Three years ago, the Sept.11 terrorist attacks had an unfortunate side effect: paranoia. Even the government seems willing to sacrifice the freedoms upon which American society was founded in order to maintain security (or at least a perception that the bigwigs had things under control). Citizens were encouraged to spy on one another. A war against a nation uninvolved in the attacks was launched. In the end, the scapegoats were found beyond America's borders. In this graphic novel, J. Torres examines a period of history in which the scapegoats were found within, and like today, actual culpability was a concern that went ignored. McCarthyism stories have a new context in which they can be viewed, and it brings an added resonance for those of us who weren't around five decades ago for the social chaos.
Harry Richards is a down-on-his-luck private eye living in 1950s Los Angeles who really wants to write. Unlike just about everyone else in town, though, he longs to write about what's going on around him, but has to be satisfied with passing on tips to his sometime-employer back in New York. Harry finally has enough of it, though, and with the backing of a casting-agent friend who's about to be blacklisted in Hollywood, he puts together his own gossip tabloid: Scandalous. He makes enemies quickly, but rocks the city with his refusal to play all the games everyone else is playing.
Chantler's artwork suits the period perfectly. He captured the innocence of America in Days Like This incredibly well, but his portrayal of the darker side of a similar period works just as well. He boasts a cartoony, light style, but little touches, like Harry's scruff and the perspiration-laden despair of the Chaz character, bring a more tense and mature tone to the book. His character designs and settings are fantastic, conveying the charm and personality of the period wonderfully. There's a real depth to his art as well. Greytones are used to great effect here.
I was a bit confused as I read through the first half or so of this book. It wasn't clear to me who the hero of the piece was. Some of the villains were clear, especially when it came to gossip columnist Paige Turner. Her downfall is a moment in which the reader delights. But the question of the hero... after a while, the answer became apparent. This was a story without a hero, at least in the traditional sense. This was a story full of victims. Some fall victim to their own egos. Harry falls victim to naivete... a forgiveable sin.
We cheer Harry on because he refuses to make compromises. He reaches out and grabs for control of his life after years of being tread upon. It's admirable, but still, the reader is aware his work is to tear people's personal lives apart. There's an idealism to the character but also a distasteful aspect. I love the conflict the character throws at the reader.
Scandalous is ultimately about the ugly side of people. It's about greed, vice, power and ego. Scandalous shares no characters in common with the creators' previous collaboration, Days Like This, but it's an interesting bookend. The previous graphic novel was about the joy of life, about the celebration of music and success. Scandalous takes a harsher view of the human experience and of a world built on fame and entertainment.
