Joe Hill: The Troubadour Tramp - Digital Edition

Joe Hill.

Tramp. Troubadour. Troublemaker. Martyr.

Joe Hill (born Joel Emmanuel Hägglund, Gavle, Sweden) was a Swedish American laborer, union organizer, and songwriter for the Industrial Workers of the World "Wobbies". His songwriting ability was incredibly effective in organizing and inspiring workers of the era. In 1914 & 1915 he was arrested, convicted, and executed for a crime he is widely believed to have been innocent of. In this act, he was made a martyr and entered the global consciousness.

In this 4-page comic, I tell the story of Joe Hill, whose story took him from his early days in Sweden and a series of family tragedies to emigrate to the United States; a rise to prominence as a songwriter and labour activist and a member of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World, or "Wobblies" as they were known); ultimately being tried, convicted, and executed in the State of Utah for a crime it is widely believed he did not commit; and his enduring legacy.

This is the digital edition of this 4-page comic, which was originally appeared in print in the music comic anthology The Setlist Vol. 1 from Inservice Comics & Records in 2024.