Howard Chaykin: American Flagg - Hard Times (1985)

Howard Chaykinin scifi-noir-kyberpunk -sarjakuva oli paljon edellä aikaansa. Loistokunto mutta hintalappu kannessa.

”In many ways this influential series was ahead of its’ time, and still holds up. In other respects, it’s out of touch with current trends and would be viewed today as inappropriate in nature and/or sexist. A deft blend of science fiction, political satire and consumeristic obsessions AMERICAN FLAGG had an acknowledged influence on the works of Warren Ellis, Brian Michael Bendis and others.
The setting is Chicago in the year 2031. Religion is down-played and high-technology and material goods are elevated. Main character Reuben Flagg is a former TV star (replaced by CGI/holograms), former pilot and now a deputy in the Plexus Rangers (the local law enforcement). There’s been a worldwide power shift with the U.S. government and major corporate heads relocating to planet Mars. They make up The Plex and dictate commerce and government on Earth. Most Earth residents live near or inside massive fortress-like Pexmalls with the Plexus Rangers serving as militia to provide security and law enforcement.
In “Hard Times” (the first three-part story arc) Reuben Flagg adjusts to his transfer and new job, sleeps around a lot, and sees for himself the corruption within the Plexmall. When he uncovers subliminal messages that cause gang violence implanted within the most popular television show he finds a way to interrupt the broadcast. This ends the violence but only temporarily, resulting in covert agents descending on the Plex and the death of a secondary but important character (kind of surprising, still).
Chaykin’s story can get hard to follow at times as he throws out a million little ideas at once and never gets down to specifics. The art can also appear cluttered (as much as the society of 2031) with constant bombardment of media messages/adverts. Panel size and placement is creative, considering Chaykin had none of the tools in 1983 that artists employ today. ”