New York City Public Schools Celebrate Milestone with Release of Two Millionth Comic Book

The New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) has reached a significant milestone in comic book distribution, with the release of the 24th and 25th comic books produced in-house by the Civics for All Comics Group. Schools Chancellor David C. Banks announced the publication of “Patsy Takemoto Mink” and “A Story in Every Object! An Asian American Comics Anthology,” marking the distribution of the two millionth comic book by the group.

“Patsy Takemoto Mink” tells the inspiring story of a third-generation Japanese American woman from Hawai’i who fought for Title IX and was an advocate for peace, civil rights, and environmental justice. The comic book was a collaboration with Gwendolyn Mink, daughter of Patsy Takemoto Mink, as well as writers Judy Tzu-Chun and Abigail Chun and illustrator Vian Nguyen.

“A Story in Every Object! An Asian American Comics Anthology” features six short personal histories by Asian American creators, shedding light on topics such as immigration, identity, and generational change. The anthology includes works by authors such as Greg Pak, Trung Le Nguyen, and Shing Yin Khor.

Schools Chancellor David C. Banks emphasized the importance of civics education in empowering students to become informed citizens and leaders. The Civics for All Comics Group aims to inspire the next generation of New Yorkers by introducing them to diverse voices and stories typically overlooked in textbooks.

The success of the NYCPS comic book distribution program has positioned the city among the top ten comic book distributors in the country. The group’s commitment to creating engaging and educational content has been recognized by authors, educators, and scholars alike.

All comic books created by the Civics for All Comics Group are available for free download, providing valuable resources for educators and students nationwide. The group’s work has been praised as a model for school systems around the world, highlighting the potential of comics and sequential narrative in education.

The publication of “Patsy Takemoto Mink” and “A Story in Every Object! An Asian American Comics Anthology” represents a significant achievement for NYCPS and the Civics for All Comics Group, showcasing the power of storytelling in educating and inspiring future generations.