CITIZEN JACK
Political demonology
released OUT NOW! Publisher Image Comics
Writer Sam Humphries
Artist Tommy Patterson
The US Presidential elections are fast approaching, and the latest ongoing series from Image directly takes on the dark underbelly of American politics. Citizen Jack is a twisted mix of horror- comedy and political satire, and its first three issues showcase a broad, 2000 AD- esque mix of gore, weirdness and gallows humour.
The story follows Jack Northworthy, a womanising Minnesota snowblower salesman who decides to run for President. Despite his chaotic background, Jack ends up a contender to snatch the “Freedom Party” nomination – but his most important ally is a bloodthirsty demon called Marlinspike, who’s going to get Jack to the White House by any means necessary.
While it’s hard not to draw parallels between Northworthy and controversial real- life figures, Citizen Jack is a satire that targets the entire political process. The comic’s scattershot approach is helped by Tommy Patterson’s inventively grotesque art, but writer Sam Humphries fails to balance humour with genuine horror, leaving the series feeling cartoony and obvious. Despite its lurid approach and some fun moments, Citizen Jack struggles to say anything about American politics that hasn’t been heard many times before. Saxon Bullock
The words “Democrat” or “Republican” are not used. “We’re non- partisan in our satire,” Sam Humphries explains.