I pledge allegiance to America Jr.

This past Friday night some of the PCB team attended a comic release party for the Image Comics released collection of a web comic that, admittedly, I'd never heard of. I was given the opportunity to come to the release and to review the book. The comic is called America Jr. It is 280+ strips strong right now and the collection contains the first 150 plus some great extras including deleted story lines, pin ups, and some hilarious blooper strips.

The story centers around Millerstown, a small town in America (population 3000) who discovers their inclusion with the Union was only temporary and has just expired. They are now an independent nation within the US. Hilarity ensues.

The citizens of the newly dubbed America Jr. work to form a government, elect a president, choose a national anthem, and design a flag. All using America Sr. as a model.

There are some laugh out loud funny parts in this book. It's cast of characters is endearing, charming, and believable. America Jr. is a smart, funny, spot on satire and it never goes over the top. I don't want to go to much into the plot besides what I already mentioned. There is a story line running throughout the strips in the book and as the citizens work towards forming their government some of the choices they make are extremely funny.

I might not have heard of the strip before, but I'm certainly a fan now. All and all it's a fun little book and I can't wait to see where they take these characters. Hopefully Volume 2 won't be too far beind this collection.

America Jr. is written by Nick Capetanakis & Todd Livingston with art by Brendon and Brian Fraim. The collection includes an introduction by Gregory Itzin, most recognizable now for his role on 24 as President Charles Logan.

You can get your copy of America Jr. at your local comic shop and amazon.com