By George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steve Scott & Harmony Becker (Top Shelf Productions/IDW)
ISBN: 978-1-603094-70-2 (Expanded HB) eISBN 978-1-684068-82-1-
TPB ISBN: 978-1-603094-50-4
This book contains Discriminatory Content from less enlightened times included for historical and dramatic veracity.
Graphic biographies are still a relatively new form for English-language comics, but the wealth and variety of material already available is truly breathtaking and laudable. This so timely exemplary example is a subtly understated yet deeply moving chronicle exploring the events and repercussions of a truly shameful moment in US history, as recalled and relived by a global icon of popular culture. He also happens to be one of that embattled democracy’s most ardent advocates of diversity, justice and equality and top-level activist in the arenas of LGBTQ and Asian-American rights.
George Takei initially celebrated and commemorated his life in prose autobiography To the Stars, but here, in collaboration with writers Justin Eisinger & Steven Scott and illustrator Harmony Becker, the Hollywood star deftly shifted focus to explore in painful and revelatory detail the early years of his life: a formative period spent as a non-person confined without cause behind barbed wire in his own country.
Recounted as non-linear, non-chronological episodes, the history and self-serving actions of American leaders – like Lt. General John L. DeWitt or Los Angeles Mayor Fletcher Bowron, who systematically stripped all people of Japanese ethnicity of their rights, livelihoods, possessions and autonomy – are seen through the eyes of a small child. Those observations inevitably shaped the actor into a crusading defender of democratic principles of later life.
I’d love to say that’s simply a thing of the past, but kids are still being locked in cages and families split up. It’s apparently something we humans just can’t stop doing…
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941, on February 19th 1942, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, dividing the country into military zones and effectively declaring all American citizens of Japanese origins enemy aliens. This led to their internment for the duration of the war across 10 isolated camps between the West Coast and Mississippi river.
In surprisingly fond recollections of camp life, we share the notions of baffled children – George, brother Henry, sister Nancy Reiko and many new pals – and the lasting, post-war consequences of divisively authoritarian stunts such as legally-binding loyalty pledges de-fanged and counterpointed by modern day discussions and triumphant moments of past injustices finally addressed.
As well as exposing the true price of dog-whistle politics and human cost of bowing to baying demagogues we see here a shameful period of state-sanctioned, opportunistic profiteering and proud racism in a tale that is a testament to human endurance, perseverance and innate dignity. Amidst the stomach churning, mostly bloodless horror are moments of delightful warmth and genuine humour, bolstered by actions of unsung humanitarian heroes like Takei’s own parents and pioneering civil rights lawyer Wayne M. Collins. Their tireless fortitude and resistance to state-sanctioned oppression, along with the efforts of countless others, offers inspiration and hope for all suffering similar restraint and abuse while sadly proving that some battles may never end. Just look at any headline with the word seeker, refugee or asylum in it and the sheer cost of protecting migrants anywhere on Earth today…
Also offering touching afterword ‘Making History’ by Takei, Eisinger, Scott & Becker; a Takei family photo album; reproduced Civilian Exclusion orders, street maps of the internment camp and chilling “Final accountability rosters” for Camp Rohwer & Camp Tule Lake, this book includes a detailed look at the process of creating it, with candid team photos, script pages, roughs and layouts, as well as press and convention shots of George collecting the numerous awards for his efforts. At the close, there’s a feature on how the book has transitioned to becoming an educational standby, acknowledgements and the always welcome creator biographies.
They Called Us Enemy is a compelling, beguiling and harshly informative account of injustice and unchecked ignorance endured with plenty of points as pertinent now as they ever were.
In 2020 this expanded edition was released with 16 pages of extra material in both physical hardback and digital volume.
They Called Us Enemy Expanded Edition © 2020 George Takei. All Rights Reserved.