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"I was completely charmed by the 'Hereville' series. It’s a wonderful vehicle for a
coming-of-age story with a female protagonist who’s both relatable and likable."
Rabbi Joshua Breindel
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"Without a doubt, this is the best graphic novel of 2010 for kids. Bar none."
Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal
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"Unique, laugh-out-loud funny, and thoroughly engrossing. Sequel, please!"
Tanya Auger, Horn Book Magazine
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"Mirka is the heroine that girlhood dreams are made of… Hereville is pure enchantment."
Barbara M. Moon, School Library Journal
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"Deutsch creates a beautiful, detail-rich world with a muted, ethereal palette that
masterfully blends faith and fantasy with astounding harmony. Undoubtedly one of
the cleverest graphic novels of the year."
Kirkus Reviews
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"This is a terrific story, told with skill and lots of heart, that readers of all ages will enjoy."
Publishers Weekly
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"I have finally fallen in love with my first graphic novel… the perfect bat mitzvah gift."
Sonja Bolle, Los Angeles Times
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"An elegant, subtle examination into the gender roles, deep religious roots, and everyday
cultural elements of an Orthodox Jewish society, while also being a witty,
enormously clever adventure quest... "
The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
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"Comics, and the rest of the world, for that matter, need more girl heroes like Mirka.
She will have readers cheering for her every step of the way. "
Raina Telgemeier
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"Author/illustrator Barry Deutsch offers up a mitzvah — a graphic novel which has joy,
style, lots of Yiddishkeit, adventure, and magic."
Jane Yolen
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"What do you get when you cross Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Isaac Bashevis Singer?"
The Washington Post
Fascinating and wondrous, great storytelling so far, excellent art and character dev. – I can’t wait for the next page. (I know, I know – Paypal!)
I’m hooked – thanks!
Fascinating and wondrous, great storytelling so far, excellent art and character dev. – I can’t wait for the next page. (I know, I know – Paypal!)
I’m hooked – thanks!
Thanks!
It’s fine not to hit the paypal (although hitting the paypal is welcome too, of course) — at this point I’m so happy just to have readers! 🙂
Thanks!
It’s fine not to hit the paypal (although hitting the paypal is welcome too, of course) — at this point I’m so happy just to have readers! 🙂
This is amazing so far. I really admire how you’ve got the characters and the community across in barely two decades of pages! Am rather looking forward to seeing her get her sword and am very pleased to have found a new comic that is so interesting – rejoice, for a new addition to my links page has been found!
This is amazing so far. I really admire how you’ve got the characters and the community across in barely two decades of pages! Am rather looking forward to seeing her get her sword and am very pleased to have found a new comic that is so interesting – rejoice, for a new addition to my links page has been found!
Thanks so much, Flolrence! I hope you keep enjoying it.
Thanks so much, Flolrence! I hope you keep enjoying it.
wow, this rocks! I’m just wondering what era this is supposed to take place in, or if it’s in some sort of anachronistic parallel dimension. that being said, i love how you pepper the text with yiddish and hebrew (or yiddishized hebrew). Finally those Yiddish classes are coming in handy. ^_^
wow, this rocks! I’m just wondering what era this is supposed to take place in, or if it’s in some sort of anachronistic parallel dimension. that being said, i love how you pepper the text with yiddish and hebrew (or yiddishized hebrew). Finally those Yiddish classes are coming in handy. ^_^
Thanks, Aurie!
I do know when and where “Hereville” takes place, but for now I think I’m going to keep that knowledge to myself, and let readers discover it in story.
Those Yiddish classes would be even handier to you if I didn’t provide the translations. 🙂 But yes, I love sticking the bits of Yiddish in. and I really hope the readers enjoy it, too. Donna Barr often include bits of German into her comics, and I always thought that was neat.
Thanks, Aurie!
I do know when and where “Hereville” takes place, but for now I think I’m going to keep that knowledge to myself, and let readers discover it in story.
Those Yiddish classes would be even handier to you if I didn’t provide the translations. 🙂 But yes, I love sticking the bits of Yiddish in. and I really hope the readers enjoy it, too. Donna Barr often include bits of German into her comics, and I always thought that was neat.
I am really enjoying this! I love your drawing style, and look forward to new pages every week. It is also very refreshing to read matter-of-fact portrayals of Jewish life that don’t use a kippa just to add “diversity” without thinking through how Jewishness should influence the behavior of the character.
I am really enjoying this! I love your drawing style, and look forward to new pages every week. It is also very refreshing to read matter-of-fact portrayals of Jewish life that don’t use a kippa just to add “diversity” without thinking through how Jewishness should influence the behavior of the character.
I would glomp you if you weren’t a guy, but – *shrug* I’m shomer negiyah.
It’s SO NICE to see a comic about an Orthodox girl, and the fact that it has good art is such a bonus! I can’t wait to see how you explain trolls and dragons and fantasy stuff like that in a Jewish way. And how do you get away with living in Portland, Oregon? Is there a Jewish community there? Here’s the kicker – are you Jewish in the first place?
I would glomp you if you weren’t a guy, but – *shrug* I’m shomer negiyah.
It’s SO NICE to see a comic about an Orthodox girl, and the fact that it has good art is such a bonus! I can’t wait to see how you explain trolls and dragons and fantasy stuff like that in a Jewish way. And how do you get away with living in Portland, Oregon? Is there a Jewish community there? Here’s the kicker – are you Jewish in the first place?
This is awesome! I hope you don’t mind if I send it to a few friends.
This is awesome! I hope you don’t mind if I send it to a few friends.
Jane and rglightyear, thanks! Please keep reading. And RG, I hope you do tell your friends!
Yochva, thanks to you too! I’ll consider myself given some short-of-glomping expression of affection. 🙂 Most of the characters in Hereville are shomer negiyah too, but nothing in this story required me to explain that; it may come up in the next story, which will focus on one of Mirka’s older sisters.
It’ll probably be a while before the rules for gentile monsters, like trolls and dragons, are explained in Hereville — although I do hint at it a little in this storyline. And of course, traditionally Jewish supernatural creatures will eventually show up; I have a story about a dybbuk in the back of my mind.
I am Jewish, although I’m not at all frum. And yes, there is a Jewish community in Portland, although it’s not huge. 🙂
Jane and rglightyear, thanks! Please keep reading. And RG, I hope you do tell your friends!
Yochva, thanks to you too! I’ll consider myself given some short-of-glomping expression of affection. 🙂 Most of the characters in Hereville are shomer negiyah too, but nothing in this story required me to explain that; it may come up in the next story, which will focus on one of Mirka’s older sisters.
It’ll probably be a while before the rules for gentile monsters, like trolls and dragons, are explained in Hereville — although I do hint at it a little in this storyline. And of course, traditionally Jewish supernatural creatures will eventually show up; I have a story about a dybbuk in the back of my mind.
I am Jewish, although I’m not at all frum. And yes, there is a Jewish community in Portland, although it’s not huge. 🙂
Wow! I will certainly pass this on to a friend of mine who is a Jewish webcomics fan! Thanks!
Wow! I will certainly pass this on to a friend of mine who is a Jewish webcomics fan! Thanks!
I gotta say that I’m loving your storytelling, and the art fits perfectly with the storytelling style. Its nice to come across religion in a comic that isn’t just used as a punchline too. Keep up the great work, you’ve gained another avid reader.
I gotta say that I’m loving your storytelling, and the art fits perfectly with the storytelling style. Its nice to come across religion in a comic that isn’t just used as a punchline too. Keep up the great work, you’ve gained another avid reader.
Thank you, Robin and Brendan! It feels really nice to gain readers, so please stick around.
Thank you, Robin and Brendan! It feels really nice to gain readers, so please stick around.
This is very interesting, I do like your style, it looks European as opposed to American.
This is very interesting, I do like your style, it looks European as opposed to American.
I stumbled upon your site and got attracted by your art and stunned by the story. Keep it up, I will certainly stick to this webcomic.
I stumbled upon your site and got attracted by your art and stunned by the story. Keep it up, I will certainly stick to this webcomic.
Manda, that’s interesting. I think of myself as having a very American style — but alternative-comics American, not superhero-American. But if it turns out that I’m Euro, I wouldn’t mind that. 🙂 Glad you like it.
Marcos, thank you!
Manda, that’s interesting. I think of myself as having a very American style — but alternative-comics American, not superhero-American. But if it turns out that I’m Euro, I wouldn’t mind that. 🙂 Glad you like it.
Marcos, thank you!
I just found your comic today, April 1, through a link that I pursued because I have the day off and I’ve been using the computer to avoid housework. Thank you for a wonderful comic, I shall recommend it to others.
I just found your comic today, April 1, through a link that I pursued because I have the day off and I’ve been using the computer to avoid housework. Thank you for a wonderful comic, I shall recommend it to others.
I wanted to tell you that as a Jew myself, I find this strip very entertaining. I can only repeat what has been said so far, that the art and story telling is fantastic and I can’t wait to read more. By the way, your ads are working. I found your site through an ad on another strip. Chavua Tov.
I wanted to tell you that as a Jew myself, I find this strip very entertaining. I can only repeat what has been said so far, that the art and story telling is fantastic and I can’t wait to read more. By the way, your ads are working. I found your site through an ad on another strip. Chavua Tov.
This is looking cool, I can’t wait to see more.
This is looking cool, I can’t wait to see more.
I just stumbled across this, and it’s stunning so far. The bold lines and shading techniques in the art remind me of Crumb — the storytelling reminds me of Persepolis. Vaunted company, and this is a comic I’ll be sure to share with others! I just wish the updates were a hair more frequent …
I just stumbled across this, and it’s stunning so far. The bold lines and shading techniques in the art remind me of Crumb — the storytelling reminds me of Persepolis. Vaunted company, and this is a comic I’ll be sure to share with others! I just wish the updates were a hair more frequent …
Thanks, Ritaxis, Michael, Dani and Kat! I hope you all stick around.
Ritaxis, glad to help you procrastinate. 🙂 Half the stuff I read, I read while I’m trying to delay getting work done.
Kat, I wish I’d update more often too — but I’m slow, and I have a day job! 🙂 I’ve decided to give myself a HUGE lead time rather than publish twice a week, so I can absolutely guarantee that I won’t miss a single update in 2008.
One of my goals for 2009 is to up my speed to the point of doing two pages a week. We’ll see if I can actually do that, though.
Thanks, Ritaxis, Michael, Dani and Kat! I hope you all stick around.
Ritaxis, glad to help you procrastinate. 🙂 Half the stuff I read, I read while I’m trying to delay getting work done.
Kat, I wish I’d update more often too — but I’m slow, and I have a day job! 🙂 I’ve decided to give myself a HUGE lead time rather than publish twice a week, so I can absolutely guarantee that I won’t miss a single update in 2008.
One of my goals for 2009 is to up my speed to the point of doing two pages a week. We’ll see if I can actually do that, though.
I loved reading your story (so far). Your Jewish visuals/language are pretty impressive, but I feel compelled to nitpick!
1) as has been pointed out, ‘a gut vokh’ would be more in line with the other Jewish language usage so far
2) ‘the sixth day’ sounds like a translation of ‘yom shishi’, but wouldn’t these characters be more likely to say ‘erev shabes’?
3) ‘College’, huh? so we’re not in a real shtetl…
4) This is a pretty minor nit to pick….if economic conditions/realia in this ‘shvetl’ (my coinage for virtual shtetl) resemble a typical 19th c. shtetl, they’re not killing most of a cup of wine to douse the havdalah candle. They are probably spilling a bit into the saucer, and dousing the candle in the spilled bit.
I am confused by the fact that some characters (the men/boys) seem to dress hasidish, and some (the women/girls) are more sort of modern Ortho. Sort of. Because modern Ortho. girls would actually be dressed fancier on shabat than these girls are. OK, so that’s my bottom line – is this confusion intentional or accidental? Am giving you benefit of doubt (am assuming it’s intentional) and that we will have more fusion surprises to come! Maybe it’s an egalitarian-davenning community!
My penultimate point (if you’ve read this far, thank you!) I L-O-V-E-D that ‘uvdin d’hol’ reference. Not something a 19th c. shtetl girl would know, but quite possible for a day-school attending 20th c. ortho girl with more of a bent for Jewish learning than for knitting!
The only thing I don’t totally love is the whole dragon killing/sword finding angle (which may be very important to you, I realize). I dunno, that doesn’t grab me…yet… but it seems so minor compared to the pleasures of figuring out your invented Jewish world! Thank you.
I loved reading your story (so far). Your Jewish visuals/language are pretty impressive, but I feel compelled to nitpick!
1) as has been pointed out, ‘a gut vokh’ would be more in line with the other Jewish language usage so far
2) ‘the sixth day’ sounds like a translation of ‘yom shishi’, but wouldn’t these characters be more likely to say ‘erev shabes’?
3) ‘College’, huh? so we’re not in a real shtetl…
4) This is a pretty minor nit to pick….if economic conditions/realia in this ‘shvetl’ (my coinage for virtual shtetl) resemble a typical 19th c. shtetl, they’re not killing most of a cup of wine to douse the havdalah candle. They are probably spilling a bit into the saucer, and dousing the candle in the spilled bit.
I am confused by the fact that some characters (the men/boys) seem to dress hasidish, and some (the women/girls) are more sort of modern Ortho. Sort of. Because modern Ortho. girls would actually be dressed fancier on shabat than these girls are. OK, so that’s my bottom line – is this confusion intentional or accidental? Am giving you benefit of doubt (am assuming it’s intentional) and that we will have more fusion surprises to come! Maybe it’s an egalitarian-davenning community!
My penultimate point (if you’ve read this far, thank you!) I L-O-V-E-D that ‘uvdin d’hol’ reference. Not something a 19th c. shtetl girl would know, but quite possible for a day-school attending 20th c. ortho girl with more of a bent for Jewish learning than for knitting!
The only thing I don’t totally love is the whole dragon killing/sword finding angle (which may be very important to you, I realize). I dunno, that doesn’t grab me…yet… but it seems so minor compared to the pleasures of figuring out your invented Jewish world! Thank you.
Thanks for your comments, Anomyse! I really love reading smart comments like this.
Regarding points 1 and 2, I think you’re probably right. I lack the background to be able to get the language (or any other details!) right all the time, but hopefully I’ll improve as I go along (with the help of my readers).
3) You’re right — Aherville is not a shtetl, nor does this story take place in the 19th century.
4) The folks in Aherville are reasonably well off. And compared to the average 19th century shtetl, they’re fabulously wealthy.
5) You’re right, I should have had the girls and women wearing nicer outfits. Oh, well — I’ll do that better the next time I draw Shabbos.
I hope you’ll enjoy the fantasy elements more as the story goes on, because it is a major part of Mirka’s current storyline — in fact, it’ll take up most of the rest of 2008. But in 2009 we’ll get to see a lot more of my invented town, so I hope you stick around. 🙂
Thanks for your comments, Anomyse! I really love reading smart comments like this.
Regarding points 1 and 2, I think you’re probably right. I lack the background to be able to get the language (or any other details!) right all the time, but hopefully I’ll improve as I go along (with the help of my readers).
3) You’re right — Aherville is not a shtetl, nor does this story take place in the 19th century.
4) The folks in Aherville are reasonably well off. And compared to the average 19th century shtetl, they’re fabulously wealthy.
5) You’re right, I should have had the girls and women wearing nicer outfits. Oh, well — I’ll do that better the next time I draw Shabbos.
I hope you’ll enjoy the fantasy elements more as the story goes on, because it is a major part of Mirka’s current storyline — in fact, it’ll take up most of the rest of 2008. But in 2009 we’ll get to see a lot more of my invented town, so I hope you stick around. 🙂
I like her necklace
I like her necklace
In what is probably far too close textual analysis, I notice that there is what appears to be a cordless phone on the desk in the second panel. Which means that Hereville is set in the 1980s at the earliest, possibly is contemporary. The lamp has a modern look about it too. I’d previously thought of it as vaguely early/mid-20th century (vacuum cleaners, which others have mentioned as evidence of Hereville’s modernness have actually been around since the early 20th century), but that couldn’t be given the phone in the background. I’m very intrigued as to where and when Hereville is set. Where is Yiddish spoken as a first language in the late 20th or early 21st century? (Not that it can be in this reality anyway with trolls and dragons, of course.)
In what is probably far too close textual analysis, I notice that there is what appears to be a cordless phone on the desk in the second panel. Which means that Hereville is set in the 1980s at the earliest, possibly is contemporary. The lamp has a modern look about it too. I’d previously thought of it as vaguely early/mid-20th century (vacuum cleaners, which others have mentioned as evidence of Hereville’s modernness have actually been around since the early 20th century), but that couldn’t be given the phone in the background. I’m very intrigued as to where and when Hereville is set. Where is Yiddish spoken as a first language in the late 20th or early 21st century? (Not that it can be in this reality anyway with trolls and dragons, of course.)
Speak for yourself. I don’t believe in Dianne. So there.
That’s ok. I don’t really exist.
Speak for yourself. I don’t believe in Dianne. So there.
That’s ok. I don’t really exist.