Illustrating History: Steven Harris and TrueFiktion
April 25, 2019 | 5 min read
Steven Harris: Crafting Emotion in Historical Fiction Comics with TrueFiktion
Written by Stephane Manuel | Illustration by Steven Harris
Few artists possess the ability to blend artistic prowess with historical storytelling as seamlessly as Steven Harris. As we delve into Harris' insights, we uncover the emotional challenges faced during the creation of "Jude's War" and the impact he hopes TrueFiktion's content has on students.
Throughout his 20-year career, Steven Harris has illustrated comic books for Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, and many other publishers. He is a four-time Glyph Award winner and a two-time Eisner Award nominee. He has participated in comic book art gallery shows in Chicago, California, Philadelphia, New York, and Japan.
In your experience, why do you think people commonly underestimate the complexity of comic book creation?
Steven: Oh, that it’s easy to do. That's one thing. And that it’s just drawing illustrations in boxes. The art of storytelling through comics takes skills and must be studied. Creating a comic requires lots of trial and error. It involves a lot of people telling you, “That’s not how you do it” or “That's not right” as you go along. It’s an ongoing process that takes practice and requires putting things out there to understand what works and what doesn’t work.
Can you delve deeper into what sets TrueFiktion apart from other platforms or projects you've been involved in?
Steven: I appreciate that the company focuses on the history and pushes black people forward. Many people don't know what we've done for this country and what we’ve gotten in return despite our contributions and efforts. I remember seeing [civil rights] documentaries like Eyes on The Prize that mentioned what black World War II veterans endured after putting their lives online. I don't know how people have dealt with fighting for freedom in Europe and coming home to Jim Crow laws.
“I appreciate that the company focuses on the history and pushes black people forward.”
Can you highlight a particular moment or scene from TrueFiktion's content that had a profound impact on you personally, and why?
I remember the first few pages of “Jude’s War”— especially the transition from the Normandy Beach scene to the scene in the house — being emotionally difficult to draw. I thought about the documentaries and the stories of what our ancestors had to deal with. [It was also great when] the scene of the World War II story of the soldier and the activists at the bar finally came together. It was a good scene of two elements coming together to work for a common goal. I loved that part. Drawing that was special. I wanted to handle it with the sensitivity and dignity that it required.
How does TrueFiktion contribute to a broader educational landscape, and what do you hope it adds to the learning experience of students and teachers alike?
I hope they get a sense of connection to history — especially student activists. I hope that they see that they’re not alone in their activism. They have stories to draw upon for hope and inspiration.
