningful participation. By embracing innovative approaches to communication, we can inspire a new generation of informed citizens who feel empowered to engage with the democratic process. As we navigate the complexities of modern governance, we must leverage tools like comics to ensure that essential information is accessible and engaging. In doing so, we can reignite a passion for reading and foster a more critically engaged citizenry, one comic at a time.

Read More

People voting
LPETTET/Getty Images

Attention must be paid to working and retired Americans

There is no question that the Democratic Party has lost touch with the working class. Candidates actually rarely use the phrase "working class," while they never stop saying "middle class." Working class, to most Democrats, feels like a pejorative term. Everyone, after all, wants to rise up to the middle class, which makes up 50 percent of the country.

The 35 percent of the public who fit into the working class, in Rodney Dangerfield's terms, don't get no respect.

Keep ReadingShow less
USA China trade war and American tariffs as opposing cargo freight containers in conflict as an economic and diplomatic dispute over import and exports concept as a 3D illustration.
wildpixel/Getty Images

Are Trump's tariffs good for the economy or will they increase prices?

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office, there is much talk about tariffs as the foundation for his economic policy. Trump himself says he’s “a Tariff Man,” and in fact implemented tariffs on a number of countries in his first term. But what are tariffs exactly, and how do they work? What are the pros and cons?

There’s a lot at stake, and like many things “economic,” it’s kind of complicated. So let’s break it down.

Keep ReadingShow less
Man stepping on ripped poster

A man treads on a picture of Syria's ousted president, Bashar al-Assad, as people enter his residence in Damascus on Dec. 8.

Omar Haj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images

With Assad out, this is what we must do to help save Syria

This was a long day coming, and frankly one I never thought I’d see.

Thirteen years ago, Syria’s Bashar Assad unleashed a reign of unmitigated terror on his own people, in response to protests of his inhumane Ba’athist government.

Keep ReadingShow less
Men and a boy walking through a hallway

Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, with his son X, depart the Capitol on Dec. 5.

Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Will DOGE promote efficiency for its own sake?

This is the first entry in a series on the Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory board created by President-elect Donald Trump to recommend cuts in government spending and regulations. DOGE, which is spearheaded by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has generated quite a bit of discussion in recent weeks.

The goal of making government efficient is certainly an enviable one indeed. However, the potential for personal biases or political agendas to interfere with the process must be monitored.

As DOGE suggests cuts to wasteful spending and ways to streamline government operations, potentially saving billions of dollars, The Fulcrum will focus on the pros and cons.

We will not shy away from DOGE’s most controversial proposals and will call attention to dangerous thinking that threatens our democracy when we see it. However, in doing so, we are committing to not employing accusations, innuendos or misinformation. We will advocate for intellectual honesty to inform and persuade effectively.

The new Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory board to be headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is designed to cut resources and avoid waste — indeed to save money. Few can argue this isn't a laudable goal as most Americans have experienced the inefficiencies and waste of various government agencies.

Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter

Keep ReadingShow less