The revamped version of the series, officially title Howard Chaykin's American Flagg, lasted 12 issues.  The original series, just titled American Flagg, lasted 50 issues.  Chaykin wrote and drew the first 12, then wrote #13 & 14, with guest artists, then was back to full duties on 15-26.  Alan Moore and Don Lomax handle #27, then Chaykin scripts 28-30, with Joe Staton on art.  31-32 has Chakin co-scripting with Steven Grant and Mark Badger on art.  Then, Chaykin is gone, until issues 46-50, where he does a mix of plots, co-scripting (with Mindy Newell) and some inks.  The series ends at 50 and they launch Howard Chaykin's American Flagg, with Chaykin writing and overseeing things, with Mike Vosburg doing his best Chaykin imitation.

So, I don't intend to cover the Grant/Badger and DeMatteiss/Badger issues; just the ones where Chaykin was handling things, though I will cover the Moore/Lomax one, since it is somewhat consistent with things.

Funny enough, Chaykin says the series "saved my life."  he had amassed a lot of debt, working for Byron Preiss, on Stars My Destination and Empire.  He wasn't a superstar name in comics and his most critically acclaimed work had led to little commercial success.  First offered him enough money to get out of debt and buy his New York apartment.  So, that was his impetus to fully commit to a series and channel all these influences coursing through him.  As he says, he was not a Marvel guy or a superhero guy. His influences were sci-fi and fantasy novels, crime fiction, crime movies, westerns, musical theater, jazz, fashion (once Gil Kane turned him onto it, just to get a more professional appearance) and rock and roll.  He shared a studio with Walt Simonson, Frank Miller, James Sherman and some others (at different times), known as Upstart.  One of the reasons he was looking for an innovative letterer was that he was jealous of Walt Simonson's lettering abilities and how he incorporated it into his graphics and wanted to do something along those lines, but lacked the technical skills.  Bruzenak had that training under Steranko, who was very innovative in mixing graphic design and typography into comics, as well as surrealism and other artistic influences.

One of the things I love about Chaykin, as an artist, is his blend of his influences into his work, especially fashion design.  He makes a concerted effort to add textures and patterns and real styling to clothes, in his stories, though very much of a 1940s-50s style.  That was making a comeback in the 80s, with double-breasted suits and padded shoulders for women (and men's suit coats).  His women had very 1940s gowns and suits, with a bit of New Wave design touches, and the ever-present fetishistic accessories of stockings, stiletto heels and lingerie.  Chaykin knew fetish attire sold well to comics people because he understood that many readers had the same insecurities, particularly sexual, that he had as an adolescent and those elements were just as prevalent in superhero comics, just altered enough to try not to be blatant.  Chaykin was blatant.  I'm the first to admit that that preview art and the look of the women got my attention to try the first issue, though the story and the world building got me to pick up the next.

That first year is brilliant and the lack of planning beyond is a major problem in subsequent stories.  There is a definite arc to the first year, then Chaykin is improvising for the next year and a half, before he surrenders things to others.  At the time, you heard things like Dark Knight, Swamp Thing, Watchmen, Love & Rockets and American Flagg.  Chaykin's plotting was often better than his writing; but, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  

Pretty much.  At the same time, the success on better terms brought them better offers from DC and Marvel.  It was like getting a hit record, on a minor label and then signing a fat contract with Warner/EMI or being the star of Derp South Wrestling and getting signed to the WWF and pushed with the Intercontinental title.  The money is too good to stay in the smaller, more independent pool.  It also afforded them more freedom at DC and Marvel, so Chaykin could do things like The Shadow and Blackhawk, which definitely wasn't what had come before.  Same with Grell and The longbow Hunters or Starlin and Infinity Gauntlet.  For Ostrander and Truman, it got them bigger money offers, though they stuck with their indie roots as long as it was economically viable.

There is also an editorial factor, as Mike Gold leaving First definitely changed the dynamic there, between company and creator.  Those who were there at the start don't have good things to say about the company after Gold left.

Which I think was one of the failures, at Marvel.  DC understood it could benefit by these voices, expanding upon what they were doing and Jenette Kahn was from the book world, which wasn't as structured in the genre and its preconceptions.  Shooter was schooled only in comics.  DC provided many outlets for expression beyond standard superhero stories, while Marvel put that more into Epic, which was Archie Goodwin's realm.  Problem was, he got almost no support from the Marvel marketing side, unless it was something tied to Marvel mainstream, like Elektra:  Assassin.  Also, the terms at Epic weren't as favorable as almost any of the independents (certainly not First or Dark Horse, but more visible than Eclipse).

Sounds like I'll want to go #27, or maybe #30 depending on how the artwork looks in #28-30. I like Staton's style, usually, but Chaykin's art is such a defining element of the AF series that I'm not sure I want to see anyone else doing it, even with Chaykin writing.

American Flagg #1



Anyone who wants to make reproductions of the Plexus Ranger leather jacket can send one my way!

Creative Team: Howard Chaykin-story & art, Ken Bruzenak-lettering, Lynn Varley-coloring, Mike Gold-editing

Synopsis: Sat, October 4, 2031. 9:59 CDT. The Mars-Luna Shuttle is on approach to the Chicago Plex Mall airfield. They request landing vector from the air controller, Mandy Krieger. They get a recording, telling them they know what to do....



Mandy is away from her post, arguing with her father, Chief Ranger Hilton Krieger, at the Ranger Station. He used his influence to get her the job, from which she is absent, though she retorts the system is automated. He compares her to her mother, which is apparently a sore spot. She calls him an a-hole and storms out. Chief Ranger Krieger heads out to meet the shuttle, which is carrying his new deputy. Krieger talks with a man at the arrivals station about the new guy and says he must be an idiot, he volunteered to come to Chicago, after being drafted. The man is approaching, on a people mover, completely asleep. When it reaches the end, the sleeping man is jarred awake, as he falls backward into a Brazilian businessman. The arrivals clerk helps the man pick up his papers, which say something about the sale of the State of Illinois. Neither Krieger or the new deputy notice. Krieger does notice who the new man is, though.....



...Reuben Flagg, formerly, the star of the video series "Mark Thrust, Sexus Ranger."

While all this goes on, a clock on each page counts down to zero.

Flagg wants to hit his bunk, but Krieger says his tour starts now. He also asks Flagg how he is there, if Mark Thrust is still producing new episodes. Flagg replies that it is a long story and Krieger says he isn't that interested. They head out to the exterior concourse of the Plex mall, the massive complex that houses and provides amenities to the citizens residing there. The Plexus Rangers are the law enforcement. As they head towards a barricaded area, they hear two women arguing, until the men arrive. Fklagg is introduced to Mandy and her sparring partner, Gretchen Holstrum, madame for the local Love Canal Adult Center (aka the local cat house.....brothel, that is!) The clock, which counts down something that says "Go Gang" is nearing zero and a lookout says the first wave is approaching.

The horde headed towards the barricade consists of members of the "Go Gang," The Ethical Warlords. The Go Gangs are anarchist terrorist motorcycle gangs, unaffiliated with any of the 74 currently registered poli-clubs, in Cook County. The Rangers and the local citizenry are mustered to meet their assault, but are told to fire only rubber bullets and "snowballs," as the Warlords are taxpayers. Flagg is armed with a Snowball 99, aka "Caligari's Equalizer." It fires a frozen globe of Somnambutol ("The Tender Riot-Ender!"), an industrial strength tranquilizing gas, which renders its targets unconscious. The weapon has a distinctive sound.....





The assault breaks up and the main group heads back out and Krieger tells Flagg it is over. he explains that it happens every night, 30 minutes after the video show Bob Violence ("When you are faced with mob violence, call Bob Violence!") goes off the air. Krieger also thanks him for some tapes Flagg delivered from someone named "Kibbee," and tells him to stay away from Mandy. Flagg goes to crash at his new quarters. Flagg doesn't get much sleep, though, as the local "Welcome Wagon," Gretchum Holstrum, is waiting for him, dressed in a teddy, garter belt, stockings and stiletto heels. She makes a bit of innuendo and gets down to business.

The next morning, Flagg meets Mandy, who is breakfasting with Chicago Plex Mall mMayor C Keenan Blitz, as well as his two robotic bodyguards, Bert & Ernie. Mandy and Mayor Blitz are discussing a payoff, from some Black Market Sports. Flagg has some breakfast and mentions the welcome from Gretchen, which prompts some cattiness from mandy, then an introduction to the real cat, Raul......



...who can talk. No explanation is given, none is asked. Just accept it and move on.

Chief Ranger Krieger arrives behind Raul and collects Flagg to start his tour of duty. He passes him a dosage of "Manacillin," (a post-coital contraceptive), based on Gretchen's track record. They board a "highcycle" and tour the environs, from the air, looking down on the ruins of old Chicago. It is now a wasteland and battleground for poli-clubs. Currently, the Judeo-Christian Moralists are battling the Lesion Legion. The Plex provides them with weaponry, in exchange for exclusive rights to film the conflict for "Firefight, All Night, Live!" The registered clubs receive weapons, are restricted from airborne attacks and nukes and no adventuring in the suburbs. The show is one of the biggest in the country and is now a big hit in Brazil and being shopped to Euro-Plex, by the Pan-African Union.

Reuben's days are filled with Ranger activity, investigating crimes, stopping marauders and criminals and just generally trying to keep a lid on the worst of the chaos. he records in his journal about how the country reached this state....



Nuclear meltdowns, crop failures, revolution, ecological disaster, economic chaos...it all combines. the government, with the aid of the communications industry, relocates to the Mars Complex. A new administration is created, The Plex, to run things back home. The Tricentennial Recovery Committee is set up to restore America, by 2176. The Plexus Rangers are the law enforcement wing of the Plex, with Rangers assigned to each Plex Mall, fortified shopping and living complexes, while those outside the malls fend for themselves, with militias and other groups providing security, as well as the poli-clubs.

Flagg is interrupted by Cyril Farid-Khan, leader of the Genetic Warlords. he tells Flagg the lay of the land...his predecessor paid Kahn a bribe to shoot high, when they attacked every Saturday night and the Ranger got to live. Until he didn't. Flagg says something about the status quo around these parts and offers his American Plex Press Card, to pay the bribe.

Later, Mandy finds Reuben off-duty, relaxing, watching a documentary about "Tromplography." It is a process in which holograms replace live actors, in video entertainment series. It is how Flagg was replaced, in his tv series. The documentary ends and Bob Violence comes on and Flagg is stunned....



The violent imagery is filled with messages that say, "Kill! Rape! Mutilate!" Mandy can't see it. Flagg runs to the Ranger station and tears a headset off Krieger to show him, but he sees nothing and yells at Flagg. He leaves and runs into Raul, who tells Flagg he can see it and thinks it is their metabolism that allows them to see the subliminal messages, rather than the others (Raul, because he is a cat and Flagg, since he grew up on Mars). He tells reuben he never said anything because it is The Plex and "You don't screw with The Plex!"

The clock counts down and the Warlords approach for their weekly attack. Cyril yells "Status Quo" at Flagg and he has had enough. He dons "Buzzknucks^tm" and grabs a riot shield, then tackles Cyril off his bike and knocks him out with the Buzznucks and arrests him. Afterward,, he tells Krieger about the subliminal messages in Bob Violence and his theory that it is why the Warlords and the Ethical Mutants attack the Plex mall, like clockwork. Krieger doesn't believe it; but, Mandy has an idea. Krieger shoots down interrupting Plex programming; but, Mandy later shows Flagg a statute that gives the Rangers power to disrupt broadcasting during a civil emergency, which the weekly attacks constitute. She then presents Flagg with a jamming device that she had whipped up, at Jerry Rigg Custom Firearms. The central broadcasting unit is on an aerial pylon, above th Chicago ruins. Flagg needs to insert it there to disrupt Bob Violence.

Flagg takes a highcycle out and installs the jammer, which does the trick, and Bob Violence is interrupted and replaced by a rerun of Interspecies Romance. Krieger is incensed and inundated with complaints. he figures the Go Gangs will go crazy and slaughter everyone and grabs a weapon to hit the firing line and wait for the attack.

Thoughts: A lot to unpack here, as Chaykin spends this first issue setting the scene, introducing the characters and world building. It is the 21st Century and the world, and especially the US, is a mess. People live in fortified Plex Malls, if they are lucky. The rest is either wasteland, farmland or dangerous territory. The Plex is the government and it is rotten to the core. The Plexus Rangers are their law enforcement arm and they are corrupt, too. Everyone is on the take. The Malls are filled with amenities and constant advertising. Everything is trademarked. Sex is for sale, people go about armed. They spend their nights watching violent or sexualized (or both) programming.

Into this world comes Reuben Flagg, ex-tv star and Ranger draftee. he grew up believing in American ideals, but they seemed to have been sold to the lowest bidder. He sees the lay of the land and seems to go along; but, it eats at him, until he can't take it anymore and does something about it. Flagg is a rogue factor into this equation, disrupting the status quo. People in power, in corrupt organizations, don't like wild cards. Expect Flagg to have all he can handle. However, as we have seen, don't underestimate Flagg; he's a sneaky son of a @#$%&!

Hilton Krieger is the corrupt head of the local Ranger Station, content to deal with things as is. Flagg is disrupting things, which isn't going to go over well. He fights with his daughter, Mandy, a smart and headstrong (and stubborn) woman. We learn nothing about her mother, except it seems to be a sore spot between Mandy and Hilton.

Mayor Blitz is pure Chicago politician, part of the machine and making money off all kinds of under the table ventures.

Meanwhile, someone is brokering the sale of Illinois to foreign interests. The man on Flagg's flight is Ernesto Klein-Hernandez, a representative from Brazil, which we will learn is the capital of Latin America, with major financial interests in the Western Hemisphere.

The, there is Raul, the talking cat. The one lone thought balloon, from Reuben, is the only time it is addressed. He is a talking cat and that is all there is to it. No one finds it weird. No other talking cat is seen. Raul turns quickly into a fan favorite, as he is an intelligent and witty creature, yet still retains the feline personality. If you have ever owned a cat, you must realize that an intelligent talking cat would be someone who will be at the center of trouble.

The characters are well rendered and Chaykin gives them personality, through dialogue and their various pairings. Hilton Krieger and Mayor Blitz represent the local authority, which is on the take. However, as we will learn with this series, never take anything at face value. Mandy is a bit of an outlier, she does a thankless, but comfortable job, but is smart as a whip and not afraid to mess with the Plex or upset the status quo. Whether she will be Flagg's love interest remains to be seen. Gretchen Holstrum is another outlier. She runs the Love Canal Adult Center, a central social point for the Mall; and she chases anything introusers. She and Mandy definitely do not like each other. Some of that may be jealousy; but, as we will see, there is more than just a catty attitude to one another.

Chaykin really assembles something totally different. You are bombarded with images and text, graphics and slogans, brand names and puns. Its all a big satire of consumerism, which was running rampant, in the 80s and has become institutionalized, since, with on-line shopping, pop-up ads, and direct marketing via social media and other platforms. Corporations bombard people with advertising, but this was a pre-internet world. Chaykin saw the way advertising was taking over television and even film, with product placement and band name -dropping. People walked around wearing product logos and became walking billboards for those companies and paid for the privilege! Personal identity became wrapped up in brand identity. Robert Hazard said it pretty well.....



Like all good science fiction, American Flagg is commenting on today, by extrapolating about tomorrow and where it will lead. Chaykin adds a layer of satire to the commentary, adding tongue-in-cheek slogans and brand names throughout. The backgrounds are filled with commercial graphics and a healthy dose of sexualized imagery, which got it a reputation for being borderline pornographic. It never really extends beyond a PG-13 level, even without the Comics Code. Chaykin understands that a little restraint makes the message hit home more strongly. Still, it was soon attacked for the imagery and violence, by Psychology Today, who missed the social commentary and satire, because the author of the article didn't actually read the comic. No wonder the magazine didn't respond to Mike Gold's rebuttal.

As the series progresses, you may see some familiar names. Klein-Hernandez is a hyphenated name that has appeared in several Chaykin projects, starting with Ironwolf, where it was the name of the Empress of the Empire Galaktika, who would turn up in the same role, in his own Cody Starbuck. Now, the name is featured on a Brazilian financial and political rep. We will see an Ironwolf, in the near future, though no one named Starbuck.

Also very prominent is Flagg's Jewishness. Chaykin dabbled with that aspect in previous heroes, most notably with Dominic Fortune, who was actually Davey Fortunoff, a Brooklyn-born Jew, who tries to hide it behind a goyim name. Chaykin peppers this with Yiddish and Russian, as Flagg's favorite expression of surprise is "Bojemoi," which is a variation of the Russian phrase "Bozhe moi," which means "Oh my God!" (or Dear God or Goodness Gracios). So, even then, Chaykin was forseeing texting! We also get that Flagg's ethnicity made him an outsider, on Mars, so we see that anti-semitism and racism are alive and well. You could add sexism, based on the imagery of the women's fashions, except you would be moissing some very complex women and miss that many of the men are just as sexualized and fetishized, with the Rangers in tight trousers and leather jackets; a GQ police force. The male stylings are a mix of 40s lines, with New wave touches, while the women get about in pencil skirts, shoulderpads, stiletto heels, sexy lingerie and tight pants. We will see some practical attire, from time to time; but, this is a hedonistic world; as Flagg says, "Breads and Circuses." This is an empire in decline, which many said mirrored the US, in the 80s.

In 1985, First collected the first three issues, constituting the first storyline, into a graphic novel, with an extended opening, on board the Mars-Luna Shuttle....



It features talk of Black Market Basketball (organized sports having been outlawed and now operating underground) and pirate broadcasts, which features in future issues. We get mention of the Skokie Skullcrushers, who will feature in further episodes. It also prevues Flagg, via a mention from one of the crew, then leads into the first page of issue #1. Issues 4-6, and 7-9 would also be collected in graphic albums....



The album features an introduction by Michael Moorcock, who worked with Chaykin on The Swords of Heaven, The Flowers of Hell, for Heavy Metal and was a big fan of Cody Starbuck (remarking that Han Solo owed more than a bit to Cody's fashion sense.) George Lucas has been accused of swiping from Cody Starbuck, though CL Moore's Northwest Smith predates Cody and was an obvious influence, as was Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat.

At the heart of this is a western story. A new deputy comes to town, where the sheriff is corrupt and the lawless run rampant. Flagg is about to bring law and order to this town, whether they like it or not. he has a gun on his hip (though in reverse draw), a badge and even a sidekick, in Raul. The only thing missing is the hat (and that will come in year two, sort of). Chaykin was a big western fan, as were many of his generation, as the western was king at the movies and on tv. Chaykin has spoken extensively on Johnny Mack Brown, an ex-football player-turned-actor, who started out well, with stars like Mary Pickford, but ended up starring ina string of B-Westerns. He starred in comics, from Dell, in the 50s and was at the heart of a comedy album, by the Statler Brothers (Alive at the Johnny Mack Brown High School....



The song was used in the excellent independent comedy, Drive-In, about a night at the local Texas drive-in movie theater, from 1976.



(You can see it on Youtube).

Next time, we wait for the Go Gang attack and Reuben makes more new friends, as he attends a wedding and learns about politics, Chicago-style!

Chaykin said he only plotted the first 14 issues, because he didn't see it lasting beyond that.  He has also said it was a ton of work and it nearly wrecked his marriage and nearly killed him.  Bruzenak said he once delivered a $400 lettering bill, to First.  No computers on this.

Chaykin took the deal to get out of debt; that was his prome motivator.  After this, when not working in tv, he only did single pieces or mini-series, and mostly wrote with a partner.