Next week, I am going to be interviewing Howard Chaykin. I am pretty hyped. I also realize that I have my work cut out for me in regards to reading I need to do. Before getting into American Flagg, there is a feeling of knowing that this is an important comic and I need to really get into it. This one of those important books that paved the way for cheap imitators to use some of the comicking tools that Chaykin unleashed to the comic world.
With that in mind, after reading the first American Flagg collection, I think it’s great. The book is driven by a hyper ADD feeling of information overload. I find that stories that Chaykin is covering are more revelant today than the 25 years ago the original issues came out. The world of American Flagg has been copied in a countless array of series, and really what was done first, was done best. Chaykin’s protaganist, isn’t a perfect afable hero, but is just guy in a situation, doing what he has to do. I will have more to say about this book, when I talk to Howard, but really do yourself a favor and pick it up. If you don’t want to shell out for the collections, go to your local comic store and pick up issues out of the quarter bin. After reading issue one, you will look at Dark Knight Returns, completely differently.
