SHAPIRO: It speaks to what we heard in that clip of him of making the story available to another generation, children and young people. Literally walking hand-in-hand with the next generation. And it was one of those moments where you knew he was not just trying to sell books or anything. And by the time we actually got to the booth to sit down and sign their books, there were thousands of people following us. And he led those kids down the hallway through San Diego Comic-Con. And he put two books in it, and he put an apple and an orange and a toothbrush and toothpaste in it just like he'd done in 1965. And we suggested, well, why don't you march with us? And so here was the congressman in his trench coat with a backpack. You know, there was some kids who wanted to talk to the congressman after our panel at Comic Con. Tell us about that moment.ĪYDIN: (Laughter) He did. It was 2015, and he cosplayed as an earlier version of himself. This was a couple of years after the first book in the 'March' trilogy was released. And he ultimately went to Comic-Con with you, that comic book convention in San Diego. There was this comic 'Martin Luther King And The Montgomery Story' that the congressman remembered. And I looked it up, and that was our inspiration.

There was a comic book during the civil rights movement, and it was incredibly influential. And I start talking about, I'm going to a comic book convention. Folks were talking about what they were going to do after. And we were coming down to the end of the campaign. And by that point, I was working on his reelection campaign. Well, I started in his office, answering his mail. Tell us the story behind it and what it was like to work with him after working for him.ĪYDIN: Yeah. SHAPIRO: You were working in Congressman Lewis' office when the 'March' trilogy came about. He convinced me that we should do it to make the story available to another generation, to children, to young people and to those of us not so young.ĪNDREW AYDIN: Hi, Ari. Here's John Lewis talking about the initial spark of the idea in September of 2013. Lewis released a trilogy of graphic novel memoirs called 'March.' Andrew Aydin co-wrote those books. And as of 2013, he was a comic book hero. He was a civil rights icon, a defender of the Voting Rights Act, a mentor, father and husband, the moral compass of Congress. When Congressman John Lewis died on Friday, he left behind a tremendous legacy.

John lewis march trilogy