Mike Norton, Lil' Donnie, Vol. 1: Executive Privilege. Portland, OR: Image Comics, 2018. ISBN: 9781534309777.
Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: politics, satire, humor, U.S. presidents
Format: e-book galley
Source: Edelweiss
This volume collects Mike Norton's webcomic chronicling Donnie's first year in office. Norton presents Donnie as an infantile figure who behaves like a spoiled toddler while a cast of miscreants, sycophants, and incompetent people plus some nefarious ones try to cater to Donnie or steer him to do their bidding. The thing is that this is supposed to be humor, and it can be humorous, but Norton basically just depicted reality.
A strength of the book is in the art and portraying Trump as Lil' Donnie. Attention to detail is another strength of the book. If you are reading this now as I am, you'll find yourself recalling certain events or suddenly remembering events you'd have preferred stay forgotten. Norton blends humor with the outrageous reality, and the result is a comic that can be funny, ridiculous, a bit depressing and now and then at how close it hits reality, but very good overall. As Daniel Kibblesmith writes in his introduction to the book:
"Lil Donnie goes to the weirdest, saddest, funniest places in Norton's mind brain to make its point, and to make us feel briefly sane and comforted" (10).
There are many good strips in the book, so let me highlight some that I liked:
- Obama steals Donnie's sandwich, and when Trump complains to the press about it no one believes him.
- The American bald eagle gets hit by Trump golfing.
- There is a rookie Secret Service agent we feel sorry for.
- Mitch McConnell's deal with the devil. Actually, to be honest, this does explain a lot.
- Norton did recall Puerto Rico.
Overall, this is a good chronicle of his first year. Out of the many books on Trump's presidency, most of which are likely redundant and/or worthless texts headed to remainder bins, this small funny book is one that should be preserved for future generations. Norton gets the essence of Trump's first year and his administration in a humorous and clear way that no "tell all" book gets. I really liked this one, and I think it is worth reading.
4 out of 5 stars.
This book qualifies for these 2020 Reading Challenges:
#ArcApocalypse
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