Chaykin | American Flagg! | Complete Nonsense | 1984

Howard Chaykin's unrestricted political wit, innovative page design - along with in-your-face lettering by Ken Bruzenak - redefined what comics looked, sounded, and read like when it debuted in 1983 (going from the latest issue of The New Teen Titans to American Flagg! #1 almost melted my teenage brain).

The first 12 issues won tons of awards and paved the way for the comics' breakthrough of the late-80s. In this page from #9, Plexus Ranger Reuben Flagg uses some persuasion to get information on a couple of bad guys . . . "BLAM!"

For those unfamiliar, Reuben Flagg was the star of a hit TV show in 2031, but got replaced by a computer-generated AI actor. Out of work, he joins the Plexus Rangers in Chicago . . . a kind of national police force.

Not possible.

Flagg is stationed in the Chicago Plex Mall, which is a fortress-like city within a city. Plex Malls are controlled by The Plex, a corporate/government hybrid. Flagg quickly realizes that Plex leaders are corrupt. Flagg also discovers how Plex-controlled media manipulates broadcasts and entertainment to control the narrative and distract citizens while consolidating power.

Not in America.

During this 12-issue arc, Flagg exposes corruption and false media narratives while navigating a complex world in which government and corporations have become intertwined.

Nonsense.