Exhibit focuses on contributions of Jewish creators

The Columbus, Ga., Ledger-Enquirer spotlights an exhibit at Atlanta's William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum dedicated to Golden Age comics, and their creators, many of whom were Jewish. Called "ZAP! POW! BAM! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938—1950," the exhibit boasts original comic book art, memorabilia and Hollywood serials featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America and other World War II-era heroes.

"A host of these comic books were created by Jewish artists who couldn't get 'respectable' jobs," the museum's marketing director, Haven Hawley, told the newspaper.

Artist Jerry Robinson, one of three men who claims credit for creating the Joker, remembers the era: "At that time there was a lot of prejudice and Jews were excluded from other professions, so they turned to art where it was not discriminatory. And where they couldn't get published in some more conventional magazines, they could get published in the comics."