Art Spiegelman may well be “ahead of his time,” as he suggests, or perhaps he is able to express things better through his use of comix. The presentation of the book, at first glance, is deceptive. It looks like a large children’s book because of the thick pages, and since there are significantly less pages than in a novel, the reader might think that the read will be an easy one. But I found that each panel was so engaging with the different panels—old comic characters mixed with a photographic image of an Ahnold movie and the glittering, smoking towers. An interesting thing about this piece was even though it showed the towers collapsing on fire, it showed them whole; it showed their ghosts. They do not disappear until page 10, and even then, they fade into the background, a reminder of what used to be. I compare Spiegelman’s images to the media coverage at the time of 9/11, which just plastered the screens with images of the towers collapsing repeatedly, to the point where my body becomes overwhelmed with the utter despair at the constant reminder of the pain and suffering of innocent people that I turned on Animal Planet. Why? Because it was the only channel that did not have constant images of pain and suffering, and it was comforting to look at life forms that didn’t do this type of thing to each other. Spiegelman’s use of satire also helps to keep the reader from getting overwhelmed and draw attention to other issues that have come to light as a result of the attacks, like the “weapons of mass displacement.”
I found it timely that a report was released today by the 9/11 panel, stating that the government has failed in its efforts (or lack thereof) to prevent terrorist attacks. A sampling: “The panel’s members told reporters in Washington that Congress and the Bush administration shared blame for failing to act in these and other crucial areas, and they warned that continued delays could cost American lives in the event of another domestic terrorist attack.” This calls to mind White Noise, with its notions of rehearsing disaster. The first disaster has already occurred, but because proper action is not being taken by those that have the power, the panel members believe that “the terrorists will strike again.” I share Spiegelman’s sentiments of anger towards the government for diverting the public’s attention and not dealing with the cause of the attacks. Another troubling part of the piece was when he recounted a true story where he was asked to be super-American by stating his favorite foods, etc. When his answers didn’t fit the mold, he was told that the proper answers could be edited in. If this is true, as Spiegelman asserts, it is troubling because it means that when a crisis occurs, anyone who does not fit the mold of being apple-pie American becomes “other” and becomes a threat. This was the first graphic novel I read but it was surprisingly rich and layered.
Link to 9/11 article by Dan Eggen (from washingtonpost.com): http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/05/AR2005120500097.html