Acclaimed cartoonist Derf Backderf appears on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM discusses his new book about a little-known but volatile period in American history and the political cartoonists who stood up to power.
Derf Backderf, Ohio State alum and award-winning creator of the graphic novels My Friend Dahmer and Kent State, returns to campus to discuss his brand-new book, The Dissidents: Autocrats! Vigilantes! Communists! … and Cartoonists!, about racism, violence, and political turmoil in early 20th-century America.
It’s 1916 and the deeply divisive authoritarian and white supremacist President Woodrow Wilson sits in the White House. Racial tensions, economic inequality, growing support for unions, and the rise of both a far-right militia and a radical opposition are shaking the foundations of our society. Against this backdrop, a group of political cartoonists for the socialist magazine The Masses documents the tumultuous world around them in their cartoons and illustrations. For this so-called crime the cartoonists are indicted for sedition and put on trial by the US government, with 20-year sentences hanging over their heads.
Backderf, who began his career as a journalist and political cartoonist, captures this momentous but often overlooked period in our history while making connections to current events that unfortunately echo those of the past. (program approx. 60 mins.)
Backderf will sign books in the Wexner Center lower lobby following the talk.
Presented in collaboration with the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum and Cartoon Crossroads Columbus.
Click here to purchase tickets.
