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EAGLE VOL. 19: FIRES ON THE PLAIN (Best of the Week!)
Highly Recommended (10/10)
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Viz Comics
Writer/Artist: Kaiji Kawaguchi
Translation: Yuji Oniki
Touch-Up Artist: Steve Dutro
Editor: Carl Gustav Horn
Price: $6.95 US/$11.50 CAN |
This may have been the best issue of Eagle yet, and with the strength of this
series so far, that's saying something. In addition to the closing chapter of
the unions story, this issue introduces an aspect of the story that has been
fairly subtle thus far, that of racism, and does it in a way that is believable
and intense. Mixed up in the examination of racism in America (very interesting
to see from an outside point of view like Kawaguchi's) is the notion of
assassination, which allows Kawaguchi to introduce another interesting character
from Yamaoka's secret service detail and to really rev up the tension in the
book, leading to one of the most shocking cliffhangers I've seen in Eagle yet.
While Kawaguchi clearly likes his main
character Ken Yamaoka, and knows him as well as he knows himself, he has been
very good about sharing the spotlight. Whether it's with other supporting
characters like Takashi or Rachel or the "episodic guest stars" like the King of
New York, Vice President Al, or union leader Kozlov, a lot of attention goes
into making the various other characters appear as real and important as Yamaoka
to the story. Because while the story in the early part of this issue is
ultimately about Yamaoka getting votes he needs, it's also about a career
turning point for Kozlov and a mutual respect between two powerful leaders.
Once the union story wraps up, though, the
book gets really interesting. One of the suspension of disbelief issues for this
comic is believing that America, even in the 21st century, is capable of
electing a non-white leader. Time and again, subtle racism and sexism has
presented itself in elections for high offices, and though I'd like to believe
America is more enlightened than that, the honest truth is that it may still be
impossible to break through the barriers of ignorance and hatred that racism
represents. Kawaguchi manages an insightful look into racism, both the subtle
brand found in upper middle class ranks and the more brutal and up-front
versions seen in white pride rallies and supremacist groups. What makes it all
the more impressive is that he does it so effectively from an outsider's point
of view, and that he does it without making offensive judgments about America
and the racist streak that infects parts of it.
I was particularly impressed that Kawaguchi
so effectively captures the subtle racism so well, as well as conveying that
it's not always easy to pin down racist thoughts, in yourself or others. The
secret service agent, candidate Grant and the upper middle class example we see
all show signs of having racist beliefs, but most of them are not evil men, they
are simply not thinking their beliefs all the way through. I was also kept
guessing up until the very end whether or not Agent Clooney was in fact actively
racist and working against Yamaoka somehow or not.
Because white supremacists and violence seem to go together, this is also the issue of Eagle
which introduces the almost inevitable event in a political story:
assassination. The tension is built up throughout, basically setting up an
attempt on Yamaoka's life, and when it comes, he disarms it in a way that is
fitting to the character and very dramatic. And then we get the real surprise,
and another cliffhanger that has me anxious to see the next issue.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review. |
