It's hard to remember, but there was a time when Al Franken was just a comic and writer. Today, though, he is a rising political star.
Franken is also set to become the latest subject in Bluewater Productions' Political Power line of biography comics. Political Power: Al Franken will be released to comic shops across the country in May 2009.
Franken made history in 2008, when he defeated Republican incumbent Norm Coleman to become the junior U.S. Senator from Minnesota. Of course, this victory did not come easily. In a race that was decided by a razor-thin margin and involved a recount and several appeals, all the way to the Minnesota Supreme Court, which ruled in Franken's favor. Franken was finally sworn in on July 7, 2009 after Coleman declined to take the controversial case to the U.S. Supreme Court and instead conceded after a hard-fought, eight-month ordeal.
Political Power: Al Franken will trace the Senator's rise from Saturday Night Live writer, a position he often used to skewer politicians, to radio talk show host to viable Senate candidate.
Writer Jerome Maida said that the comic might introduce readers to sides of Franken's character that most of them did not know he possessed.
“Al Franken has this reputation - not completely unfounded, if you read the comic - as a metaphorical bomb-thrower, a guy who hates his enemies and has an in-your-face style,” Maida said. “While I did find some stuff that would support that perception, I also found out a lot more interesting stuff that makes him a real person, a character instead of a caricature.”
Maida, for instance, discovered that Franken first fell in love with politics at a young age. He also discovered that Franken co-wrote the powerful film When a Man Loves a Woman
, a movie based on his wife's alcoholism.Bluewater's Political Power line has attracted mainstream publicity and strong sales. The company's comics featuring Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama and Ted Kennedy have all generated strong sales in a declining comic book market. The goal of these biography comics is simple: Tell moving stories of politically powerful individuals in an evenhanded and balanced way.
“At a time in which comic book readership continues to decline, our Political Power books continue to bring new readers to the graphic medium,” said Darren G. Davis, president of Bluewater Productions. “I'm proud of that. And I think our readers will find that Jerome has crafted a compelling tale in Political Power: Al Franken.”
The new comic will retail for $3.99.
For more information about Bluewater or its line of biography comics, visit http://www.bluewaterprod.com/
About Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis” ”Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (“Tek War Chronicles”), Logan's Run and celebrated actor Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Female Force” and “Political Power.”
Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry's top artists and writers.
Following its commitment to green publishing, Bluewater comic books are printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. FSC certification guarantees that the paper used in Bluewater books contains fiber from well managed and responsibility harvested forests that meet strict environmental and socioeconomic standards.
For more information, visit www.bluewaterprod.com.
on March 16th. The new series under the company’s VIZ Signature imprint, is rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences and will carry and MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.
