Interview with Miriam Libicki for the GraphicMemoirBlog: The art of translating Holocaust survivor stories into comics

In September 2025, Jonathan Sandler, host of the GraphicMemoirBlog and author of The English GI (2022), interviewed SCVN graphic artist Miriam Libicki in a blog feature titled ‘A Conversation with Miriam Libicki: WWII Graphic Memoirs’. They discussed her previous SCVN collaboration with Barbara Yelin, Gilad Seliktar, and Dr. Charlotte Schallié in But I Live: Three Stories of Child Survivors of the Holocaust (2022), and her forthcoming publication Two Roses: A Story of Deception and Determination in Nazi Germany (2026).

Jonathan and Miriam discussed the ways in which graphic novels can be used as research and storytelling tools for Holocaust education and to honour the voices of survivors. As Jonathan highlighted, Miriam worked from transcripts and shaped narratives that stay faithful to the survivors’ words, such as David Schaffer, where “every word in that book is his… the story is his voice.” Through comics, the stories convey information about survivor experiences while providing a safe and supportive learning environment.

In this interview, Miriam also shared her experience working closely with Holocaust survivors and the impact of the narratives on her art, describing her collaborations as “transformative.” To her, David’s story felt like “something out of dark fairy tales”, leading her to develop a watercolour style that would “evoke the living, threatening natural world.”

Inspired by early 20th-century children’s illustrations, she used watercolours “to set apart from the monochrome charcoal styles often associated with Holocaust art.” The illustrations in her SCVN graphic narratives also reflect different influences, ranging from Will Eisner to Japanese manga and Canadian comics, that supported her journey in both projects.

In her narratives, she has been drawn to first-person stories and particular points of view, and believes:

Comics are a powerful tool for empathy. Even if you disagree, you can still be compelled by the perspective.

Thank you to Jonathan for interviewing with Miriam and sharing insights into her artistic process and collaboration with SCVN!

Read the full interview here.