KOSHER MAFIA #1, by Mad Cave Studios on 7/31/24, begins a historical fiction tale about a Jewish mob enforcer in 1936 who finds his loyalties tested when the Nazis come to power.
Credits:
- Writer: David Hazan
- Artist: Sami Kivelä
- Colorist: Ellie Wright
- Letterer: Simon Bowland
- Cover Artist: Sami Kivelä (cover A)
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Release Date: July 31, 2024
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 24
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of KOSHER MAFIA #1:
First Impressions:
We didn’t know what to expect from David Hazan (writer of the stellar Nottingham series) in this historical fiction take on Jewish gangsters, but we’re pleasantly surprised. Stories heavily steeped in a specific culture or faith can be hit-or-miss because the creators sometimes lean too far into educating the reader over telling a story. Here, Hazan strikes a solid balance between history through the lens of Jewish culture and a well-crafted gangster story.
Plot Analysis:
Kosher Mafia #1 centers on Ephraim Gold, a ruthless enforcer for the Kosher Nostra in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. We catch up with Gold as he pays an unexpected visit to the Kosher Nostra’s bookkeeper, Howard Berkowicz, at his home with a gun in hand.
David Hazan starts the issue on a tense note by immediately placing the hapless Mrs. Berkowicz in danger while she waits for her husband to come home. It’s clear Gold isn’t a nice man, so the prospect of violence is palpable.
When Howard comes home to find Gold sitting in his kitchen having a cordial chat with Howard’s wife, Howard knows what’s coming. Gold is there to kill him. Howard prepares for his end, but while he prays, we get a flashback to eighteen hours earlier where we see how Gold brutally deals with a group of Irishmen infringing on Kosher Nostra territory.
Hazan transitions Gold from a possible killer to a ruthless fighter and confirmed killer during the flashback. We now get a sense of his personality as a cool customer who isn’t easily shaken, even when outnumbered. The scene also confirms Gold has no qualms about killing Howard.
Gold compliments Howard on his calmness under the circumstances, but he wonders why Howard has always disliked him. Howard explains he can’t respect a man who kills for money, but Gold argues that a man who keeps a killer paid is just as responsible for the evil they do. We see another flashback to a few hours earlier when the men interrupt a meeting with their boss wherein Howard begs the Kosher Nostra to protect their community in the face of rising German sentiment. The boss has no interest in getting involved in German affairs, so he orders Howard to retire. Quietly, he orders Gold to make the retirement permanent.
Hazan makes a wise creative choice by not dwelling too much on the Nazis by trying to convince readers the Nazis are bad (We know that already). Instead, Hazan focuses on the conflicted priorities within the Kosher Nostra, and how those conflicts create fractures.
The issue concludes with an insight into the strife witnessed by Howard in his youth, his last prayers, and a deadly choice.
Overall, this is one of the better works of historical fiction focused on Jewish gangsters and immigrants during the early half of the 20th Century. Hazan smartly avoids cliches about Nazis or leaning too heavily into Jewish cultural lessons to deliver an engaging, tense, crime drama.
Artwork and Presentation:
This issue is our first exposure to Sami Kivelä’s work, and he does an excellent job presenting an authentic period piece with distinctive characters and realistic settings. Plus, Ellie Wright’s coloring is sharp enough to incorporate earth tones and muted palettes without making the visuals look dull or drab. The art team did great work all the way around.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Historical Context:
Kosher Mafia #1 centers on the Kosher Nostra in Cleveland, Ohio, during the early part of WWII, but there’s no historical record we could find on either Ephraim Gold or Howard Berkowicz. As far as we can tell, these characters are only inspired amalgams of real people from that time and place.
Final Thoughts:
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KOSHER MAFIA #1 is a strong first issue and one of the better historical fiction stories about Jewish gangsters in America at the onset of WWII. David Hazan rightly focuses on a gripping gangster tale steeped in Jewish culture to keep readers from all walks of life engaged, and the art looks great.
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