Josh Neufeld

Josh Neufeld (born August 9, 1967) is an alternative cartoonist known for his nonfiction comics on subjects like Hurricane Katrina, international travel, and finance, as well as his collaborations with writers like Harvey Pekar and Brooke Gladstone. He is the writer/artist of A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge, and the illustrator of The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone on the Media.

Josh Neufeld
Neufeld at his drawing table, c. 2005.
BornJoshua Michael Rosler Neufeld
(1967-08-09) August 9, 1967
New York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Area(s)Cartoonist, Penciller
Notable works
A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge
The Influencing Machine
A Few Perfect Hours
American Splendor
CollaboratorsHarvey Pekar
Brooke Gladstone
Rob Walker
David Greenberger
AwardsKnight-Wallace Fellowship, 2012–2013
Xeric Award, 2004
http://www.JoshComix.com

Biography and career highlights

Born in New York to parents Leonard Neufeld and artist Martha Rosler, Neufeld spent most of his youth in California (San Diego and San Francisco), and then moved back to New York City during his teenage years. He graduated from the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School in 1985 and Oberlin College with a B.A. in Art History in 1989.[1] Shortly after graduating from college, he spent over a year backpacking with his then-girlfriend (now his wife) through Southeast Asia and Central Europe, and living for a period in the Czech Republic.[1]

As a child, Neufeld's influences were Belgian cartoonist Hergé's The Adventures of Tintin, Goscinny & Uderzo's Asterix,[1] and the Curt Swan-Murphy Anderson issues of Action Comics and Superman. Later in life, as he gravitated toward alternative comics, Neufeld was inspired by the writing and work of Scott McCloud, Chris Ware, and Dan Clowes; and the real-life stories of Joe Sacco, Harvey Pekar, and David Greenberger.

In 2010, Neufeld was invited to act as a representative of the United States Department of State's Speaker and Specialist program, which sends Americans abroad as cultural "ambassadors."[2] In March 2010, Neufeld spent two weeks in Burma as part of the program; in October he visited Egypt, Algeria, Bahrain, and Israel/Palestine as part of the same program.[3]

Neufeld was a 2012–2013 Knight-Wallace Fellow in journalism at the University of Michigan;[4] he was the first so-called "comics journalist" to be awarded a Knight-Wallace Fellowship.[5]

In October 2014, Neufeld was a Master Artist at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, where he led a three-week residency for mid-career cartoonists.[6]

Neufeld is also a comics educator. He is on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts,[7] and the summer faculty of Michigan State University.[8] He is the lead faculty mentor for the Comics & Graphic Narratives concentration at the Solstice Low-Residency MFA Program of Pine Manor College.[9] He was a visiting professor at CUNY Queens College in the spring of 2017, and returned in the same role in Spring 2020.[10]

Neufeld currently resides with his wife, the writer Sari Wilson, and their daughter, in Brooklyn, New York.

Works

Creator-owned titles

Neufeld was awarded a 2004 grant from the Xeric Foundation for his graphic novel, A Few Perfect Hours (and Other Stories From Southeast Asia & Central Europe), a collection of real-life stories about his travel experiences. He is the creator of the comic book series The Vagabonds (published by Alternative Comics), and co-creator (with high school friend Dean Haspiel) of Keyhole (Millennium/Modern and Top Shelf Productions) and (with R. Walker) Titans of Finance: True Tales of Money and Business (Alternative Comics).

A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge

In 2005, shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, Neufeld spent three weeks as an American Red Cross volunteer in Biloxi, Mississippi. The blog he kept about that experience turned into a self-published book, Katrina Came Calling (2006).[1] Later, Neufeld was asked to write the introduction to a book called Signs of Life: Surviving Katrina, a collection of photos of the hand-made signs that appeared in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina. Profits from sales of the book went two organizations still working in the area: Common Ground Relief and Hands On Network.

Main article: A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge

In 2007–2008, Neufeld wrote and drew A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge, an online graphic novel serialized on SMITH Magazine. A.D. tells the real stories of seven New Orleans residents and their experiences during and after Hurricane Katrina. A.D. received extensive press coverage, including in such venues as the Los Angeles Times,[11] the New Orleans Times-Picayune,[12] the Atlanta Journal-Constitution,[13] Rolling Stone, Wired.com,[14] BoingBoing,[15] the Toronto Star,[16] and National Public Radio's "News & Notes". Through this work, and his later collaboration, The Influencing Machine, Neufeld leads an intense reflection about the way the media treats information.[17]

In May 2008, it was announced that a four-color hardcover edition of A.D. would be published by Pantheon Graphic Novels.[18] The book included 25% more story and art, as well as extensive revisions to the material from the webcomic.[19] Debuting on August 18, 2009, shortly before Hurricane Katrina's fourth anniversary, A.D. went on to become a New York Times bestseller.[20]

Other publications

His comics have also been published in The Atavist, Cartoon Movement, World War 3 Illustrated, FSB, NEA Arts, mMode magazine, ReadyMade, The Village Voice, The Chicago Reader, In These Times, and many other venues. Neufeld's illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Nickelodeon Magazine, the Austin American-Statesman, the Washington City Paper, New York Press, ShuttleSheet, and many other publications.

Neufeld is one of the founding members of the online comics collective ACT-I-VATE. In 2014 he joined the comics collective Hang Dai Editions (of whose founding members was his long-time friend Dean Haspiel).[21]

Neufeld co-wrote the "motion comics" element of the ABC News documentary Earth 2100, which premiered on ABC on June 2, 2009. Neufeld worked on the sections of the documentary dealing with the fictional character "Lucy," who witnesses the apocalyptic effects of climate change and societal upheaval during the course of the 21st century.[22]

His comics were introduced in France through Angoulême's International Comic Festival in 2012 and 2015.[17]

Collaboration

Neufeld was a long-time artist for Pekar’s American Splendor, and has collaborated with many writers from outside the comics world, including poets, memoirists, and theatre groups. Other comics writers Neufeld has illustrated stories for include Pekar's wife Joyce Brabner (in American Splendor),[23] and Greenberger in Duplex Planet Illustrated (published by Fantagraphics),[24][25] R. Walker (in Titans of Finance),[26] and Peter Ross (in a self-published mini-comic called Mortgage Your Soul).[27][28]

Neufeld's collaborations with writers from outside the traditional comics world tend to be formalist and experimental in spirit. He has adapted a number of poet Nick Flynn's pieces into comics, which have appeared in various literary journals and websites.[29][30][31] Neufeld is an Associate Artist with the New York-based theatre collective The Civilians,[32] and has adapted portions of a number of their plays into comic book form. He has also collaborated with writer Eileen Myles,[33] and Neufeld's mother, artist Martha Rosler.[34][35] A special issue (subtitled "Of Two Minds") of Neufeld's comics series The Vagabonds was dedicated to his many collaborations.[36]

Most recently, Neufeld collaborated with journalist Brooke Gladstone, co-host of WNYC radio's On the Media. Their book, published by W.W. Norton, is titled The Influencing Machine[37] and was released in May 2011. Gladstone describes the book as "a treatise on the relationship between us and the news media, . . . a manifesto on the role of the press in American history as told through a cartoon version of [me] that would preside over each page."[38]

Selected bibliography

Neufeld's website features a complete bibliography.

Graphic novels and creator-owned works
  • The Vagabonds (issues #1-2 Alternative Comics, 2003–2006; issues #3–6 Hang Dai Productions, 2014-2018)
  • (as co-editor with Sari Wilson) Flashed: Sudden Stories in Comics and Prose (Pressgang, 2016) ISBN 978-0990636427
  • (with Brooke Gladstone) The Influencing Machine (W. W. Norton & Company, 2011) ISBN 978-0393077797
  • A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge (SMITH Magazine 2007–2008; Pantheon, 2009) ISBN 978-0-307-37814-9
  • A Few Perfect Hours (and Other Stories From Southeast Asia & Central Europe) (self-published through a grant from the Xeric Foundation, 2004) ISBN 978-1-891867-79-8
  • (with writer R. Walker) Titans of Finance (Alternative Comics, 2001) ISBN 978-1-891867-05-7
  • (with Dean Haspiel) Keyhole (issues #1-4 Millennium/Modern, 1996–1997; issues #5–6 Top Shelf Productions, 1998)

Comics journalism stories
  • "A brief introduction to differential privacy: A data protection plan for the 2020 census," Journalist's Resource (Mar. 23, 2020)
  • "A Graphic Guide to the 2020 US Census," Journalist's Resource (Dec. 2, 2019)
  • "Still Life: Thinking Outside the Casket," The Nib (Nov. 8, 2018)
  • "The Trump-Russia memos: a graphic account of the so-called ‘dossier’ that had the media world buzzing," Columbia Journalism Review (Fall 2017)
  • "Why We Break Our Stuff Accidentally-on-Purpose," Harvard Business School Working Knowledge (March 29, 2017)
  • "Costumed Chaos in Times Square: The infamous street Elmos of NYC fight for their right to take selfies with tourists," The Nib (Sept. 26, 2016)
  • "The Secret Life of Emojis," The Boston Globe (March 11, 2016)
  • (with Adam Bessie) "A Scanner Constantly,” Pacific Standard (Feb. 8, 2016)
  • (with Alia Malek and Peter van Agtmael) "The Road to Germany: $2400," Foreign Policy (Jan./Feb. 2016)
  • (co-written with Michael Keller) "Fare Game: Taking the Rating Economy for a Ride," co-written with Michael Keller; Al Jazeera America (Dec. 19, 2015)
  • "Where are they now? Revisiting 4 Katrina survivors 10 years later," Fusion (Aug. 28, 2015)
  • (with Adam Bessie) "Notification: You’ve Got Cancer," The Boston Globe (July 2, 2015)
  • (with Martha Rosler) "Gift to the World,” The Art of Saving a Life (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Feb. 2015)
  • "Crossing the Line: Racial Profiling at the U.S. Border," Medium/The Nib (Jan. 5, 2015)
  • (co-written with Michael Keller) "Terms of Service: Understanding Our Role in the World of Big Data," Al Jazeera America (Oct. 30, 2014)
  • (with Adam Bessie) "The School is Not a Pipe" Truthout (Feb. 7, 2014)
  • "SuperStorm Stories: a Red Hook Family," Medium/The Nib (Oct. 29, 2013)
  • "Türk Cayi,” The Journal of the Knight-Wallace Fellows of the University of Michigan (2013)
  • "Adventures in Comics Journalism," Mint's "The Small Picture" (2013)
  • "The Bitumen Junket," The Journal of the Knight-Wallace Fellows of the University of Michigan (2012)
  • (with Tori Marlan) "Stowaway," Atavist (May 2012)
  • "Bahrain: Lines in Ink, Lines in the Sand," Cartoon Movement (Dec. 8, 2011)
  • (with Martha Rosler) "Scenes From an Illicit War: From Planet Invisible," System Error: War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning (Silvana Editoriale, 2007)
  • (with Harvey Pekar) "Global Warming," American Splendor (vol. 2) #2 (Vertigo, 2008)
  • (with R. Walker) "Titans of Finance: Hoodoo," Drawn Bits (2002)
  • (with R. Walker) "Titans of Finance: The Comic Book Villain," EXPO 2000 (2000)
  • (with Harvey Pekar) "Stupid Capitalists," Green Magazine (Winter 2000)
  • (with R. Walker) "Titans of Finance: Look the Part," SPX’99: The Comic (1999)
  • (with R. Walker) "Titans of Finance: Ask Jay," Small Press Expo (1997)
  • (with Harvey Pekar) "Andy Statman," The Village Voice (1996)

Awards
  • 2018 CASE Circle of Excellence Award (Bronze Medal: Writing for the Web). For “The Story of Why Humans Are So Careless with Their Phones” (Harvard Business School Working Knowledge)
  • 2018 American Society of Business Publication Editors (National First Place Award). For “The Story of Why Humans Are So Careless with Their Phones” (Harvard Business School Working Knowledge)
  • 2016 (nomination) One World Media Press Award, One World Media, London, England, UK. For “The Road to Germany: $2400” (Foreign Policy)
  • 2015 Economic Hardship Reporting Project Grant, Institute for Policy Studies, Washington, D.C. For “AD10K” (Fusion)
  • 2015 EPPY Award (Best Innovation Project on a Website), Editor & Publisher, New York City. For Terms of Service
  • 2014 Master Artist, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, Florida
  • 2012 Knight-Wallace Fellowship in Journalism at the University of Michigan
  • 2012 (nomination) Eisner Award for Best Digital Comic ("Bahrain: Lines in Ink, Lines in the Sand")[39]
  • 2010 (nomination) Harvey Award for Best Previously Published Graphic Album (A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge)[40]
  • 2010 (nomination) Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album-Reprint (A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge)[41]
  • 2010 (nomination) Harry Chapin Media Award in the Book category (A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge)[42]
  • 2004 Xeric Award for A Few Perfect Hours (and Other Stories from Southeast Asia & Central Europe)
  • (nomination) 1997 Ignatz Award for Outstanding Comic (Keyhole)
  • 1996 CAAP (Chicago Arts Assistance Program) Grant, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

Notes
  1. Richardson, Clem. "Comics Artist Has Serious Mission," New York Daily News (June 23, 2006). Accessed Feb. 24, 2009.
  2. Cavna, Michael. "State Dept. sends Katrina cartoonist JOSH NEUFELD to Mideast to 'showcase cultural freedoms'," "Comic Riffs" column, Washington Post online (Oct. 8, 2010).
  3. Rogers, Vaneta. "State Dept. Brings U.S. Creators to Algerian Comics Festival," Newsarama (Nov. 30, 2010).
  4. Arrant, Chris. "Cartoonist Josh Neufeld receives Knight-Wallace Fellowship in Journalism," Comic Book Resources: Robot 6 (May 11, 2012).
  5. Spurgeon, Tom. "Cartoonist Josh Neufeld Win UM Knight-Wallace Fellowship," Comics Reporter (May 11, 2012).
  6. "Josh Neufeld, Graphic Novelist," Archived 2014-10-23 at the Wayback Machine Atlantic Center for the Arts website. Accessed Oct. 22, 2014.
  7. "Cartoonist, Comics Journalist Josh Neufeld," School of Visual Arts faculty website. Retrieved Apr. 22, 2020.
  8. "Josh Neufeld: MSU School of Journalism," Michigan State University website. Retrieved Apr. 22, 2020.
  9. "Comics & Graphic Narratives," MFA in Creative Writing section of Pine Manor College website. Retrieved Apr. 22, 2020.
  10. "Josh Neufeld," Queens College Department of English website. Retrieved Apr. 22, 2020.
  11. Boucher, Geoff (August 27, 2007). "A flood of emotions in a Katrina comics serial." Los Angeles Times.
  12. MacCash, Doug (August 27, 2007). "Comic-book Katrina." New Orleans Times-Picayune
  13. Rajagopalan, Megha (August 25, 2007). "Words and Pictures: Online strips will make you think." Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  14. Jatras, Todd (May 1, 2007). "Following New Orleans After the Deluge." Wired.com
  15. Frauenfelder, Mark (June 7, 2007). "Webcomic about Hurricane Katrina." BoingBoing
  16. Mudhar, Raju (August 19, 2007). "Katrina captured on the computer screen." Toronto Star
  17. Kuhn-Kenned, Fleur & Daniel Kennedy. "L'oeil du Cyclone," L'Intermède (Feb. 2015) (in French)
  18. "Pantheon to Publish A.D.:New Orleans After the Deluge: Josh Neufeld's Real-Life Saga," ICv2, May 8, 2008. Retrieved on June 4, 2008.
  19. Jaffe, Sarah. "Webcomics: Josh Neufeld & A.D., Newsarama (Jan. 29, 2009). Archived 2009-02-01 at the Wayback Machine Accessed Apr. 20, 2009.
  20. "Graphic Books: Hardcover Graphic Books," New York Times (September 3, 2009).
  21. "Josh Neufeld Joins Hang Dai Editions, Brings Comics Journalism The Vagabonds To MoCCA Fest," Bleeding Cool (March 13, 2014).
  22. Marschall, Rick. "Comic Creators Play Big Role In Tonight’s ‘Earth 2100’ Special," SplashPage MTV (June 2, 2009).
  23. "Be Careful Not to Pull too Hard on Loose Ends" (story by Brabner), American Splendor: Windfall #2 (Dark Horse, 1995).
  24. "Pivot" (story by Greenberger), Duplex Planet Illustrated #10, (Fantagraphics, 1995)
  25. "Ed Veshecco, Manhole Guard" (story by Greenberger), Duplex Planet Illustrated #12 (Fantagraphics, 1995)
  26. McGeehan, Patrick. "Dumbed Down on Wall St.: Junk Finance, With Pictures," New York Times (June 3, 2001).
  27. Row, Heath. "From the Reading Pile XIV: Part 2," Heath Row's Media Diet (November 29, 2002).
  28. Spurgeon, Tom. "Minimalism Archives #11 -- Round-Up: Once and For All We Have Decided to Side with the Many Minimalism," The Comics Reporter (December 24, 2004).
  29. "Bag of Mice" (adaptation of Flynn poem), World Literature Today (Mar-Apr. 2007).
  30. "Father Outside" (adaptation of Flynn poem), The Common Review (Fall 2004).
  31. "Cartoon Physics, Part I" (adaptation of Flynn poem), CrossRoads: The Journal of the Poetry Society of America (Fall 2001).
  32. "The Company," The Civilians website. Accessed May 26, 2009.
  33. Provincetown Arts (2001).
  34. "Scenes From an Illicit War: From Planet Invisible" (story by Rosler) System Error: War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning (Silvana Editoriale, 2007)
  35. "Our Future?", a billboard produced for the show "How Many Billboards," put on by the MAK Center in 2010.
  36. The Vagabonds #2: "Of Two Minds" (Alternative Comics, October 2006).
  37. Publisher's Lunch, week of May 24, 2009, Publisher's Marketplace.
  38. Neyfakh, Leon. "Norton Buys Graphic Media Manifesto," New York Observer (May 26, 2009).
  39. Press release. "Nominees Announced for 2012 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards: Selections Reflect Wide Diversity in Industry," Archived 2012-04-07 at the Wayback Machine San Diego Comic Con International website (Apr. 4, 2012).
  40. "2010 HARVEY AWARDS Nominees Announced," Newsarama (July 12, 2010).
  41. "2010 Eisner Nominations Encompass Wide Range of Works," Archived 2008-09-07 at WebCite Comic-Con website (Apr. 2010)
  42. "Harry Chapin Media Awards Finalists Announced," Archived 2010-06-29 at the Wayback Machine WHY website (April 15, 2010).

References
Sourced consulted
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