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About

Roy is the author of Is Superman Circumcised? The Complete Jewish History of the World's Greatest Hero (McFarland '21) and The Darkness in Lee’s Closet and the Others Waiting There (Aelurus '18).

Roy has written for newspapers, magazines, websites, academic organizations, law firms, tech companies, toy companies, and production studios. He has taught English and writing at the City University of New York and is a former writer-in-residence fellow at the New York Public Library. When not writing, he is the director of marketing & business development of a regional law firm.

Roy graduated magna cum laude from the New School University with a BA in English, majoring in creative writing with a minor in journalism, and cum laude from NYU with an interdisciplinary MA in English and social thought, focusing on 19th century British and 20th century American literature. He interned for Marvel Comics.

Originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, Roy grew up a voracious reader of everything from Israeli novels to British plays to American comic books. He taught himself English from comics and cartoons, which is why he's comfortable using words like “swell."

Roy lives in Long Island, NY with his wife Kim, a bestselling author and editor, and their two children. He has a penchant for caffeine, candy, and a quality-over-quantity wardrobe.

Roy Schwartz

Author, writer, journalist, world traveler.

Takes fun seriously and makes fun of seriousness.

Books

Is Superman Circumcised? The Complete Jewish History of the World's Greatest Hero

SUPERMAN is the most famous character in the world. He’s the first superhero, an American icon—and he’s Jewish!

Introduced in June 1938, the Man of Steel was created by two Jewish teens, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the sons of immigrants from Eastern Europe. They based their hero’s origin story on Moses, his strength on Samson, his mission on the golem and his nebbish secret identity on themselves. They made him a refugee fleeing catastrophe on the eve of World War II and sent him to tear Nazi tanks apart nearly two years before the US joined the war.

In following decades Superman’s mostly Jewish writers, artists and editors continued to borrow Jewish motifs for their stories, basing Krypton’s past on Genesis and Exodus, its civilization on Jewish culture, the trial of Lex Luthor on Adolf Eichmann’s and a holiday celebrating Superman on Passover.

Is Superman Circumcised? The Complete Jewish History of the World's Greatest Hero

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Exploring these underlying themes of a beloved modern mythology, Is Superman Circumcised? The Complete Jewish History of the World’s Greatest Hero is a fascinating and entertaining journey through comic book lore, American history and Jewish tradition, sure to give readers a newfound appreciation for the Mensch of Steel!

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The Darkness in Lee’s Closet

and the Others Waiting There

Lee just wants her dad back. But the land of the dead is a dangerous place.

When her father dies, Lee’s life is torn apart. The only comfort she finds is in the complete darkness of her closet, where she sleeps at night.

When she discovers the darkness leads to the afterlife, she hatches a plan—to find her dad and bring him back home.

With the help of four very talkative, very dead companions she finds trapped in the darkness, she sets off on a quest through the afterworlds.

But a little live girl does not belong there. Lee will have to face frightening dangers and use all her courage and cunning if she wishes to save her father, her friends, and herself.

News

REVIEWS

“I am floored by this deep and beautiful examination of history, liturgy, and culture. If you believe in comics as the holders of miracle, myth, and mystery, this is the book for you.”

— Mayim Bialik, actress, author, neuroscientist

“A must-have for any fan of superheroes, comic books and Jewish history and literature.”

— Jerusalem Post

“Fascinating, illuminating and highly accomplished...you will never look at Superman in quite the same way.”

“A lively and often funny book.”

— Jewish Journal

“I’ve read quite a few books on the history of Superman…Schwartz’s book is right up there with some of the better ones…all Superman fans should add [it] to their collection.”

“Really digs deep into those early days of the comic book industry and brings [them] to life.”

— SupermanHomepage.com

“Schwartz approaches the subject with an academic lens and a fan’s passion, with text-parsing that would have impressed the rabbis of the Talmud.”

— The Forward

PRESS