HOW 9/11 SHAPED THE WORLD OF COMICS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 23, 2025

THE 9/11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM EXPLORES HOW 9/11 SHAPED THE WORLD OF COMICS WITH ACCLAIMED ARTISTS JOHN ROMITA JR. AND EDGARDO MIRANDA-RODRIGUEZ

Comic books evolved into an unexpected lens for understanding grief, heroism, and recovery

New York, NY – Twenty-four years after The Amazing Spider-Man #36 became a symbol of hope rising from the ashes of 9/11, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum brought together the legendary artists who wielded their pens not just to tell stories, but to fund recovery and demonstrate that comic books could be instruments of real-world healing. The public program, Intersections: Comic Books, Philanthropy, and 9/11, hosted by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum explored how that momentous creative act sparked a movement of artists using sequential art as a force for empathy, resilience, and change.

The in-person and virtual event featured acclaimed comic book artists John Romita Jr. and Edgardo Miranda-Rodríguez in conversation with Alejandro Victoria, Vice President of People & Culture at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. 

Following 9/11, legendary Marvel artist John Romita Jr. used his craft to honor those affected and raise funds for victims’ families through The Amazing Spider-Man #36: The Black Issue. The issue, which is instantly recognizable for its somber black cover, depicted Spider-Man and other Marvel heroes confronting the devastation of Ground Zero. Partial proceeds from the sales of The Amazing Spider-Man #36 were donated to support the families of first responders and victims.

“We wanted to do more than tell a story,” said Romita Jr. “We wanted to help the people whose courage inspired it. Every page was a tribute and a promise that their heroism would never be forgotten.  And the only way I knew how to respond was through art. With The Amazing Spider-Man #36, we wanted to show that even our fictional heroes stand in awe of the real ones: the firefighters, police officers, and everyday people who showed unimaginable courage. Comics have always been about hope, and after 9/11, that hope took on a very real, very human face.”

Since that landmark publication, comic books have become a powerful means of storytelling, documentation, and philanthropy. Artists like Edgardo Miranda-Rodríguez, creator of La Borinqueña, have carried that legacy forward by using the medium to promote empathy, raise funds for humanitarian causes, and inspire resilience through representation.

“Storytelling is one of our greatest tools for healing and remembrance,” said Miranda-Rodríguez. “Through comics, we can preserve the emotions, the lessons, and the humanity of moments like 9/11 in ways that connect generations. Philanthropy and art go hand in hand. When we tell these stories with compassion, we not only honor the past but inspire others to act with empathy and purpose in the present.”

Comics remain a cultural mirror for how society processes trauma and recovery. In the months after 9/11, dozens of mainstream and independent comic titles, from Captain America to X-Men, acknowledged the tragedy, many offering proceeds to relief funds. The Museum’s own collection includes several of these rare issues, reflecting how artists and fans turned to this visual storytelling form to find meaning, solidarity, and hope.

“This program underscores the Museum’s ongoing commitment to exploring the lasting impact of 9/11 while highlighting the many ways individuals and communities find strength and meaning in its aftermath,” said Vice President of People & Culture Alejandro Victoria. “Through the lens of comic book storytelling, we can see how artists have helped people process loss, celebrate courage, and ensure the lessons of 9/11 continue to inspire hope across generations.

This event is part of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s public programs that explore a range of topics reflecting on the ongoing impacts and continued resonance of the attacks, their historical context, and their aftermath. The programs are available in person and online during the Spring & Fall and more information about this free program series can be found here.

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ABOUT THE 9/11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is the country’s principal institution concerned with exploring 9/11, documenting its impact, and examining its continuing significance. This mission is advanced through commemoration, education, and inspiration. Located on eight of the 16 acres of the World Trade Center site, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum remembers and honors the 2,983 lives lost on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. Through exhibitions, a wide variety of programs, and commemorative events, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum seeks to educate the public – particularly the 100 million Americans born since the attacks – about the consequences of terrorism and its impact on individuals and communities. Through preserving and sharing stories of resilience, compassion, and courage, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum hopes to inspire individuals to build a more compassionate and secure world. For more information or to reserve a ticket to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, please visit 911memorial.org.