Howard Chaykin, American Flagg! issue 5 page 20 (1983)
Artist: Howard Chaykin (All)
85 Views - 8 Comments - 6 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionThe first of a rare consecutive page set from an early Flagg issue (the next page to follow), this page shows most everything that made American Flagg such a ground-breaking comic.* The page construction - the first two panels are mirror images facing each other: one of the protestors and one of the Plexus Rangers. The imagery parallels the story, given Reuben's comment that he may be on the wrong side in this fight which to him increasingly resembles the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Chaykin wove themes of Jewish oppression and rebellion into the first 12 issues of Flagg, culminating in the penultimate scene in issue 12 where Flagg cries out that his nearly unstoppable fascist opponent is a Golem. As usual, the genius of Flagg is that each of the immediate plot, longer term story and design of the page all link together in ways that become apparent eventually in this well-plotted story. * Creation of language and words - "Nightmachers," a term used to describe a weapon causing an immediate blackout (like a more effective smoke bomb) and heavily reminiscent of Nazi terminology and the background SHHHHHH as the darkness sets in, but also "Wakka-Ding-Hoy," the slightly ridiculous Plexus Ranger battle cry. The second panel shows two Rangers setting off the Nightmacher which allows us to see the darkness emerge from each gun. * The visual clues on the page can easily make one forget that Flagg is on this (illegal) basketball tour to South America to try and figure out who is broadcasting subliminals to the Chicago area. Chaykin expertly weaves in and out of this long-term tale of population subjugation through video cues and legalized gambling on violence (but not sports). I will never stop raising how overlooked Flagg is among the pantheon of 1980s comics: Dark Night Returns would not have the visual punch it does without Chaykin first employing many of the visual notes in Flagg, and Watchman borrows heavily from the theme of power corrupting as Flagg shows how the Plexus Rangers exist not to safeguard the population but to subjugate them as they safeguard the interests of the powerful. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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John C 
Member Since 2014
Posted on 10/12/2025
I loved the issue where Archie tried to organize the equipment room but it ended up in disaster.
Chaykin Dude
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 10/12/2025
How awesome that you were able to collect two consecutive pages! Wakka-Ding-Hoy!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/13/2025
More powerful today than when Chaykin first imagined this in the 80's. He was right about everything.
Doug L.
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 10/13/2025
Marcus Wai wrote:
More powerful today than when Chaykin first imagined this in the 80's. He was right about everything.
The talking cat?
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/13/2025
Doug L. wrote:
The talking cat?
You haven't seen what they can do these days?
Doug L.
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 10/13/2025
Marcus Wai wrote:
You haven't seen what they can do these days?
Don't forget the popular TV show, "interspecies romance"!
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