Ernest Riebe

Ernest Riebe immigrated to the United States from his native Germany sometime around the turn of the 20th century. Not much of his biography is known. His “Mr. Block” comics began appearing in the Spokane Industrial Worker in 1912, and his art appeared in IWW publications through 1922. His eventual fate is also unknown, but his most famous creation was immortalized in a song by Joe Hill titled, appropriately, “Mr. Block.”

Browsing All Posts By Ernest Riebe

Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. XII

The lumberjacks' chopping block.
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. XI

A scabbing he will go...
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. X

When "strong union men" start scabbing on each other, Mr. Block gets caught in the crossfire.
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. IX

Decades before anyone coined the term "champagne socialist," Mr. Block found himself seduced by a "gentleman comrade."
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. VIII

In this 1912 comic, Ernest Riebe looks unflinchingly at how management uses racism to keep workers from uniting.
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. VII

In this seventh comic from 1912 Spokane Industrial Worker, Mr. Block finds himself the recipient of some most uncharitable charity.
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. VI

In this sixth comic from 1912 Spokane Industrial Worker, the Salvation Army sees the devil in Mr. Block's alleged drunkenness.
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. V

In this fifth comic from 1912 Spokane Industrial Worker, Mr. Block tests his salesmanship while stubbornly avoiding the radical Wobblies.
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. IV

"Mr. Block is legion. He owns nothing, yet he speaks from the standpoint of the millionaire. He's patriotic without patrimony."
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. III

"Mr. Block is legion. He owns nothing, yet he speaks from the standpoint of the millionaire. He's patriotic without patrimony."
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. II

"Mr. Block is legion. He owns nothing, yet he speaks from the standpoint of the millionaire. He's patriotic without patrimony."
By Ernest Riebe
Comics
Mr. Block, Vol. I

"Mr. Block is legion. He owns nothing, yet he speaks from the standpoint of the millionaire. He's patriotic without patrimony."
By Ernest Riebe