ELECTION 2008!!

Presidential Material:
John McCain
Writer: Andy Helfer
Art: Stephen Thompson
Barack Obama
Writer: Jeff Mariotte
Art: Tom Morgan
Publisher: IDW Publishing

In this presidential race of 2008 two candidates come out to save the day in heroic comic books published by IDW publishing!

By John L. Daniels Jr.

On the eve of the third and final debate between Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and
Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill), the economy in the U.S. is in shambles, Wall Street is
being saved by the Federal Government and Americans are on the verge of being hit hard by a recession. It is 8:50 on October 14th and in 10 minutes the debate will start. This debate will be viewed throughout the country and the world. To whom will Americans be drawn, cling to and align with in confidence for the President of the United States; in hopes that McCain or Obama will secure a solid future for America’s sons and daughters.

I reflect on the stories I read about the personalities and platforms of these extraordinary Americans: Senator McCain and Obama. The contrasts in “character” amaze me:

McCain-

- A P.O.W from the Vietnam War.

- A Navel Cadet

- A Fighter pilot

- A Figure who was tied to the Keating five.

- And historically the oldest nominated presidential candidate for the GOP.

Obama-

-Raised by a single mother

-Became the First African-American to be president of the Harvard law review.

-Associated with a known sympathizer.

-First African-American to be nominated for a presidential candidate in modern history

(Can you name the first African American to be nominated by a political party?)

How historic is this moment in American history?

The creators of this comic book give a good perspective for readers of this momentous collectible graphic novel. Both writers’ stories appealed to me. Andy Helfer wrote McCain’s story. His story of Senator McCain was informative and caught the quirkiness of the Senator’s snafus in his political and personal life. The story starts out as a serious recount of his time in Vietnam as a prisoner of war. One of the most memorable panels shows McCain dancing on a table with women in a wild soiree.

Obama’s story written by Jeff Mariotte, begins from the point in Barack's Campaign when Hilary Clinton defeated him in the New Jersey primary. It swells to his life as a young kid growing up in Hawaii to his struggles with not having money to attend the democratic convention in 2000. The story concludes with the historic acceptance of his party.

The artwork is a definitive recreation from pictures as well as life footnotes by biographers and gives a great visual insight of the candidates. The book is filled with
extras such as biographical resources and black and white drawings of the covers of each candidate.

This is a well-published and informative book for voters who need a definitive resource about the candidates. This presidential material pleases me because it enlightened me about the two candidates. Those comic costume enthusiasts who are expecting costumed candidates may be disappointed. There are no hero costumes or powers of prowess; just heroic experiences of two men vying for the role of commander-in- chief of the United States of America.

I applaud IDW for publishing an important book in comic book history. This book is yet another historical footnote to one of the most anticipated and unprecedented presidential races in United States of America history.

I give this book 5 stars for an informative presentation to the American voters.