Though it was basically a lot of people just blowing off some steam, the month of November was filled with talk of Americans considering a move to Canada, in light of recent politicla developments in the United States. The perception is that corporate and political corruption are at an all-time high, and the reason is clear: the powers that be don't even bother to try to hide their conflicts of interest. In one instance that's made headlines in the comic-book industry, a law designed to protect against theft of intellectual property is being used to silence artists with a critical view of George W. Bush. Special interest groups coerce networks to keep content and commercials off the air. The notion of a monogamous commitment between two adults of the same sex has the most powerful nation on the planet quivering in fear for some reason that will forever elude me. These are just some of the realities that give rise to the surreal, Orwellian world of Trigger.
Carter Lennox feels adrift in his own life. His job offers no challenge, and it takes him away from family far too often. He fills his spare time with the two escapes that make him feel alive: reading old-fashioned books that are all too rare, and writing on a manual typewriter, deemed archaic and even taboo in the futuristic landscape he calls home. It's a world that's run like a well-oiled machine, but not by government. Ethicorp makes the world go 'round, controlling the news, censoring entertainment feeds and approving only products from which it can profit. There are even rumors that Ethicopr employs a legion of Triggers, assassins who tow the corporate line in the extreme, and Carter gets a first-hand look at one in action.
Watkiss does an excellent job of combining a futuristic, sci-fi look with the sort of noir sensibility by which the main character is fascinated. There's a definite Blade Runner sort of feel to be found here, but Watkiss's vision of the future is more antiseptic, in keeping with the plot and themes being explored in this premise. Jeromy Cox's colors reinforce the dark and slightly unnatural feel of the setting nicely. He's known for much brighter tones, but he reins that tendency in here so as not to conflict with the storytelling.
I think the moment that connected with me most effectively was the news conference filled with "journalists" who were more than willing to lob easy questions and reinforce the happy-smiley Ethicorp message. I'm a journalist, and this sort of thing happens far too often. There are a number of reasons -- necessity, limited media resources, laziness, litigiousness... the list goes on -- and it's incredibly frustrating. I'm just as guilty as others, I admit it. One will be hard-pressed not to find a journalist who's written that puff piece that felt more like a waste of an afternoon than an effort to inform the public.
Surprisingly, the least interesting notion in this first issue is the one from which the series derives its title. I'm far more interested in the political, economic and media-oriented themes and ideas explored here than the violence, action and mystery of the Triggers. Hall's examination of real-world issues through this sci-fi filter is not only engaging, but it's important. 8/10
