The Not Too Distant Future
October 1, 2006 6:39 PM   Subscribe

Shooting War: a graphic novel by Anthony Lappe and Dan Goldman. The 11-chapter first act has been lauded in Rolling Stone, Wired and The Village Voice. It's 2011: President McCain is fighting for political survival, America is stuck in Iraq, and there's another oil embargo. 'Vlogger' and indie icon Jimmy Burns happens to catch a terrorist attack in NYC on his web cam, making him the new face of wartime journalism.
posted by spaltavian (36 comments total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
Reminds me of Brian Wood's DMZ (Issue #1 .pdf).
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 6:58 PM on October 1, 2006


Reminds me of Nathan Barley.
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 7:02 PM on October 1, 2006


Reminds me of all those shitty webcomics that tried to be topical, except this one actually works, and it isn't shitty.
posted by ®@ at 7:09 PM on October 1, 2006


I find it intriguing that part of the premise is that the Republicans have still held sway with America through raw, blind fear, and managed to keep the Oval Office because of it.

McCain is the best thing the Republicans have to offer as a candidate for '08, even if he did sell out his own history with the "compromise."

If he's prez in '11, it can only mean one thing: The DNC nominated Hillary.
posted by mystyk at 7:40 PM on October 1, 2006


there's only one problem with all of this ... it's not going to take until 2011 to happen
posted by pyramid termite at 8:02 PM on October 1, 2006


the relationship between "vlogger" and "webcam" is what, exactly?

Anyway, looks intresting.

If he's prez in '11, it can only mean one thing: The DNC nominated Hillary.

Hey now, I think Joe Biden has a good chance of getting his ass kicked as well. Frankly there are a lot more losers then winners in the democratic field for 08.

*sigh* Why can't the republicans nominate Bill First? Why can't they nominate some idiots once in a while?

Also: Fuck john mccain.
posted by delmoi at 8:11 PM on October 1, 2006


The linework sucks.
posted by delmoi at 8:16 PM on October 1, 2006




Yeah. Guy needs to learn how to draw.
posted by delmoi at 8:21 PM on October 1, 2006


Why can't they nominate some idiots once in a while?

They did, and that idiot got elected. Twice.
posted by mr.curmudgeon at 8:56 PM on October 1, 2006


Good point mr.c.

Also, James Frey jokes in 2011? I kinda doubt it.
posted by delmoi at 9:03 PM on October 1, 2006


I wonder if {CNN|FOX|MSNBC} would actually refer to a vlogger who caught footage like that as a vlogger or if they would downplay him or her to "amateur/home video footage"?

Also, if Hillary wins the nomination then McCain would be a shoo-in (sp?). I'm not happy about that, but even McCain should be better than what we have now, depending on which right-wing prick he chooses to carry the bible belt.
posted by SteveTheRed at 9:53 PM on October 1, 2006


The first three panels were enough to get me to stop reading. Please learn to write before making your big statement, thanks.
posted by aaronetc at 10:00 PM on October 1, 2006


Perhaps your radically cool snark power made you forget it's a graphic novel, as opposed to, you know, a novel?
posted by spaltavian at 10:10 PM on October 1, 2006


Perhaps your radically cool snark power made you forget it's a graphic novel, as opposed to, you know, a novel?

In which case he should learn to draw. I'm sorry but those illustrations were just ugly. Not even close to the stuff X-men stuff I read as a kid. bleh.
posted by delmoi at 10:38 PM on October 1, 2006


mystyk writes "If he's prez in '11, it can only mean one thing: The DNC nominated Hillary."

I asked this a year ago and the consensus seemed to be she'd try but fail to win the nomination. Does she really have a chance at this time?
posted by Mitheral at 10:53 PM on October 1, 2006


I found the art work interesting though I'm not a graphic novel expert.

The name of the newstation is a little surreal, we have a Global network in Canada and their fairly proud of their news programs.
posted by Mitheral at 11:02 PM on October 1, 2006


I was dubious for a few panels -- hipster Brooklyn blogger whatever? -- and then it sunk in pretty well. An hour later ... well, I've wasted time in worst ways. This is a good thing to see/read. It may even sway a few of those Republicans and Democrats. I hope so, god I fucking hope so.
posted by kenlayne at 11:16 PM on October 1, 2006


(Not that I believe The Terrorists are from the Muslim World. Maybe a *few* of them .... )
posted by kenlayne at 11:20 PM on October 1, 2006


Oh, and has the term vlog caught on yet? Is it being used in the real world? Without sarcasm? Is it TOO LATE TO STOP NOW??
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 11:23 PM on October 1, 2006


Yeah, I didn't think it was a commonly used word yet, hence the quotes I employed in the FPP.

Then, the post right after mine used the term "VBlogger", seeming to be a halfway point.

I hope the real world hasn't gone past that yet.
posted by spaltavian at 12:00 AM on October 2, 2006


The art works fine for me; being a little inexpert is not such a terrible sin here. Everything about this works fine for me; especially the endless Easter Egg gags, some of which are bitterly funny. Like "Work Begins at Ground Zero" on the cover of an issue of New York magazine from 2011.

Oh, and 'vlog' is pretty common now from what I've seen. Do enjoy being offended by it. Such a lovely frisson of misapplied distaste over the truly unimportant; I know the feeling well.
posted by George_Spiggott at 12:04 AM on October 2, 2006


When did Americans start saying "Shite"?
posted by Astro Zombie at 6:07 AM on October 2, 2006


Astro Zombie, I think it was an attempt at making the guy seem British or something. Maybe a poke at Aussie Rupert Murdoch.

The whole thing seemed a bit heavy-handed to me.
posted by zsazsa at 6:15 AM on October 2, 2006


vlog is better then blog, IMO.

The story was interesting, but I found it a little self indulgent after a while. A bit Mary sue, if you know what I mean.
posted by delmoi at 7:14 AM on October 2, 2006


iReport for CNN!

I don't know any indie icons, and wartime journalism is a sham. All of the civilian 9/11 tapes should be considered under the same scope if that's your prerogative, so this is very silly construct. I saw a starbucks explode! Let me upload it to MySpace with my HELIO; this is 2011 DOOD - TERRAH! /snore
posted by prostyle at 7:48 AM on October 2, 2006


They lost me when the kidnappers started speaking English to each other. That was just goofy.
posted by gubo at 8:15 AM on October 2, 2006


When did Americans start saying "Shite"?

After they started reading it on the intershite.
posted by sonofsamiam at 8:18 AM on October 2, 2006


Astro Zombie writes "When did Americans start saying 'Shite'?"

Actually, I've met several hipster types who say that. It's really annoying.
posted by brundlefly at 9:32 AM on October 2, 2006


It'd be so brilliant if they Flashified it. Cheers, mates!
posted by DenOfSizer at 9:42 AM on October 2, 2006


Meh. I've done worse things with my lunch break, but I certainly don't see what all the fuss is about. Neither the art nor the writing was terribly good, and it had few interesting or original ideas either.
posted by InnocentBystander at 11:14 AM on October 2, 2006


My UK acquaintances use a great many American profanities and no one calls them pretentious. I think we can import a few of theirs. Especially since our entire language was originally a British export, no?
posted by George_Spiggott at 12:05 PM on October 2, 2006


True enough, G_S. It just bugs me in a completely illogical way.
posted by brundlefly at 12:39 PM on October 2, 2006


That one line regarding alienating muslim brothers Shite and Sunni got me. The author is clearly unaware that schism has been going on much longer than the Iraq war. Since the beginning of Islam in fact. . . .
posted by mk1gti at 3:03 PM on October 2, 2006


I think we can import a few of theirs.

i would, but i can't be arsed ...
posted by pyramid termite at 4:19 PM on October 2, 2006


that's good, but it's so plausible it's pathetic.
posted by amberglow at 7:06 PM on October 2, 2006


the Shite thing is bec the owner's a Brit i thought--like Murdoch-esque.
posted by amberglow at 7:06 PM on October 2, 2006


« Older Next up: BME for BMWs?   |   A Chilling Effect? Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments