“Outrageously funny” is the best description of this incendiary collection of strips that began on the Internet, then moved to Rolling Stone
. In this official time of crisis, a lot of comedians, like politicians, were timidly respectful of authority, but not Rees. Beginning shortly after 9/11, he chronicled the blunders of the current administration, including the war in Iraq, the protracted death of Terry Schiavo, Abu Ghraib, Hurricane Katrina, etc.—all the events that make readers cringe when they remember what our leaders said versus the truth. The immobile, clip-art people in Rees's strips respond to this gap between words and facts by blurting incredulous profanity or mumbling bland rationalizations: one opines, “You can't make a freedom omelet without breaking a few international law eggs!” These hilarious rants probably will have more impact if read a few at a time, and they won't change anyone's opinion. However, they do successfully communicate one artist's horror at the things his fellow citizens have let happen. Get Your War On
demonstrates that genuine indignation and liberating humor aren't incompatible. (Nov.)
