Comics / Progressive Panels

Israelis, Palestinians, and…Azrael? Why Not?

By Andy Frisk
Feb 28, 2010 - 17:44

In Azrael #5, Michael Lane/Azrael disrupts an Israeli Special Forces incursion into Gotham City to forcibly extradite a suspected Palestinian terrorist accused of bombing a day care center in Tel Aviv. As Azrael is drawn deeper into his investigation of Youssif Mossad (the suspected terrorist) he encounters not only the complexity of 70+ years of Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the elusive facts of Mossad’s guilt or innocence, his fellow Gotham City based hero Ragman, but the destructive nature of zealotry as well…

Writer Fabian Nicieza crafts a very powerful story in “Seams Undone.” The deep seated hatred and violence which has been driven by years of religious conflict between Israelis and Palestinians serves as a backdrop for an examination of Michael Lane/Azrael’s own religious zealotry, which is predicted to devour him at some point in the future. (Bearers of The Suit of Sorrows carry not only the suit itself, but the weight of the guilt and pain of those slain by its previous wearers and those who did the slaying-all in the name of “God’s Justice”). Azrael’s mission is to “go out and kill people in the name of the Lord?” “No, unless they deserve it…” explains Michael. What Ragman reveals to Michael though, after they both track down Mossad, is that the same righteous zealotry that Michael has fallen victim to is the same zealotry that has driven years of conflict and bloodshed in the Middle East. The destruction of innocent life as the result of such zealotry is inhuman, but it’s also “all they know how to do,” when face to face with another zealot’s hatred and insanity.

It’s obvious that throughout the tale, Nicieza is decrying the evils of zealotry such as that which has driven the religious conflicts in the Middle East, and by Christian fundamentalist types as represented with Azrael. While Azrael is a hero in nearly the all inclusive sense of the word, he is a bit of a fringe character. He has to toe the line between being a zealot and being a hero, due to the nature of his powers, which are derived from the “Suit of Sorrows” he has been chosen to bear. Ragman, the voice of reason in the story (and a Jewish character who is powered by his own suit which is composed of the souls of those recently departed who are seeking redemption), serves as the one character out of them all who can step outside their own religious beliefs and see objectively that there is nothing positive that can come from violence begotten of religious conflict. As it turns out, Mossad isn’t guilty of the bombing (which is in retaliation to an Israeli airstrike which killed innocent children on the West Bank), but his brother is.

What makes this issue worthy of closer attention (besides reflecting what I hoped the character would do back in my review of Azrael #1: “... take on more complex villains and themes than just the regular run of the mill Gotham street thugs” and embrace the conflicts inherent in his Judeo-Christian background and origins) is that it demonstrates, yet again, how well mainstream comic book heroes can address, contribute to, and advance the conversation on religious, political, and social themes like many independent comics or even mainstream literature can. There’s been a lot of unwarranted and downright petty flap over the recent portrayal of a Tea Party (Tea Bagger) rally in Captain America #602 and the question over whether or not comics should address political themes. First off, and not to digress too far, the sign in question held up by a fictionalized Tea Bagger that stated “Tea Bag the Libs Before They Tea Bag You” was simply a recreation of a real sign held up by a Tea Party protester early last year. Putting aside that the crude reference was made in a comic book without a “mature readers” warning, the political flap that came out over this small reflection of some silly aspects of a political movement was unnecessary. The job of a writer who is willing to create a believable, relevant, and reflective story is to be as realistic as possible, even if that means being controversial at times. If you can’t take the lumps, don’t carry the signs. While there is nothing nearly as controversial as the Tea Bagger sign here in Azrael #5, it again is an intelligent and insightful look into a very important theme and religio-political conflict.

The real life inspiration for the sign in Captain America #602.

The question shouldn’t be, “Do politics have a place as a subject in comic books?” but “Why isn’t there more of this type of storytelling?” A large majority of the fiction we read and the films we watch are permeated with these type of themes. Many of them end up being recognized by their creators’ peers as the best of their given genre. Films such as There Will Be Blood, All The President’s Men, and even Aliens, decry the evils of corporations, corrupt politicians and/or religious zealots. Why shouldn’t comics embrace these themes as well? I for one thank Ed Brubaker and Fabian Nicieza, for engaging us with relevant, important, and most of all intelligent storytelling.

Rating: 10 /10

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Comments

Mossad is the name of Israel's intelligence agency. Nicieza's playing mind tricks I think.
Furthermore, when Hamas puts it's weapons down for a day, it's a quiet day in Gaza.
When Israel puts it's weapons down, it's hit.
As for the "downright petty" aspect of the sign bearer in Captain America 602? It's insinuated with a white supremacist group in the story line. Brubaker isn't fairly examining anything in that story line, he's overtly pushing his mindset (consequently, I've stopped buying Captain America since the end of "Reborn"). Let me elaborate further, I'm Australian and I live in the U.S., I've had four profound experiences where I really felt the heart of America. One was attending a birthday party for Rosa Parks. Another was my first college football game. The third was the feel of the country immediately after the 9/11 attack. And the fourth was attending a tea party. NO white supremacists are welcomed at these tea parties. They are regular people with real concerns. They are a grass roots reaction to the excessive spending and taxation of government, particularly this current spendaholic congress and administration. They're an "enough's enough" movement. Mr Brubaker seems to believe they're somehow manipulated by white supremacists. Truly a work of fiction in that case. It's not petty to call Brubaker's misrepresentation what it is. Let's not forget, it was MSNBC (the left wing channel) that cropped a photo of a black man to hide his race. He was expressing his second amendment rights legally in his state(carrying a firearm), yet MSNBC cropped the photo to hide the fact that he was black and proceeded to manufacture a story about tea partiers being racists and terrorists, using the cropped photo as "evidence". Where's Mr Brubaker on that race baiting exercise? Silent I believe. Yeah downright petty is it?

#1 - Tel... - 03/03/2010 - 10:53

its petty because

The group he is portraying are " tea baggers" not real "tea partiers" (I hope). So why should right wing news (Fox) get riled up? They wouldn't get mad if brubaker parodied a left wing group. Besides the sign is real, and that makes it funny. Sense of humor anyone?

#2 - andy frisk - 03/03/2010 - 17:54

Oh I see Andy, race baiting from the left is "funny"? And calling the race baiters on their tactics is "petty"? I see how it works.
I've attended a couple of tea parties Andy...nope...no white supremacsts welcome.
Tell you what Andy, instead of buying Brubaker's mindset on "Fox" and "tea baggers"..why don't you attend a tea party for yourself and decide? Fair? I have. Unless you see a problem with ordinary people speaking up (for a change) on governments sending countries into insolvency..and yes I hated Bush's spending too, but this congress and administration has taken it to stratospheric heights of wasteful expenditure and looming taxation and cost rises. Gosh..what a racist thought..get Brubaker on the line..quick.

#3 - Tel... - 03/04/2010 - 09:41

Please tell me...

Where were the Tea Partiers when Cheney wanted to send troops into an American town on American soil? When Bush was spending and spending and lying us into war? When Bush was reading our emails? When he was running up the deficit that the current administration inherited?

They didn't really take to the streets until we had a black president. Now, I'm not calling all of the Tea Party memebers racist BUT you cannot deny that there are aspects that are totally intolerant.

Tea Party signs advocating a "Christian America"-we are a secular country-separation of church and state.

Oath Keepers support the Tea Party and are ready to bear arms against the administration. (Again, where were they when Bush was stripping our freedoms).

Carrying guns to an anti-Obama Tea Party, with signs advocating that "The Tree of Liberty needs to be watered with the blood of patriots" (Thomas Jefferson). If this sign was carried by a left wing protester to an anti-Bush rally, Cheney would have them thrown in jail and tortured.

The key note speaker at the Tea Party convention advocates a return to literacy tests for voters...this is what held the African American community in bondage for years politically and disallowed them the right to vote-something that if was denied to a Tea Party member would be proof of the government's evilness...

But this argument could go on forever and get nowhere since there's no reasoning when passions are involved. And I'm not the one to do the serious arguing. I'm a columnist who simply calls it like he sees it as is his right which the Tea Party should support. The Constitution supports my speach as well as yours and those of others who can spell it out way better than the both of us:

I for one, am grateful for living in a country where we're still allowed to have differing opinions and not be persucuted for speaking our minds unless we advocate hate. There is no tolerance for that.

bubblegum:bubblegumbubblegum.politicususabubblegum/en/white-christian-america

#4 - Andy Frisk - 03/04/2010 - 13:03

Yes of course Andy those tea partiers are closet racists (well some are right?..natch), they just don't like having a black president, that's what it's all about..you nailed it (not race baiting now are you Andy?). It's not about Obama's threats to impose Cap and Trade (which will raise costs for every American and the confiscatory taxes and penalties (Obama and Sebelius call them "fees")of Obamacre? Nah..it's just racism. Oh and Andy? In case you missed it, Obama's now "agnostic" about raising taxes on the middle class..his word choice. Funny though...Lloyd Marcus would disagree with you about tea parties (look him up). So would Thomas Sowell disagree with you about Obama and the deficit(look him up).

I'll play your game and refer to Obama as the "black president" for this exchange though.

This "black president" has quadrupled (and counting) the deficit he "inherited" so Andy in fact he's grown the deficit he inherited..but it's racist to mention that right?

This "black president" said the unemployment rate wouldn't go over 8% if we allowed him to enact his "stimulus" Andy. It's topped 10% at one point and may well go over it again. But it's racist to bring that up right Andy?

This "black president" has created the largest slush fund in U.S.Government history but he called it "stimulus". You know, he took it so seriously that he appointed Joe Biden to oversee the expenditure. Last February, President Obama (that black president) tapped Joe Biden to oversee the $787 billion stimulus package saying, "The fact that I'm asking my vice president to personally lead this effort shows how important it is for our country and future to get this right,"
At last weeks health care summit, Joe Biden was overheard telling a participant, "It's easy being vice president - you don't have to do anything." But Andy..it's racist to mention this isnt' it?

When we consult "recovery.gov" we find that "black president" "saved and created" jobs in imaginary congressional districts and zip codes. Are as you outraged by that Andy as you are about the emails you sent that Bush possibly saw? Barry and Joe have changed the way they count those "saved and created" jobs twice now Andy, because no one bought their spin the first time. Apparently if you got a raise now, your job was saved by Barry and Sheriif Joe.

Let's talk about those emails you're so worried about Andy. Patriot Act right? Guess who preserved it over the weekend while you and others of your kind weren't looking Andy? If you answered Barack Obama (black president), you get a smiley stamp.

Carrying guns at tea parties Andy? I believe they're protected by their state's law and it was a statement on Obama's looming threats to change gun laws. You don't like it Andy? Have a referendum and change the law. Now which amendment protects these gun owner's rights today Andy?

But let me finish with the best part Andy. The reported incidents of violence at tea parties and town halls has been from the left. A black man (but tea partiers don't care because he's black right?) was assaulted by Obama supporters at a rally for handing out leaflets against Obama's policies. And here in California, a tea partier had his little finger bitten off by a moveonbubblegum counter protester.
This "black president" set loose his SEIU and ACORN hounds on the elderly at town halls over last summer to intimidate them.
This "black president" also has proposed a "national security force" to have funding equal to the armed forces. Why does he want this "security force" Andy? Makes Cheney's issue that you're so upset about look minute doesn't it? But it's racist to bring this up isn't it?

Andy you're trying to infer that the tea parties as something they're not. You've obviously imbibed the Kool Aid by the likes of Olberman. You should attend a tea party yourself Andy, rather than take Overbite's or the NYT's word on them. Don't just take my word for it, after all...you've implied I could be a racist for attending tea parties.

#5 - Tel... - 03/05/2010 - 11:51

"Black President"

Everything you list that was done by the "black president" was done in some shape or fashion by Bush-where were you then? Where were the Oath Takers, the Tea Partiers, the right wingers?

The only Kool-Aide anyone has drunk are those who follow the propaganda of the Fox News group of liars.

Who says that Olberman is right? He might make more sense than all the nuts at Fox News together but I never said he was always right?

There is no arguing with a right winger. You obviously hate the current President. But I will say again, anything that this current President has done is either an extention of what Bush did or pales in comparison to the whole sale rape of the American Economy that occurred under Cheney. Where were you then? Drinking the Karl Rove Kool-Aide.

I'm done with this...have a nice life. This is why you can't argue with a wing nut. They always resort to yelling (see Bill The Clown)

#6 - Andy Frisk - 03/05/2010 - 13:44