When Murray Bookchin died on July 30 last year, one of the most important figures of postwar anarchism passed into history. Though attempts to sum up his legacy have been slow in coming–an indication of its complexity and richness, in my view–some valuable efforts are being made.

For instance, Janet Biehl, Bookchin’s longtime companion and collaborator, has begun work on a loving graphic memoir of Murray’s life and, happily, has made parts of it available online. The image below is one of the many installments that you can find on her site.

Likewise, the fall issue of Perspectives on Anarchist Theory, the Institute for Anarchist Studies’s journal, will focus on Bookchin (and include a lengthy article on him by yours truly). The eco-Marxist journal Capitalism, Nature, and Socialism also plans to devote a special issue to his legacy, which is scheduled to appear in 2008.

For anyone so inclined, there are two interviews with Bookchin that are freely available online. Both are worth watching, due to their innately interesting subject matter and because they indicate how sharply his views on anarchism changed over the years. One is from 1981 and it is here ; the other is from 2004 it is here.

[8/23/2008 UPDATE: This image was removed at Janet Biehl's request.]