After an economic collapse and other disasters in the near future, Americans are now the legal and illegal immigrants living abroad. They find work in cities like Buenos Aires, where their very own enclave known as “Americatown” has taken root. Owen, a recent arrival, begins a journey to support and save his splintered family divided between the enclave and home back in the U.S. His struggle is just a small part of the hardships and conflicting agendas in an immigrant community trying to build itself in the shadow of a once great nation.

Part social commentary, part family drama, Americatown asks: What if the American Dream gave way to the American Nightmare?

Generally when you think of a story about an undocumented immigrant, you think of someone entering the United States. Their skin is probably brown, and there’s all sorts moral and legal questions. Writer Bradford Winters and Larry Cohen have flipped expectations, making white Americans the undocumented immigrants in this compelling new series.

In Americatown, those attempting to sneak into a country are American, and look pretty white to me. This is an allegory of the plight of undocumented immigrants in a package that folks might not expect, and because of that, one that’s harder to condemn for them. Winters and Cohen are no strangers to politically charged stories, and in their inaugural comic series that stick to what they know.

Artist Daniel Irizarri‘s art is fantastic giving a pseudo rough look that makes it almost feel like an underground documentary following everything. Of note is the coloring choices which are minimal and usually one main color with some black and white. It’s fantastic, and generally the colors are also a reflection of the US’s flag. No idea if I’m reading too much into that, but the use of blues, reds, and whites is interesting.

Just enough information is given for readers to understand what’s going on, and enough information is held back to make you want to find out more as to what’s going on too. The first issue blew me away. I can’t wait to see where the series goes and how it tackles such a heated topic.A brilliant example of social commentary in an entertaining package.

Story: Bradford Winters & Larry J. Cohen Art: Daniel Irizarri
Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Archaia/BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review