Rutu Modan

Rutu Modan, born in 1966, is an Israeli illustrator and comics artist best known for her graphic novels *Exit Wounds* (2007) and *The Property* (2013). She co-founded the influential Israeli comics collective Actus Tragicus, which helped shape a new wave of literary comics in Israel. Modan’s path into comics began with illustration work, and she quickly developed a distinctive style marked by clean, expressive linework, muted color palettes, and a keen eye for everyday human drama. Her stories often explore family secrets, national identity, and the quiet tensions beneath ordinary life. She has collaborated with writers and artists within the Actus group and contributed to *The New York Times Magazine*. Modan’s work has been widely translated and adapted, earning her international acclaim. She received the Eisner Award for Best New Graphic Novel for *Exit Wounds*, and her later projects, including *The Property*, have been praised for their nuanced storytelling. Modan continues to be a vital voice in contemporary comics, teaching and publishing while maintaining a career that spans illustration, comics, and graphic design. Her legacy is that of a meticulous storyteller who blends personal and political narratives with subtlety and grace.