Maus tells the story of Art Spiegelman's father, a Holocaust survivor, with Jews depicted as mice and Nazis as cats. The graphic novel interweaves the father's experiences in Auschwitz with their contemporary relationship. Its innovative format proved comics could tackle serious historical subjects with literary depth. It became the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize. The work is widely taught in schools and universities, legitimizing comics as an educational medium. Its impact extended beyond comics into mainstream literature and Holocaust education.