The New York Times’ politics blog spotlights Presidential Material, IDW Publishing’s “graphic biographies” of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama.
The two 28-page comics will be released on Oct. 8. The Obama book is by Jeff Mariotte and Tom Morgan, and the McCain book by Andrew Helfer and Stephen Thompson. J. Scott Campbell drew both covers.
“There have been comic book biographies before, that’s not new,” IDW’s Scott Dunbier tells The Times. “But we’re talking about a story that isn’t finished: two views of the candidates, two men who are both vying for what is arguably the most important job in the world.”
IDW’s press release can be found after the break:
IDW PUBLISHING PRESENTS GRAPHIC NOVEL BIOGRAPHIES OF U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA AND SENATOR JOHN McCAIN
GoComics Will Bring Comic Books To Mobile Users Worldwide(San Diego, CA; July 22, 2008) — Seldom has there been a presidential election year as momentous as this one. The larger-than-life personal stories and come-from-behind political victories of the presumptive candidates, Senator Barack Obama (Dem; IL) and Senator John McCain (Rep; AZ), have electrified the political discourse in this country and around the world. Now IDW Publishing (www.idwpublishing.com) is pleased to present an extraordinary venture in this political year: a pair of biographies, PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL: BARACK OBAMA (Author: Jeff Mariotte/Artist: Tom Morgan) and PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL: JOHN MCCAIN (Author: Andy Helfer/Artist: Stephen Thompson) presented in one of the true American art forms, the comic book. These graphic novel biographies are painstakingly researched with beautifully drawn depictions highlighting key incidents in the lives of the two men. Sure to be a hot collector’s item, the books can be pre-ordered starting today at www.presidentialcomics.com in advance of the October 8 publication date. In addition to the separate tomes, the two issues will also be available in a special trade paperback flip-book edition.
“We’re tremendously proud of these books,” says IDW president Ted Adams. “Comics and graphic novels speak to millions of people encompassing all demographic, social, cultural and economic stripes. It’s a great way to get beyond the headlines on these two candidates.”
In addition to the print versions, mobile phone users can purchase the books for downloading through uclick’s GoComics mobile comic book reader at www.gocomics.com/presidents. The books will be available on phones through top U.S. carriers and on the mobile Internet at http://m.gocomics.com. A leading digital entertainment provider offering a broad mix of popular products for the Web and mobile phones, uclick’s content lineup includes other IDW properties, among many other leading brands.
“The Presidential Material books are the latest example of why IDW is considered one of the most innovative comic book publishing companies,” said Jeff Webber, Uclick Vice President of Product Development. “The simultaneous release of these books in print and on mobile phones has never been done in the U.S. before. We’ve seen a lot of new ground broken so far in this presidential contest, so it’s fitting that these books should be released in a way that’s unprecedented.”
The powerful cover art illustrations for both books were created by fan favorite J. Scott Campbell. His first book was the popular Gen13, which he followed with Danger Girl, a runaway bestseller that spawned a video game as well as a series of toys. More recently he has been working on a Spider-Man series that will debut in 2009.
Senator Barack Obama’s meteoric rise to the top of the Democratic Party is the stuff of political legend. His epic battle with Senator Hillary Clinton to be the Democratic Party’s nominee has ensured, regardless of outcome, a historic election in November. Obama author Jeff Mariotte is an award-winning, bestselling writer of more than 30 novels, including original supernatural thrillers River Runs Red and Missing White Girl, horror epic The Slab, and Stoker Award nominated teen horror series Witch Season, as well as books set in the universes of CSI: Miami, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Supernatural, Spider-Man, Superman, and Star Trek. He is a veteran comics author, including his original Western series, Desperadoes.
Senator John McCain comes from a family steeped in public service—both his father and grandfather were Admirals in the U.S. Navy—and he has followed in that tradition. His Navy tenure included an extended period as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and he has been a longtime member of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Andy Helfer, author of the John McCain bio, has been one of comics’ most innovative forces since 1980. During his tenure in charge of Paradox Press, an experimental imprint of DC Comics, he published the original graphic novels Road to Perdition and A History of Violence, both of which became major feature films. He is also the author of well-received and critically lauded graphic novel biographies of Ronald Reagan and Malcolm X.
BARACK OBAMA: PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL: 28 pages of story and art, plus annotations. $3.99 cover price. JOHN MCCAIN: PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL: 28 pages of story and art, plus annotations. $3.99 cover price. FLIP-BOOK encompassing both titles: $7.99 cover price.
About IDW: IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, Calif. As a leader in the horror, action, and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry including: television’s #1 prime time series CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Paramount’s Star Trek; Fox’s Angel; Hasbro’s The Transformers, and the BBC’s Doctor Who. IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. In April 2008, IDW released Michael Recycle, the first title from its new children’s book imprint, Worthwhile Books. More information about the company can be found at http://www.idwpublishing.com.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I know Republicans are red, but adding a “red sky” effect to McCain’s cover doesn’t give off a good vibe. I wonder if it was intentional to make it look menacing.
On the other hand, Obama looks like he’s wearing a pants suit, so maybe it all balances out.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Well, Ken, if you know anything about Mr. McCain, reading his issue will show that he is an amazing American, and has done much to defend our country. While I don’t agree with much of his politics, I will say that he is a war veteran and has a truly interesting story around his war history. Good luck to both candidates, regardless of the winner, lets hope for change.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I wonder if the McCain book will include a chapter where he cheats on and then dumps his disfigured first wife.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I wonder if the Obama book will include a chapter where he does nothing of any meaningful signifigance until winning the Democratic nomination
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I wonder if Steve and John are going to make each other cry.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I think they should pick out curtains. We clearly have a love match.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I think the “Red Skies” effect is quite appropriate given its history in comics…
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
You’re just upset you weren’t invited to the wedding, Matt.
I’m finding nothing on the Reagan book Helfer did, but a google search does pull up a Newsarama interview about the Malcolm X graphic novel, where he seems to have had a decent grasp of what to accomplish.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:10 pm
The story of a fighter pilot and POW vs. the story of a community organizer.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Hopefully, both will be read — for my part, I strived to be objective and truthful, not too difficult because for once in my life I found myself with good things to see in either of the two candidates. Despite being a firm believer in the notion that we’re currently in the midst of witnessing the decline and fall of the American Empire, I can’t help but feel either candidate can only make somewhat better an otherwise awful situation.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
If McCain’s book features him cheating on his wife, Obama’s must include his cocaine usage. Which I’m sure isn’t as morally wrong as adultery to you, but to others, a substance that has taken a close friend is.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 pm
You know, this has been rolling through my head a bit, but does anyone think Obama is a lot like Ken Wind candidate from the Elektra: Assassin mini-series by Miller and Sienkewicz in the ’80s?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Tell us more Ken, some of us were born in the mid 80′s and missed it.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:04 am
To the gentlemen making assertions about the “red skies” or the red tint to the McCain cover. Do we need to go over the Red State/Blue State thing? If you’ll notice, Obama’s cover has a BLUE tint to it. Maybe its not as obvious because of the blue sky, but its there. So, no “menace” meant on McCain’s cover.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:16 am
Haven’t read it Ken, though I also know that McCain sometimes strikes me as being a lot like Buck Turgidson.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:41 am
I sure hope McCain’s book includes the time he tried to corner the Gotham seafood market with his trademarked McCain Fish.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:19 am
I can’t wait for the cross over ‘Electoral Crisis’ where all the candidates from the primary team up to defeat the Anti Monitor.
Although this will raise continuity questions regarding which is the true Senator Dodd (pre-crisis Dodd or post) It’ll clean up time line hiccups for Obama, Clinton and Flame Bird.
McCain’s history changes the least and Frank Miller plans on re-exploring the war hero’s origin, updating it for today’s audience, in a four part series on the regular title; ‘John McCain: Year One’
As always, a Flash will die.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:13 am
John MCcain even looks old on that cover.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:33 am
OMG…Obama isn’t wearing a flag pin on his lapel on this cover!!! Wait, it doesn’t appear that McCain is either! Neither one must be true ‘Mericans after all!!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
GeneralZod:
Duh. I know it’s red/blue. The trouble is, blue skies are, you know, normal. Having a red sky behind McCain, without even the benefit of giving a sun rising or something to make it not look so odd is what’s the problem.
Josh:
It was a mini series where there was a candidate running against Reagan for office. It was this young guy who talked about change and was this ultra liberal. If I remember this correctly, he had a slogan like “Not wind like a clock, but wind like the sky.” or something close (I got the clock part right, I know).
The thing was though, he was like this super evil leader of the Hand. He was this quasi demon who was hiding his true form somehow, this was when the Hand were telepaths and all that jive. He also smelled like old mayonnaise.
He wins the election, but Elektra kills him and replaces his mind with her Shield partner who was this hardass. So at least disaster averted there, right?
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:01 am
Strange how McCain looks menacing like the Joker and Obama looks heroic like Black Lightning. Just a thought!
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
As we all, know, displaying the flag reversed is a universal symbol for SOS. Therefore, showing the flag reversed on Obama’s cover is an OBVIOUS attempt to imply that he is helpless, and not fit to be President.
This cover must be banned immediately, and a written letter of apology written to the Obama campaign.
…I just thought I’d get the ball rolling
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:27 am
Come on they both suck, we haven’t had a good president since Regan.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
I’m thinking McCain’s will be the more interesting one… his life has been particularly eventful, whereas Obama’s seems fairly ordinary (up to becoming a senator and presidential nominee, obviously). I wonder if, because of this, the Obama issue will be more political than biographical (focusing on his work inside the Senate).
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:47 am
Yeah Crisen, we need another president whose voodoo economic theories were the foundation of a huge deficit!
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:53 am
Yeah, but what political work inside of the Senate for Obama? Remember the Democratic debates, both Edwards and Clinton were getting on his lack of a record. He hasn’t pushed through any original law. He has missed any controversial vote so he doesn’t have to take a stand. Yeah. Right.
At least McCain states his mind and has a record people can see.
And on the issue of “flip flopping” our new favorite subject.
McCain has changed his mind on a few issues, explaining his reasoning and learning, like any human being.
Obama says one thing to one group of people one day, the opposite the next day to another group of people, and never gives any explanation. He’s an opportunist, who will say whatever he needs to so he’s elected.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Well, since Obama has only served 143 days in the senate, maybe they could break the pages into 7-8 panels to cover all those days?
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Everyone should have voted for Ron Paul when you had the chance.
http://www.ronpaul2008.com
Things are about to get very bad.
http://www.infowars.com
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Obama’s story is only worth a backup feature. It like his public speaking prowess, are a SNOOZE…
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
M Kitchen go back to Stormfront.org. Paul is DOA…
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Crisen Maharaj had the best response yet.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I’m torn over which statement is more laughable: that “Regan” (sic) was somehow a good president, or the namedropping of Ron Paul, official candidate of racists, truthers, and complete fucking lunatics.
Tell us more about how we must return the country to the gold standard and abolish the department of eduucation and then we will all live in a utopia of states rights and free market capitalism much like the libertarian paradise of Mogadishu.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Can we dial back the “Batman rules, Spider-Man drools” levels of political discourse, please?
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Ken B.-
If its so “duh”, then why bring it up as if you’re confused? Are you being obtuse on purpose? Its more than just “blue” skies behind Obama. Its an extra blue tint, the same as McCain has.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Which one’s the Skrull again?
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Umm, it’s “Reagan,” Crisen. Don’t feel bad. he couldn’t spell either.
McCain should be happy with his cover. He could pass for a youthful 60!
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Re: CycloneD
You need to do some homework.
You can start with watching this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGjjVArVKNY
If that body language doesn’t look guilty to you, then… well… I guess in that case you can buy TWO copies of the IDW comic to bag and board. Maybe even get them signed by McCain at the next Bohemian Grove!
Good grief.
Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich were the only two real choices in 2008.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Does anybody else think that McCain looks like someone from the Chipmunks?
September 25th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
That’s pretty cool. And a little cute.
I might get both.
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