Perhaps in a direct effort to get some of that money that IDW Publishing was getting with their Barack Obama comics, in August 2009 Bluewater Comics published their own comic book biography of the then-President of the United States.

Like the other comics, this 23-page story recounts Barack Obama’s life up until he first got elected President. His childhood is only given a few pages, with most of the issues focusing on his post-college adult life, beginning with his work as a community organizer in Chicago (where he lead a voter registration drive in Black communities that helped Bill Clinton win the 1992 election by turning Illinois “Blue” for the first time in 20 years) to his rising political campaign. His time in the State Senate is covered, and then his run for U.S. Senate, and then the decision to run for President and his tough campaign against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination and his run against John McCain in the general election. It all culminates in his victory and his inaugural speech in January 2009.

So as a biography, there’s not anything new here. If you know Barack Obama’s story, you already know what to expect. In fact, some major details are left out or glossed over. There’s no mention of his failed congressional run, and there’s little mention of Michelle or their daughters. But Rev. Jeremiah Wright is in here, as are Joe The Plumber and Rod Blagojevich. But what makes this issue stand out to me, is how the information is told.

The writer of the book, Chris Ward, put himself in the comic, he is our lead character. Breaking the Fourth Wall, he directly addresses us, the readers, as a native of Illinois who was there as Barack Obama’s career rose (and he is a fan, no pretense at non-partisanship here). And it’s not just him, early in the comic he’s joined by the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, who steps in to ask questions that Chris Ward elaborates on. And thus this book takes a humorous tone, like a Deadpool comic. And there are many visual sight-gags, such as Obama in a Superman costume, Barack’s parents on the old Love Connection TV show, and exaggerated portrayals of figures like Sarah Palin (shouting “HIYA! YOU BETCHA’! DARN TOOTIN’! SHUCKY DANG DERN!”).

And it’s all drawn by Azim Akberali, who does a very good job, but who sadly died back in January.

This is an entertaining and informative comic book. Chacebook rating: FIVE STARS

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON.COM