review: The American Way #1-4 (of 8) (2006)

Publisher: DC Comics (Wildstorm Signature)
Writer: John Ridley
Artists: Georges Jeanty, Karl Story

Rating: 7/10

I was hooked on this series from the first issue, and half-way through its run, it still hasn't let me down. I like the concept, and so far it's been handled very well. It's not just a one note gimmick which loses steam after the initial revelation. Each issue builds on the premise, revealing more details, while also raising more questions and conflicts. More importantly, the gimmick isn't the story, but just the setting for telling a more complex story about more complex social issues.

If I had anything to complain about, it would be that there are a few too many players and they're being introduced too slowly, but I think that might be deliberate. This seems like the type of book where some things just aren't going to make sense until you have the complete picture -- on a second read you'll notice things that you didn't the first time, and things that seemed undeveloped or out-of-place will begin to fit. As long as it's in service to the larger story, I don't mind being left in the dark a bit.

The artwork is also very good. It's a less fussy, less dynamic style that fits well with the "retro-ness" of the book, and with the fact that these characters are not as dynamic as we might normally expect of superheroes.

Overall, very good. If it keeps on track, and keeps adding to the big picture, the series as a whole might even warrant another rating point, but I'll be conservative for now.