Will Eisner

Date of Birth: March 6, 1917

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: January 3, 2005

Biography

William Erwin Eisner, commonly known as Will Eisner, was an American cartoonist, writer, and entrepreneur. He was one of the pioneers in the comic book industry and is often credited with popularizing the graphic novel format. Born on March 6, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York, Eisner showed a keen interest in art from a young age. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School and then the Art Students League of New York, where he honed his skills. Eisner’s career began in the early 1930s, working on early comic books and strips. One of his most significant contributions to the medium was “The Spirit,” a comic strip that debuted in 1940 and ran until 1952. “The Spirit” was notable for its sophisticated storytelling, innovative use of the medium, and mature themes. In the 1970s, Eisner further cemented his legacy by publishing “A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories,” which is often considered one of the first graphic novels. This work explored the lives of Jewish immigrants in New York City, drawing heavily from his own experiences. Throughout his career, Eisner was a staunch advocate for the artistic and literary potential of comics. He wrote several instructional books on the art of comics, including “Comics and Sequential Art” and “Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative.” His influence on the medium is profound, and the industry honors his legacy with the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, often referred to as the “Eisners,” which recognize excellence in the field of comics.

5 Interesting Facts about Will Eisner

1. Will Eisner is often referred to as the “father of the graphic novel.”

2. “The Spirit” was initially distributed as a supplement in Sunday newspapers, reaching millions of readers.

3. Eisner served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he created instructional comics for soldiers.

4. He was awarded the National Cartoonists Society’s Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award in 1988.

5. The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, established in 1988, are named in his honor and are considered the Oscars of the comic book world.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Will Eisner

1. “The term ‘graphic novel’ is one that I never liked. It was created for the bookstores.”

2. “Comics are a form of storytelling that is, in some respects, more complex than film or prose.”

3. “The key to any good story is the human condition.”

4. “A comic strip is a form of writing, a form of literature, and it has the same possibilities as a novel or a short story.”

5. “I wanted to show that comics could be an art form and not just a throwaway medium.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Will Eisner is not well-documented, but his influence and contributions to the comic book industry have left an invaluable legacy.

Children

Will Eisner had one child, a son named John Eisner. John has been involved in preserving his father’s legacy and has worked with various organizations to promote Eisner’s work and contributions to the comic book industry.