Political Thrillers Of The ’70s Targeted In New Sci-Fi Satire Graphic Novel ‘Justice Warriors: Vote Harder’
by Olly MacNamee
Justice Warriors, the smart sci-fi buddy cop political satire from Matt Bors (founder of The Nib and twice time Pulitzer Prize finalist) and Ben Clarkson (acclaimed filmmaker and illustrator) is returning with brand-new graphic novel Justice Warriors: Vote Harder. And here’s what to expect:
“The first JUSTICE WARRIORS series followed police officers Swamp Cop and Schitt as they patrolled the crime-free metropolis of Bubble City and its surrounding mutant-packed Uninhabited Zone. Now in VOTE HARDER, Bubble City’s first ever election for mayor pulls Officer Swamp into a violent mission that will put him on a collision course with his beloved partner Schitt. Co-written by Clarkson and Bors with art by Clarkson and backup illustrations by Bors, JUSTICE WARRIORS: VOTE HARDER features colors by Felipe Sobreiro and lettering by Bors.
In crime-free utopia Bubble City’s first-ever election for mayor, feckless celebrity incumbent The Prince faces a challenge from within the Bubble’s elite: his half-cousin Stuffina Vippix IX, who promises austerity and competency. Finally a choice for the people! But out in the Uninhabited Zone, which is packed with millions of mutants, the radical and armed Flauf Tanko mounts a third-party run to inspire the masses who are fed up with the entire system. Rallying to protect the votes from the people, mutant cops Swamp and Schitt are called in on special duty. Schitt must act as bodyguard to the Prince, while his poll numbers drop and assassination attempts ramp up. Meanwhile, Swamp is sent on a clandestine mission inside the mutant opposition—to infiltrate, report, and maybe fall in love with a passionate activist triggering an identity crisis. Can the two partners survive being pitted against each other in a horserace? “
Talking about the new graphic novel, Bors said:
“JUSTICE WARRIORS: VOTE HARDER takes the feel of paranoid political thrillers of the 70s and updates it for the online age of conspiracy, partisanship, and the desire to break out of the confines of the ballot box to do something far more radical. Unlikable candidates. An unfair media. And a system designed to prevent real change. It’s the most important election of everyone’s life—and possibly their last.”
Partner in crime, Clarkson, added:
“JUSTICE WARRIORS: VOTE HARDER is an epic thrillride about the infiltration of civil society by law enforcement, the corrupt bickering of unaccountable elites, and unchecked military expansion which is, of course, unrelated to the regular healthy function of our corporate oligopoly — er, democracy. It’s bigger, badder and more justicier than the original with a thrilling dose of orbital space lasers, giraffe assassins and obscure parliamentary procedure.”
Not to be left out, AHOY Comics Editor-in-Chief Tom Peyer, added his two-cents:
“JUSTICE WARRIORS: VOTE HARDER is funny, it makes sharp points, and its artwork is so densely detailed I can only call it ‘amphetaminesque. It’s bound to cross your mind while you’re voting and it might even take some of the sting away.”
Look out for Justice Warriors: Vote Harder out on Wednesdayon September 11, 2024th from AHOY Comics. Ahead of that, you could always do yourself a favour and read my interview with Bors and Clarkson here, talking about the original Justice Warriors.
