The state of the world right now makes us almost forget that the world used to be much happier. The pandemic has caused most of us to reflect. It also has caused most of us not to ignore levels of ineptitude in crisis handling worldwide. We expect the best in our world leaders and that is why when the military goes into conflicts they hope their higher-ups are making the best decisions. This is the reason why many world leaders during WWII are often immortalized. Being headstrong was not only an asset but an intangible.

That is why during times of hardship, despite his complicated life, Winston Churchill is often quoted. It is why Martin Luther King Jr. is quoted by everyone imaginable to inspire courage and fortitude. It is why though his tenure recently ended, we find ourselves drawn to the words of President Barack Obama. In the brilliantly and much needed Barack, Race and the Media: The Obama Legacy, we find creators who were both moved and inspired by our former president.

In the first few pages, we find David Brown’s early illustrations of then Freshman Senator from Illinois, and his apparent widespread effect on those who heard his speech at the DNC and how he came under fire from those who sought to poke holes where there was none. He also gets into the attacks by the GOP and how the mainstream media sought to question his blackness.  Lalo Alcatraz would show how much better a President, Obama was compared to George W Bush and the loss America felt after Trump’s takeover. David Horsey elaborates on the uphill battle Hillary Clinton faced as the heir apparent to Obama, and the battle he faced against Mitch McConnell. Angelo Lopez shows just how hard a road Obama had against the GOP and how their major criticism also became their major undoing, The Affordable Care Act. Steve Greenberg gives readers a view of how his run for a second term was almost imminent and the opposition Fox News gave him. David Brown eventually gets into the issues of police brutality and how it has affected the mass incarceration system. By Book’s end, Brown shows the reader though we have progressed, America is far from being accepting of all its citizens.

Overall, a book that is far from a mere comic strip collection but a cohesive narrative showcasing some of the world’s top talents telling a history of how much better we were. The stories by the creative team are relevant and relatable. The art by the creative team is gorgeous, as each a rtist brings their own style which feels true to each strip’s message. Altogether, one of the best books I have read about the Obama presidency I have read in a while.

Story: David G. Brown, Angelo Lopez, Lalo Alcaraz, David Horsey, Tim Jackson, and Steve Greenberg
Art: David G. Brown, Angelo Lopez, Lalo Alcaraz, David Horsey, Tim Jackson, and Steve Greenberg
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy