Michael Tisserand

About the Author

Michael Tisserand is an acclaimed author and journalist whose work explores the intersections of race, culture, and American history through the lens of comics and visual storytelling. A former editor at The New Orleans Times-Picayune, he brings a keen eye for detail and narrative depth to his biographies, illuminating the lives of overlooked figures who shaped popular culture. His seminal book, Krazy: George Herriman, a Life in Black and White, offers a richly researched portrait of the enigmatic cartoonist behind the iconic Krazy Kat strip, revealing Herriman's complex identity as a Black man passing as white in early 20th-century America. Tisserand's writing has appeared in publications such as The New Yorker and The Oxford American, earning him awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship. He resides in New Orleans, where he continues to champion stories of resilience and creativity.