Each year, 20th June marks World Refugee Day, the international day to honour people who have been forced to flee.
Refugees from the terrors of war and persecution, and disasters such as famine, have always stirred mixed reaction, not all of it positive. In fractured times, messages of solidarity are ever more vital – and an issue even superheroes have been called on to address, for many years.
In 1960, marking “World Refugees Year”, which celebrated the closing of the last refugee camps from World War Two, Superman was utilised for a US Public Service Announcement comic strip titled “Lend a Friendly Hand,” written by Jack Schiff and drawn by Curt Swan.
A refugee himself, from Krypton – as many have noted in modern times – Superman teaches two young boys a powerful lesson about understanding the plight of refugees, showing them first-hand some of the harsh conditions that exist around the world.
It wasn’t the first time a DC superhero was called on to deliver a powerful message of inclusion over hate. Working with the National Social Welfare Assembly, DC Comics (then, National Comics) first began publishing their long running series of public service messages in the 1940s, using its characters in the pages of its comic books.
The National Social Welfare Assembly Comics Project lasted from August 1949 to July 1967 and produced over 200 comic pages promoting citizenship and social values. The one-page social message comics appeared in 10 million magazines a month with an estimated readership of 40 million.
Schiff was the author of these comics from the inception of the series until he retired. Jack Liebowitz, president of National Comics, felt that the project could not continue without Schiff, bringing it to an end. For his efforts in promoting diversity, peace, service, brotherhood, and understanding, Schiff received awards from the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the American Heritage Foundation.
A committee of experts from social agencies developed the concepts, messages, and scripts. Then, editors and artists at National Comics created and printed the comic pages.
Reprints of selected pages were also distributed to teachers, counsellors, librarians, social agencies, and civic groups and used as stand-alone teaching tools.
Batman and Robin featured in one early Public Service Announcement, published in various DC Comics, “Stand Up for Sportsmanship”, also written by Jack Schiff, drawn by Win Mortimer.
The comic was published as the US, like other countries, was dealing with the worldwide refugee crisis that saw the displacement of thousands after World War Two.
Batman’s message has been recirculated as a meme online since, anfd now, if you didn’t already, you know where it originally appeared.
In 1949, DC also produced a 12 x 18” brown paper school book cover distributed to schools by the Institute for American Democracy, an offshoot of the Anti-Defamation League. While the author of Superman’s reminder of inclusion for all is unknown, the art is believed to be by noted Superman artist Wayne Boring, and was repurposed as a full colour poster in the 1950s, and, in 2017, digitally restored and recirculated by DC Comics online.
The National Social Welfare Assembly Comics Project strips, and similar work across the globe over several decades, reflect the hopes still very much part of the mission of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and other organisations.
Together, we can champion their right to seek safety, build support for their economic and social inclusion, and advocate for solutions to their plight.
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe, celebrating the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. Held globally for the first time on 20th June 2001 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, it was originally known as Africa Refugee Day, before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000.
Each year, World Refugee Day is marked by a variety of events in many countries around the globe in support of refugees. These activities are led by or involve refugees themselves, government officials, host communities, companies, celebrities and school children among others.
• National Social Welfare Assembly Comics Project | Article by Linnea M. Anderson, Archivist, Social Welfare History Archives, University of Minnesota
• Find out more about World Refugee Day here on the UNHCR UK site
• The Refugee Council is a UK refugee charity
Refugees have fled war, violence and persecution. They have been forced to leave everything behind. Most of us can’t imagine starting over in a new community after such loss. Refugees may not know anyone in Britain. They may not speak the language. Together with community groups, partners and volunteers, the Council help people who have escaped war and persecution to rebuild their lives, integrate into communities, and play their part in Britain.
• Refugee Action helps people who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes, getting them the basic support they need to live again with dignity. Then they help them build safe, happy and productive lives in the UK
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Comics, downthetubes News, Features, US Comics
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