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The article discusses the political conditions surrounding the East German comic "Hannes Hegen's Mosaik" particularly its relationship with the Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands political party. The cultural and social role of "Mosaik" as a socialist-approved replacement for popular western comics is examined, information is offered on the education and family history of the comic's author Johannes Hegenbarth (pen name Hannes Hegen), and the historical function of "Mosaik" is also described.

The article introduces the topics of the June 2014 issue of the comparative history periodical "Comparativ: Leipziger Beiträge zur Universalgeschichte und Vergleichenden Gesellschaftsforschung" on historical comics and manga in Europe, Asia, and the U.S.

The article discusses historical narratives in graphic novels, manga, and comic books as well as attempting a definition of historical comics. Topics of discussion include the history of European historical comics such as "Astérix" and "Mosaik", the categorization of comics and manga within literature, and the use of comics in education. Information is offered on the introduction of fictional protagonists and characters into historical situations in graphic media and the retelling of other novels through comics.