1/6: The Graphic Novel. Script by Alan Jenkins, Gan Golan. Illustrated by William Rosado & others. One Six Comics. Issue 2 published January 3, 2024.
2024 is upon us and we are now marking the third year anniversary of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol by a group of insurrectionists, emboldened by then President Trump, to attempt to overturn the 2020 election of President Biden. It was the stuff of a half-baked B-movie thriller–but all too real. A new comic book wrestles with this tragic event and frames it within a speculative “what if” fiction of what might have happened had the rioters succeeded and kept Trump in power.
For me, January 6th is a case of truth being stranger than fiction–a reality we still seem to be too close to in order to fully process. But, then again, process this we must as the clock is ticking and a general election will be taking place sooner than we realize. With that in mind, is a comic book helpful in some way? Yes. What this comic manages to do best is to keep the reader engaged with vivid moments mixing what happened with what could have happened. It’s a tricky business when you deal with political issues as it’s easy to overstate. This fiction is also inextricably linked to a real story we’re seeing unfold in real time–and that is part of its strength. As much as this graphic novel is commenting on a tragic event from three years ago, it is definitely commenting on the here and now.
A lot of this second issue covers the events that led to 1/6: Charlottesville, Trump’s coded messages, the rise of hate crimes, Trump & Co.’s election fraud maneuvers. As a kid, I recall taking an intense interest in politics around election time and I see this comic being of great benefit to younger readers, from age 13 on up. Older readers will be intrigued by the “what if” scenario that this comic promises and, so far, has laid out with some big hints as to what will happen next. I sincerely look forward to what happens next and to ultimately get to experience the whole book once it’s collected.
One of the greatest and ennobling aspects of the comics medium is its ability to process information in order to educate and inspire. That quality is present in this comic book. This comic book’s greater goal, aside from a compelling story, is to sort out the facts, give people hope and get them out there in the world doing the good things we need to do “in Order to form a more perfect Union.” Be sure to check this comic out and see how it delivers both as entertainment, an essential educational device and an interactive call to action. Issue #2 features the “Petition to Bar all Insurrectionists from Office,” which has already garnered significant attention with over 60k signatures. This initiative underscores this graphic novel’s commitment to not only narrate a story but also to stimulate civic engagement and discourse. You can find out more about this compelling four-issue comic book series and access a political action guide at One Six Comics.
