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Saving the Day? Comic books profile candidates in superhero mode
Photo Couresty of IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing is releasing comic-book-format biographies of John McCain and Barack Obama.
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Published: October 8, 2008
One of the figures striking a heroic pose on comic-book shelves this week will soon be the leader of the free world.
Two comic books are being released today, Presidential Material: John McCain and Presidential Material: Barack Obama. Each is an illustrated biography.
The illustrations on both covers are by J. Scott Campbell, a popular comics artist (Gen13, Danger Girl). The covers depict each candidate standing in front of an American flag, hands on his hips. Each comic sells for $3.99.
Undecided voters may want to pick up a "flip-book" version that has Obama on one side and McCain on the other for $7.99. The comics are also available for download to mobile phones at the iPhone App Store and mobile.gocomics.com.
The comics are being released by IDW Publishing, a company best known for such titles as 30 Days of Night and comic-book versions of such TV shows as Star Trek and Angel.
Some real-life presidents have appeared in comic books, often the subject of satire. Ronald Reagan is in The Dark Knight Returns, and Richard Nixon is in Watchmen. But more often, comic books have depicted fictional leaders, including Prez, First Teen President in a short-lived 1970s series, and Lex Luthor during his brief stint as commander-in-chief in Superman comics.
IDW's "polling numbers," based on advance orders from comic shops, show Obama in the lead, with 48 percent, compared to 34 percent for McCain and 18 percent flip-floppers.
■ Tim Clodfelter can be reached at 727-7371 or at tclodfelter@wsjournal.com.
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