We The People, Eh? … USNA #1

At Fan Expo Canada this year I met a metric tonne of great comic book creators. So many in fact that I’ve been having a bit of trouble reading all the comics and graphic novels I brought home from the event. One graphic novel series that grabbed my attention but didn’t get any face time until now is USNA: The United States of North America. Featuring an alternative history about the amalgamation of the United States and Canada sometime in the near future. Needless to say, not everyone is pleased with the merger nor the political machinations that brought about this new status quo.

Large corporate agriculture is taking over utilizing the inexpensive, free labour from the for-profit prison systems. Environmental damages in the lower USA has caused water shortages and the shipping of Canada’s natural resources down south. Rationing in cities, food shortages, curfews … life under this new government is tough. Add to all this there is the new war front in Central America. I don’t think anyone will be surprised that an underground resistance group springs up. The USNA Government is responding to this rebel threat by forming a homeland security force called the Strategic Home Alliance Defense Organization (S.H.A.D.O.). Working with broad legal powers S.H.A.D.O. is tasked with locating and eliminating any rebel activity using deadly force if necessary.

Dave Casey’s black and white art immediately reminds me of the Walking Dead. Actually, the whole book gives me the same feeling as those early Walking Dead issues. While the theme is not the same the sensibility and execution is. The graphic novel is all about the characters in this alternative future. You feel for them and as the pages progress, you start to identify with their plight. I’ve devoured the first graphic novel in one sitting so to say the book had my attention is an understatement.

The first chapter is self-contained in one graphic novel while the second chapter has expanded to three volumes so when jumping on with the first book you know that the continued adventures are ready when you are. Currently available on Amazon at https://tinyurl.com/y9rsvaqc  and Kobo at https://tinyurl.com/y9ffzrgb.

Issue: USNA #1 | Publisher: USNA Publishing Inc.
Writers: Davy Longworth, Allan Stanleigh & Harry Kalensky | Artist: Dave Casey
Price: $14.99 – 216 pages

About Author

Martin Boruta

Martin Boruta has been reading comic books and graphic novels for 50+ years (he reads books without pictures too, just sayin’). A lifelong fan of Captain Canuck, Martin is the curator of The Unofficial Yet Definitive Captain Canuck Comicography website. Since 2016, Martin has been reviewing comic books and highlighting great new Kickstarter projects at First Comics News. Martin’s writting has also been featured in Sequential Magazine. For over two-hundred episodes, Martin enjoyed teaming up with his pals and sharing hosting duties on The Hey Kids Comics Radio Show broadcast on Trent Radio 92.7 CFFF FM in lovely Peterborough, ON Canada, and still available at The Hey Kids Comics Radio Show website. Martin is a founding member of the Canadian Comic Book Alliance. In his various adventures, Martin has demonstrated an innate ability to spell “Erik Larsen” incorrectly.

Martin’s “day job” is owner of Shaw Computer Systems Inc., an Information Technology consultancy firm in Peterborough, ON, specializing in Managed Services for small to mid-sized businesses since 1980.

In the past, Martin served in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve as a member of the Cadet Instructors List (Cadre), reaching the Queen’s Commissioned rank of Captain, was awarded a Baronship of Sealand, and was ordained as a Reverend in the Universal Life Church while watching an episode of Monster Garage.

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