Draw the Line Comics Contest

This contest was born at the intersection of several significant moments — Banned Books Week, National Comic Book Day, and William & Mary's Year of the Arts. In bringing these observances together, we recognize that art and activism can speak powerfully when they speak as one. Through comics, our students have found a unique and compelling way to explore complex social issues, combining visual storytelling with messages about change and justice. 

The contest draws inspiration from a courageous voice in our own university's history: Marilyn Kaemmerle. In 1945, as editor-in-chief of the Flat Hat, Kaemmerle wrote an editorial calling for racial equality and desegregation at William & Mary — a stance that cost her her position but earned her a place in the moral arc of our institution's history. Kaemmerle's words stand today as a testament to the importance of speaking truth, even when that truth challenges the status quo. 

The contest winners have followed in her footsteps, using the dynamic medium of comics to explore how activism shapes our campuses and our society. Their work demonstrates that activism takes many forms — from grand gestures to quiet resistance, from organized movements to individual stands for justice.  

Read the winning comics on W&M ScholarWorks:

Best Overall Comic: “Safety Pin” by Icarus Landaker ’27

Best Story: “Protests at the University of Puerto Rico” by Fátima Vidal Rivera ’26

Best Visuals: “APIA: A Major Success in Student Activism” by Rachel Kwon ’26