Despite her obligations as a television host, a political pundit, and a celebrated author, Rachel Maddow still manages to find time in her schedule to catch up on the comics she loves. An avid comics consumer, Maddow has written introductions for comics (Greg Rucka and JH Williams III's Batwoman) as well as spread the word of graphic novels she loves to any member of congress who will listen. So when a book like March -- the first in a three part autobiography from civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis -- comes along, it's right in her wheelhouse, and it's no surprise she'd go to the source to talk about it.

Congressman Lewis was joined by March co-writer Andrew Aydin and illustrator Nate Powell on The Rachel Maddow Show last night to discuss their best-selling graphic novel, as well as Martin Luther King And The Montgomery Story, the civil rights comic produced in 1958 that taught readers the ways of non-violence and inspired Congressman Lewis to use the medium to share his story.

 

I recently sat down with Congressman Lewis and Aydin to discuss their project, and they both spoke to the immense influence The Montgomery Story had on their decision to create March. Created and produced by the Fellowship For Reconciliation in 1958, the book had a profound influence on a young Congressman Lewis as he was learning -- and very soon after teaching -- The Montgomery Method, which would later be known as the non-violence movement.  With that in mind, Top Shelf announced earlier this week that they have teamed with the F.O.R. to create the first ever fully-authorized digital edition of the comic, in addition to a new physical reprint to the iconic comic, available here.

Books like March and The Montgomery Story represent the very best of comics. They are educational tools, but independent of that, they're also wonderful examples of the power of the medium. They are comics that matter, in large part because they tell stories that matter.

 

 

In addition to the above interview, Maddow and Congressman Lewis recently sat down for an hour long interview at the Kentucy Author Forum. That segment will soon air on PBS, but it's also available to view right now.

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