The novel incorporates several aspects of mid-eighties America, like the issue of street-crime, and the strained relationship with the Soviet ‘Evil Empire’. For instance, a territorial dispute between the United States and Russia over the fictional island of Corto Maltese (an homage to Italian cartoonist Hugo Pratt) resembles the 1983 invasion of Grenada. The invasion of Grenada occurred in October 1983 when the United States, along with several Caribbean nations, launched a military operation to overthrow the Marxist government of Grenada. The United States cited concerns over the safety of American citizens on the island and the presence of Soviet and Cuban military personnel as justification for the invasion.
The territorial dispute between the United States and Russia over the fictional island of Corto Maltese could be seen as a parallel to the real-life events in Grenada. In this scenario, both countries lay claim to the island for strategic reasons, leading to escalating tensions and the possibility of military conflict. The United States, much like in Grenada, may cite concerns over the presence of rival military forces or the safety of its citizens as justification for intervention.
The invasion of Grenada serves as a real-world example of how territorial disputes can lead to military action, and the fictional scenario of the territorial dispute over Corto Maltese highlights the potential consequences of such conflicts. Ultimately, these situations demonstrate the importance of diplomacy and conflict resolution in preventing further escalation and maintaining peace.
Moreover, Even President Reagan is satirized as an inept buffoon who ignores American internal problems in favour of a detrimental rivalry with the Soviets.9 These “pretty bad losers” (163) eventually launch a nuke that, though deviated in the desert by Superman, turns America into a cold wasteland. Eventually, the internal terrorist threats are superseded by the conventional, almost reassuring communist menace. The novel thus articulates the tension between the traditional and the rising, post-Cold War era scenario, according to the principle for which “society explains the conflicts within itself by constructing an object (an outsider like the Jew) against which to define it”. Does this belong in is the frame within a postmodern scenario, challenging his inherent modernity and raising complex ethical and political questions or the appropriation of terrorism tropes in these graphic novels or in the narrative and semiotic modalities borrowed from hardboiled novels?
This aspect of the novel highlights the satirical and critical take on the political climate of mid-eighties America, specifically focusing on the Reagan administration's policies and the heightened tensions with the Soviet Union. By portraying President Reagan as an inept buffoon and highlighting the detrimental effects of his focus on the rivalry with the Soviets, the novel critiques the priorities of the government at the time.
The use of a fictional nuclear attack and the resulting consequences also serves as a commentary on the potential dangers of prioritizing external conflicts over internal issues. The portrayal of America as a cold wasteland after the failed nuclear attack by the "pretty bad losers" emphasizes the destructive consequences of power struggles and political rivalries.
In addition, the novel explores the tension between traditional Cold War dynamics and the changing post-Cold War era, raising complex ethical and political questions about the shifting geopolitical landscape. By examining how societal conflicts are constructed and defined through the portrayal of outsiders, such as the Soviets in this case, the novel delves into deeper discussions about power, identity, and conflict resolution.
Overall, the incorporation of these elements within the narrative of the novel adds depth and complexity to the exploration of political and social themes, challenging traditional notions of modernity and raising important questions about the ethical implications of power dynamics and conflict. The use of terrorism tropes and narrative techniques borrowed from hardboiled novels further enriches the storytelling and offers a unique perspective on the complexities of the era.