Tuesday, October 11, 2016

It was a nice feeling, to be able to laugh at an election again...


I didn't get these at the time, which makes me feel bad since it wasn't a big seller. Is there a trade? Get that. Or scrounge together Prez #1-6, starting with "Corndog in Chief" Written by Mark Russell, pencils by Ben Caldwell, inks by Mark Morales.

In 2036, as a shadowy cabal of senators try to find a viable candidate for president who doesn't have too many skeletons in his closet; young Beth Ross is not having a great day: her dad was dying of cat flu, and an embarrassing video had gained her internet fame as "Corndog Girl." When election turnout hits a record low, Beth becomes a write-in vote of protest; although a commentator points out unless she got enough votes to win a state, she wouldn't get any electoral college votes anyway. She barely notices when she wins Ohio...

When no one receives enough electoral votes to win, per the Constitution the election moves to the House of Representatives, which throws America's real powers, the CEO's, into a panic. The first vote ends in a tie, with the party thinking the holdouts just want "some candy," like NASA, or a football stadium, cabinet position, naval base...a few holdouts turn into a feeding frenzy, with states voting Ross to extort more stuff. A good plan, until Delaware, which had quietly abstained before, votes Ross and gives her the winning 26th vote. The party realizes the danger in having a president who doesn't need to be loved, doesn't owe anyone anything, and doesn't fear humiliation...

As is often the case, I'm missing an issue here! Need to find #4, which I think addresses drone warfare--actually, the drones are called "sentries" here, since drones have been relegated to things like taco delivery. The more-than-slightly dystopian future of this series, particularly the tech, reminded me a lot of TV's Black Mirror; although Prez is a little more upbeat. I know a concluding special is due shortly, I'll be keeping an eye out for it.

2 comments:

Mr. Morbid's House Of Fun said...

Now that's a series I need to watch more; Black Mirror. Damn good Twilight Zone-esque stuff.

CalvinPitt said...

I picked the trade of this up back in the spring. It was pretty good.