Like many Japanese-American citizens during World War II, actor George Takei wasn’t allowed to have a Norman Rockwell childhood. Instead, the L.A. native and his family were coldly rounded up and incarcerated in several U.S. internment camps, a story he recounts quite movingly in his new graphic memoir, They Called Us Enemy, which was co-written with Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott and illustrated by Harmony Becker. These seemingly stark and simple images are loaded with heavy emotions that are even more relevant given the anti-immigrant hysteria in this country today, and the book is another example of how Takei has transcended his past role on a cheesy science-fiction series to create meaningful, important art. He signs the book at Vroman’s Bookstore (the longtime shop is even referenced during one of the memoir’s historic scenes).

Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; Tues., Aug. 20, 6 p.m.; free (sold out). (626) 449-5320. And at Barnes & Noble at The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, L.A.; Wed., Aug. 21, 7 p.m.; free. (323) 525-0270, https://georgetakeila.eventbrite.com.