Comments on: The Not Too Distant Future

The Not Too Distant Future

spaltavian — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 18:39:49 -0800

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.

By: Alvy Ampersand

Alvy Ampersand — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 18:58:16 -0800

Reminds me of Brian Wood's DMZ (Issue #1 .pdf).

By: A Thousand Baited Hooks

A Thousand Baited Hooks — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 19:02:28 -0800

Reminds me of Nathan Barley.

By: ®@

®@ — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 19:09:21 -0800

Reminds me of all those shitty webcomics that tried to be topical, except this one actually works, and it isn't shitty.

By: mystyk

mystyk — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 19:40:19 -0800

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.

By: pyramid termite

pyramid termite — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 20:02:26 -0800

there's only one problem with all of this ... it's not going to take until 2011 to happen

By: delmoi

delmoi — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 20:11:02 -0800

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.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 20:16:14 -0800

The linework sucks.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 20:21:16 -0800

Yeah. Guy needs to learn how to draw.

By: mr.curmudgeon

mr.curmudgeon — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 20:56:22 -0800

Why can't they nominate some idiots once in a while? They did, and that idiot got elected. Twice.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 21:03:32 -0800

Good point mr.c. Also, James Frey jokes in 2011? I kinda doubt it.

By: SteveTheRed

SteveTheRed — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 21:53:29 -0800

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.

By: aaronetc

aaronetc — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 22:00:07 -0800

The first three panels were enough to get me to stop reading. Please learn to write before making your big statement, thanks.

By: spaltavian

spaltavian — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 22:10:10 -0800

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

By: delmoi

delmoi — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 22:38:41 -0800

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.

By: Mitheral

Mitheral — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 22:53:32 -0800

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?

By: Mitheral

Mitheral — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:02:53 -0800

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.

By: kenlayne

kenlayne — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:16:08 -0800

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.

By: kenlayne

kenlayne — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:20:08 -0800

(Not that I believe The Terrorists are from the Muslim World. Maybe a *few* of them .... )

By: A Thousand Baited Hooks

A Thousand Baited Hooks — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:23:49 -0800

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??

By: spaltavian

spaltavian — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 00:00:05 -0800

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.

By: George_Spiggott

George_Spiggott — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 00:04:11 -0800

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.

By: Astro Zombie

Astro Zombie — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 06:07:18 -0800

When did Americans start saying "Shite"?

By: zsazsa

zsazsa — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 06:15:29 -0800

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.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 07:14:41 -0800

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.

By: prostyle

prostyle — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 07:48:51 -0800

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

By: gubo

gubo — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 08:15:02 -0800

They lost me when the kidnappers started speaking English to each other. That was just goofy.

By: sonofsamiam

sonofsamiam — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 08:18:11 -0800

When did Americans start saying "Shite"? After they started reading it on the intershite.

By: brundlefly

brundlefly — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 09:32:02 -0800

Astro Zombie writes "When did Americans start saying 'Shite'?" Actually, I've met several hipster types who say that. It's really annoying.

By: DenOfSizer

DenOfSizer — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 09:42:55 -0800

It'd be so brilliant if they Flashified it. Cheers, mates!

By: InnocentBystander

InnocentBystander — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 11:14:33 -0800

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.

By: George_Spiggott

George_Spiggott — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 12:05:57 -0800

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?

By: brundlefly

brundlefly — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 12:39:46 -0800

True enough, G_S. It just bugs me in a completely illogical way.

By: mk1gti

mk1gti — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 15:03:11 -0800

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. . . .

By: pyramid termite

pyramid termite — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 16:19:42 -0800

I think we can import a few of theirs. i would, but i can't be arsed ...

By: amberglow

amberglow — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 19:06:06 -0800

that's good, but it's so plausible it's pathetic.

By: amberglow

amberglow — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 19:06:45 -0800

the Shite thing is bec the owner's a Brit i thought--like Murdoch-esque.