Jane American - by Jason Douglas (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Ringo Award-winning Best Graphic Novel Jane American is a World War II, small town America rip-roaring adventure and heart breaking coming-of-age tale in the vein of Superman For All Seasons and Archie 1941.

During the war years, Jane is living a life of family, stability, and hope... until she isn't! Until the war delivers tragedy to her front doorstep, and changes her in unbelievable ways that are better left hidden. The end of the war brings with it the reality that dad is not coming home and society has determined that mom can no longer be a Rosie The Riveter to support her family. This leaves Jane with a choice: Stay safe, stay hidden... or embrace who she really is, and what she can truly do, for the sake of everyone that she loves!

Jane American is brimming with the universal and relatable themes of identity, self-worth, you being you in a world that tells you something different; while exploring the appropriate for ALL ages concepts of friendship, isolation, family, super-heroics, and standing up for what you know is right even in the face of self-doubt and insurmountable odds!

The book is a deeply personal story to the author, Jason Douglas, as it is named after and inspired by his late grandmother who, over 80 years ago, struggled with all the same themes audiences can relate to today! It is dedicated to all the students who have traversed through his public-school classroom the last 26 years, and to his late grandfather who was a key component in the early phases of this thoroughly researched story.

Readers of Jane American will be treated to a tale: Guaranteed to make you cheer! Sure to break your heart! Positive to place you in front of a mirror posing the famous Rosie The Riveter FLEX! And not-so-secretly helping you learn the actual history of a bygone era not so different from our own!

Brought to you by the creative team of Ringo Award-nominated writer Jason Douglas (Parallel, No Man's Land), with art by Ringo Award-winning Best New Talent Annie Wright, and letters by industry veteran Dave Lentz (Felix The Cat, Frozen, Speed Racer), Jane American is an award-winning, full-color graphic novel following Jane's adventures, friendships, and struggles as she comes of age in turbulent times! This deeply researched yet emotionally powerful story, relatable to kids and adults alike, explores the universal themes of identity, gender, self-worth (you being you in a world that tells you something different), and small-town societal norms in post WWII America. With hints of beloved stories like Superman For All Seasons and Archie 1941, Jane American will break your heart, make you think, and have you on your feet cheering by the end!

About the Author

Jason Douglas is a Ringo Award winning, Michigan-based author of graphic novels and stage plays. He has been a public school teacher for the last 26 years and only recently fulfilled a long-deferred childhood dream of writing comics. Jason's first book, Parallel, from Source Point Press, sold out, elicited a special edition and garnered critical praise with two Ringo Award nominations.

His second effort, Jane American, was the first ever fully self-published book to win Best Original Graphic Novel at the Ringo Awards. The WWII coming-of-age tale, inspired by and dedicated to his late grandparents, is now available in both HS and SC editions from Mad Cave-Papercutz/Simon & Schuster.

Jason's newest graphic novel is called No Man's Land. It is a WWI werewolf chiller exploring the horrors of war, childhood trauma, friendship, and betrayal.

Recently, Jason was named as a finalist for the Gary Reed Independent Creator of the Year award!

Annie Wright is a two-time 2025 Ringo Award winner, having received the awards for Favorite New Talent and for illustrating the Best Original Graphic Novel, Jane American. Wright, an illustration student from Ball State University at the time, was honored at the Ringo Comic Book Awards ceremony held during the Baltimore Comic-Con in October 2025.

Comic letterer, graphic designer, and occasional artist and writer.