All Rise

"Exhaustively researched, beautifully illustrated, completely unflinching. All Rise is exactly what a historical comic should be."- C.Spike Trotman, Cartoonist, Founder: Iron Circus Comics
"Between the covers of All Rise, Richard Conyngham and a team - no a confederation - of South African artists pull back the curtains on the hidden history of popular resistance to oppression in South Africa before apartheid. Excavated from their hiding places in the archives, these are the virtually untold stories of working men and women - washers, miners, immigrant laborers, farmers. Most importantly, these stories are made legible to anyone, anywhere, as universal histories of defiance and struggle that use art and text to do more than either could alone. Splendid to read on your own, this is also a brilliant tool for the classroom or seminar, complete with original evidence and a plethora of supporting material."- Trevor R. Getz, author of Abina and the Important Men
"This beautifully illustrated graphic novel telling the story of cases about law and social justice in South Africa in the first half of the twentieth century brings them vividly to life. Not only a great read, it is also a valuable educational resource that should spark important conversations about law, (in)justice and history across our country." - Kate O'Regan, retired Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa
"An innovative and impactful way to tell our history. This is the history book I didn't know I needed!" - Dr. Sithembile Mbete, University of Pretoria
"For anyone wanting to learn more about the pre-Apartheid culture of South Africa, this book provides a starting point, and with enough information that it would be possible to follow any one of these stories to more information." - ICv2 (Nick Smith, Library Technician and Community Services, Pasadena Public Library in California)

"These are smaller, lesser-known stories of South Africa's past, but no less powerful and important. The tales told within the pages of All Rise are anchored in history, and elevated by subtle and nuanced characters, written with recognition and respect for their roles in these important events. The diversity of art flavours each tale with its own distinct atmosphere, complimenting and enhancing Conyngham's writing and making every story uniquely accessible." - Luke Molver, author/illustrator, Shaka Rising and King Shaka: Zulu Legend

"As a history teacher, one of the biggest challenges in the classroom is to make the past relatable and accessible to students. All Rise does just that by bringing primary sources to life and contextualizing them in an approachable manner for students. The attention to detail is riveting and the historiography behind the stories will challenge students to think about new ways to present history to future generations. Though a historical work, the questions raised about human rights, citizenship, and systems of justice resonate strongly today. I am thankful for the work Richard Conyngham and all the folks at Catalyst Press are doing and look forward to the class discussions this reading will ignite." -Randall Martinez, Colorado Academy

Included in the University of Pittsburgh's Global Issues Through Literature Series

Named one of Brittle Paper's "100 Notable African Books of 2022"

Included on the United States Board on Books for Young People 2023 Outstanding International Books List

Honorable mention, 2023 Children's Africana Book Awards

"Perfect and detailed glimpses into real-life historical events." - 2022 VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award Committee, selected as an Overfloweth honoree

"An important contribution to our collective memory of a specific place and time, the innovation of All Rise is a necessary step in our modern interpretation of history." - Virginia Library Association

"Integral reading for anyone interested in global social justice and what we might learn for the future from what was done in the past." - Anna L. Nielsen, Librarian, Wellfleet Public Library