'Boardwalk Empire' as Allegory of Capitalism

This Sunday will see the premiere of the second season of Boardwalk Empire on HBO, a period drama that critics have been raving about since its inception last September. Indeed, it is the best writing that I have witnessed since The Wire was on television.

Some have pointed out that the show describes how "criminals became our leaders," as the show reveals levels of government corruption, from the City Treasurer all the way up to the highest office, the President. I, however, would go a step further and say that the show, not only reveals the beginnings of capitalism, but is an allegory for capitalism imperialism itself.

In the pilot, we meet Jimmy Darmody, a young man coming back from War World I, who is very impatient with the tasks he has been given by the show's main character, Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, the City Treasurer who runs Atlantic City. Jimmy sees all the money going through Nucky's hands and is not content with just being a driver. He confronts Nucky and tells him, "All I want is an opportunity." To which Nucky eloquently responds, "This is America, ain't it? What's stopping you?" Jimmy views this as permission to pull a truck heist that sets many storylines in motion. Later on, in this same episode, after Jimmy gives Nucky his cut of the heist money, he reminds him that he can't be "half a gangster" anymore. Indeed, some of the first season does revolve around just how much Nucky is willing to do to insure his place as crime lord of Atlantic City.

Early in the first episode we also meet some of the big gangsters from New York and Chicago who are there to meet with Nucky, and throughout the series we see them teaming-up, double-crossing, killing, and making deals with each other. It's never personal; they care only about profits and expanding their territories. And everyone knows that in capitalism the number one rule is, "expand or die."

Not sure how much this new second season will explore these topics, but it will be fun to watch as the entire cast is very talented and the writing is top-notch.

From the Back Issue Bin: Black Panther

The following scene takes place on page 18 of the 2005 trade paperback of Black Panther, (which collects issues #1-#6), written by Reginald Hudlin, and with art by John Romita Jr.

* * *

"They can't do that," someone yells from inside a room in the White House.

Inside the room, the Secretary of State, Dondi Reese, is pointing out some changes on a memo to her secretary, while a group of military officials and others in business suits continue on with a discussion at a table not far from where she is standing.

"We're the #$%#$ United States of %#$%#$ America," a general says. "Where do a bunch of Jungle bunnies get off telling us they've got a 'No Fly' zone over their thatched hut?"

Dondi, an African-American woman with dark red lipstick and a head full of silver hair, turns around as she hears the general's words.

The room grows silent. "Did I say something wrong," the general asks, unaware that Dondi Reese is standing right behind him. He turns around and quickly opens his mouth to say, "Oh god, Dondi--I'm sorry! You know I don't mean you when I say--"

"Shut up, Wallace," says Dondi.

"--I mean, they're nothing like you--"

"Shut-up," she repeats.

This time the general keeps his mouth shut as his cheeks turn red.

* * *

When Hudlin, (previously known for writing and directing films), took on the task of revamping the Black Panther, he used a mix of action, injected with politics, to create a fantastic first arc. As the scene above illustrates, no matter how high they climb the capitalist ladder, Black people cannot escape National Oppression. This was shown here at the highest level of power; inside the White House.

The story revolves around an imaginary country located in the center of Africa called, Wakanda, which the book describes as being notable for "never having being conquered in its entire history." In the book you learn that the Wakandans have all battled and beat different forces who have tried, through force, to get on their land. Other African tribes, Christian and Islamic invaders in its early history. Followed by French, English and Belgium forces that were lured by stories of Wakanda's gold and riches.

The drama starts because forces inside the White House are thirsting for Wakanda's advanced technology and large oil deposits and have secretly (economically) backed a Super-villain named Klaw, who organizes a group of powerful villains to invade the country. This is where our hero comes in, as he has just recently earned the mantle/title of the Black Panther and is tested, not only with an invasion by a team of super-powered villains, but a team lead by the man who killed his father!

This trade should be easy to find at any local comic book store, or on the Internet. Highly recommended!!!

The Superman Incident

File this under: Better Late Than Never. *SPOILER ALERT*

So, about a month ago, when issue #900 of Action Comics was released, there was a short story in there called, "The Incident," (written by David Goyer), in which Superman renounces his American citizenship. Well, this created a big uproar among conservitives and right-wingers who were disgusted with the idea of Superman giving up, "Truth, Justice and the American Way." (By the way, he does this because he wants to show solidarity with other people around the world and doesnt want his actions to be seen by other people as U.S. intervention)

First, something to say about why this makes sense: Superman was raised in the U.S., but he wasn't even born on this planet! So, of course, it would be realistic for him to renounce any kind of allegiance to any one country, (or planet for that matter). Superman, as a hero, is interested in saving people, no matter their race, ethnicity, color, religion, sexual orientation, or species!

Secondly, at a time when there is so much scapegoating and hatred directed towards immigrants--or just anyone who "doesn't look American"--it is refreshing for someone like Superman to take a stand like this and say, "Fuck your papers."


(Below are images of key scenes in the story. Click on pics to enlarge view).