Paul Karasik
Biography
Paul Karasik, born in 1956 in Washington, D.C., is a distinguished American cartoonist, editor, and educator renowned for his significant contributions to the world of comics. He graduated from the Pratt Institute in 1981 and further honed his craft at the School of Visual Arts in New York, studying under luminaries such as Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, and Art Spiegelman.
In the early 1980s, Karasik served as the associate editor for the influential comics anthology RAW, collaborating closely with Art Spiegelman and Françoise Mouly. During this period, he co-edited the publication Bad News alongside Mark Newgarden, featuring works from prominent cartoonists.
Together, Karasik and Newgarden authored the seminal essay "How to Read Nancy," which deconstructs Ernie Bushmiller's comic strip to reveal the mechanics of visual storytelling. This essay was later expanded into a comprehensive book, How to Read Nancy, published in 2017, which won an Eisner Award in 2018 for “Best Comics-Related Book.”
In 1994, Karasik collaborated with artist David Mazzucchelli to adapt Paul Auster's novel City of Glass into a graphic novel. This adaptation has been acclaimed as one of the "100 Best Comics of the 20th Century" by The Comics Journal and has been translated into multiple languages.
Beyond his creative endeavors, Karasik is a dedicated educator, having taught at institutions such as the Rhode Island School of Design, Boston University, and the School of Visual Arts. Internationally, he has lectured and conducted workshops in France, Denmark, and Italy, sharing his expertise in comics creation and analysis.
Karasik's editorial work includes anthologizing the complete works of Golden Age cartoonist Fletcher Hanks in volumes such as I Shall Destroy All the Civilized Planets! and You Shall Die by Your Evil Creation! The former won a 2008 Eisner Award for “Best Archival Collection/Project.”
His contributions to the field extend to co-authoring The Ride Together: A Memoir of Autism in the Family with his sister, Judy Karasik. This work employs alternating prose and comic chapters to narrate their experiences growing up with an autistic brother and was named the Best Literary Work of the Year by the Autism Society of America.
Karasik's cartoons and essays have appeared in prestigious publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, showcasing his versatility and insight as a cartoonist and writer.
Residing on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Karasik continues to influence the comics medium through his creative works, teaching, and scholarly contributions, inspiring both readers and aspiring cartoonists worldwide.
