COMICS PORTAL: DC Re-Releasing ‘PREZ’ In YA Format

DC is making a very smart move that deserves attention—re-releasing appropriate comics in the current young adult graphic novel format!

‘PREZ: SETTING A DANGEROUS PRESIDENT’ COMING BACK!

YA (young adult) graphic novels are tremendously popular these days, and I think that DC is making an intelligent move to begin bringing back certain comics in that format for fans both new and old.

This year, 2024, is an important election year (aren’t they all, usually?), so reprinting Prez: Setting a Dangerous President written by Mark Russell with art by Ben Caldwell, is worthy of our attention.

Here’s a description of the series, taken from a recent DC news release:

Prez: Setting a Dangerous President introduces readers to fast-food worker Beth Ross, against the backdrop of a national meltdown and the 2046 presidential elections. Due to a hilarious combination of events and a video of Beth getting her hair caught in a deep fryer, the 19-year-old viral sensation known as “Corndog Girl” becomes the youngest commander-in-chief in United States history. In a nation where corporations can run for office, the poor are used as human billboards, and tacos are delivered by drone, is the social-media sensation ready for politics, and is politics ready for her?

This 184-page softcover will collect the original six-issue Prez series and include a new original story by the book’s creators. It will also include a short story from the 2016 Catwoman: Election Night one-shot plus the original Prez sneak peek from 2015’s “DC You” publishing initiative.

More info about this series from the news release is here:

At a time more relevant than ever, DC is re-releasing Russell’s first work for the publisher as a graphic novel for young adults, with additional bonus content. Prez: Setting a Dangerous President arrives in all participating comic book shops, bookstores, and mass-market retailers and e-tailers Tuesday, June 4.

This book was previously selected as one of YALSA’s (Young Adult Library Services Association) Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teens and has received quite a lot of recognition for raising interesting political issues that, in my opinion, would be great for voters to at least consider this year.

MARK RUSSELL IS A THOUGHTFUL WRITER!

I’m glad that I have had the chance to interview Mr. Russell for my weekly podcast here at MajorSpoilers.com. His work for DC has included the Eisner-nominated The Flintstones, Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles (winner of the 2019 GLAAD Award for Outstanding Comic), Wonder Twins, One-Star Squadron, Superman: Space Age (2022 Eisner nominee, Best Limited Series), and the upcoming Batman: Dark Age.

He has also created other books that have appeared from other publishers, including a Dynamite Comics’ Red Sonja series, Ahoy Comics’ Second Coming, Cereal, and Billionaire Island, among others.

I have to admit, and I told Mr. Russell this when I spoke with him, that Second Coming, a religious satire series that focused on Jesus being told by God that He had to be a roommate with Sunstar (who suspiciously resembles Superman) in the current era, really made me nervous. Comics that deal with religious subjects often don’t look kindly on them or people who believe them.

However, when I read the book, I found the writing very thoughtful, really respectful of a lot of the subjects being discussed, and he gave me a lot to consider. Russell added a lot to what I would think about during our interview, and I strongly suggest readers interested in exploring different aspects of religion, Christianity, and even superheroes pick up that title.

For those who want to listen to that interview, be sure to go to this link where we focus on Second Coming and Billionaire Island.

Honestly, if I see Mark Russell’s name on something, I buy it! It will always give me hours of engagement followed by lots of good time considering what I just read. I love that in a comic book!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!

I’m a reader who WANTS to explore the depths of fiction when I get into it. I’ve often told the story of how I would watch Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and discover, about 15-20 minutes after the episode ended, I was still thinking about all that happened during that hour of TV. I particularly love comics that elicit the very same reaction.

I love to read books dealing with areas I know very little about. I also enjoy different points of view, so I will pick up stories that make me think about subjects I hadn’t explored previously. Do I always “buy” the points of view being sent my way? Absolutely not, but I at least understand that different method of approaching things better!

So, I will be sure to pick up this new edition of Prez when it appears in June and happily revisit the tale and check out the new story, among other things.

What about you? Are you up to check out what points of view Mr. Russell has put down in comic format? I hope you will! You likely will not agree with all he says, but you will at least have thought more about things that may widen your perspective on what’s going on today in politics!

What do you think? Do you like to read comics that approach subjects in ways you may not have previously considered? Is it good to have your ways of thinking challenged no matter how long you have held them? What suggestions for other series; that DC (and other companies) could publish in the YA format? Whatever your opinion, feel free to share it in the space below!

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