Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: American Terrorists
Written by: Peter Milligan
Penciled and Inked by: Cliff Chiang
Colored by: Lee Loughridge
Lettered by: Clem Robins
Editor: Karen Berger
Publisher: Vertigo/DC Comics
Christopher Chance has decided to take some time off from pretending to be other people and establish a nice little life for himself in Middle Rock, a nice American town. Unfortunately for him Middle Rock is also where Charlie Rivers, a 60’s radical and cop killer, established his new identity as well. Since Rivers former compatriot James Malloy is tracking down and killing his former fellow radicals, Rivers, now known as John Charles has been on edge. Now Rivers thinks that Chance is Malloy. And that was just last issue.
This issue begins with both John Charles and William Williamson, the F.B.I. agent, concluding that Chance is indeed Malloy. Chance is oblivious to it all as he enjoys a nice evening walk through the safe streets of Middle Rock.
Meanwhile, James Malloy actually does some recruiting in his plot for vengeance. He gives his new gang a quick primer on his political ideology and encourages them to join the revolution.
Chance meets up with Mary Turner, the local middle-aged hottie that everyone in town wants to bed including John Charles. They share a moment, and are interrupted by Charles. Chance perceives the tension between himself and Charles but Mary convinces him that it’s just jealousy.
Still later, while Mary is dining with Williamson (I told you everyone is interested in her) Chance pops in to say “hi.†Again he reads the tension as a perceived threat for her attention. When Chance stops by Charles office, looking for some real estate, Charles takes this as a real threat and decides that action has to be taken.
Chance scores a date with Mary, but Charles sets up an evening meeting to “view some property.†This makes Chance suspicious but not overly so. I’m not going to spoil the ending, but Chance has two confrontations that night, and not everyone he confronts makes it through the issue.
Let me just say that I love “The Importance of Being Earnest†as well as “Comedy of Errors.†Hell I even love that episode of the Flintstones where Fred is mistaken for his wealthy doppelganger. I love mistaken identity. Milligan has done an amazing job of creating a situation where mistaken identity thrives. I really enjoy the twist that for once Chance isn’t dressed up as someone else, yet everyone thinks he is. The insight as to what everyone is thinking is great. I love that Charles’ thoughts are filled with paranoia, while Chance’s are almost completely oblivious. And that surprise ending is quite the shocker.
Chiang is one of my favorite artists. I loved what he did last year on “Beware the Creeper.†I even loved his work on the Swamp Thing: Secret Files and Origins. His art has a crisp sharp feel to it. Peep Charles’ furrowed brow on the last panel on page 5. In fact, Chiang’s facial expression are so on-the-money that you want to slap Chance for not realizing that it’s something deeper that jealousy over a woman. What can I say; the art is perfect. Loughridge and Robins contribute their usual stellar work. Great job to all.
