Classwar, or “Cla$$war”, I suppose, is a trade collection of previously published single issues. This Image collection combines the six published issues by Com.X in the early 2000s.
Okay then, what’s Classwar all about? Well, in the early pages, (writer Rob Williams, artist Trevor Hairsine, colourist Len O’Grady, letterer Eddie Deighton), we are bombarded by jaded superheroes. They are anonymous, silent, and unknown quantities at this point. One, “American”, then abducts the US president and confronts him in mid-air. American burns the word “LIAR” into the president’s forehead. So how’s that for a fast and furious start?
Classwar is big on anger, shouting, and more anger. It’s angst-ridden from bow to stern, a solid and stubborn railing against the corruption, racism, and sins of the government of the United States. Writer Williams likes his swear words and destruction, his scenes of consternation, and ‘we make the bad people pay’. It all feels a little over the top, with these newly minted superheroes so far above us in skin tighties, making pronouncements.
The visuals are well orchestrated. The first three issues, with Trevor Hairsine at the helm, are full of strong poses and strong shadows. The characters stare at the reader while they grumble and swear. The reader gazes up into their yelling faces, to the sky and clouds billowing behind the heroes.
By issue four, Travel Foreman has take over the art duties. The lines get thinner and more precise. The features of the faces are expressive, and the figures are slim and lithe. Oh, unless Foreman has drawn them as mutating shapes, with their innards sticking out, and their bodies stretched to grotesque proportions. It’s horrible but wonderfully rendered.
It’s ragged and ‘indie superhero’ material for sure. Some of Classwar has not aged well in twenty years, but overall as first published efforts from emerging, new talent, it is memorable for its bravery and willingness to take on the Goliaths of politics and big money.
Included in the trade are bonus pages that include penciled panels and a 2008 afterword by writer Rob Williams.
Image Comics, Cla$$war, $16.99 for 184 pages. Rated 16+
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