History Comics: The Prohibition Era | Review

History Comics: The Prohibition Era: America’s War on Alcohol
Written by Jason Viola; art by Roger Langridge
First Second, $21.99 (hardcover), $13.99 (paperback)
Ages 9-13

The outstanding History Comics line presents another excellent volume. As with World War II: Fight on the Home Front and The Stonewall Riots, The Prohibition Era extends beyond the obvious elements of the subject to look at events and people that changed American culture. The ramifications extend today, it’s made clear, as the fight against alcoholism continues.

The topics are wide-ranging and comprehensive, including

• the scientific effects of alcohol
• the history of fermented beverages
• the effect of the introduction of alcohol on Native American villages
• key anti-alcohol groups
• the rise of the saloon as a cultural center
• the local politics driving the passage of the amendment
• the introduction of speakeasies
• the role of the undercover prohibition agent
• the rise of organized crime
• and notable personalities, including
  • Johnny Appleseed, planting apples to make cider
  • Lyman Beecher, preaching avoidance of alcohol
  • Frances Willard, founder of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union
  • Carry Nation, hatchet-wielding bar destroyer
  • Arnold Rothstein, millionaire bootlegger
  • “Scarface” Al Capone, popular criminal
  • Pauline Sabin, founder of an organization for the repeal of Prohibition

Some of these are well known through popular culture, but there’s a whole lot more to the story, as shown here. The age rating could be a little higher—the vocabulary isn’t simplified, and a lot of material is covered quickly. There’s nothing wrong with treating readers as capable of understanding the events, though.

Unlike other volumes in the series, there is no glossary at the end or suggestions for further reading, although there is a timeline of events. It’s likely due to a page count limit, but those resources on the subject are missed, as there’s so much touched on that could be expanded upon.

Langridge’s art is from a cartoony tradition, which makes characters and situations friendly-looking, even John Barleycorn, our narrator and the villain responsible for deaths due to alcoholism and its results. Emotions are clear in his art, with plenty of detail setting the time periods and locations. His work is always a joy to read. It’s full, skilled, and adds a lot to the book.

Typical of these volumes, admirably, the greater scope of the events—beyond the great man/key dates approach to history—and effects on people of color, immigrants, and women are well covered. Prohibition can’t be discussed without acknowledging the political influence of women trying to protect wives and children. By covering more of the politics, less of the partying and gangsterism, more women become known as part of the story, and the result is a greater understanding of the confluence of human nature and political attempts to control it.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews, Young Adult