Fighting Back
In the current political climate, everything can be weaponized. Things that were once accepted as the norm suddenly can and ARE painted with a sinister connotation. Whether that be products, books, personal choice, or perhaps one of the favorite targets, social media. Much to the chagrin of young people who were born during the proliferation of social media and the internet. For that computer savvy generation, limiting social media and the apps that take advantage of it, is like limiting their free speech. And like their parents before them, they will rebel.
Meet Barbie Reed
That is the background of Scout Comics upcoming title, MOM Breaks the Internet by writer Jay Sandlin and artist Patrick Mulholland. This relevant story revolves around the Reed family. Mom Barbie Reed is a computer programmer who works for a computer tech company. During the recent pandemic, it was her work that allowed the company to keep functioning when many similar businesses shut down. But now, that the crisis has been averted, the company is telling her she is no longer needed. Especially since they OWN her resulting software. However, due to the non-compete clause in her contract, she cannot take her skills to anyone else. Basically, hamstringing the talented programmer and leaving her on the outside looking in.
Meet Penny Alonzo-Reed
Barbie’s daughter Penny is a 15-year-old high school activist who organizes protests to stand up for what she believes is right. In this case, she and her fellow activists are protesting the government’s ban on certain social media software in front of the Capital. Mainly a program called iPoke. A program that the government claims, is a danger to the public. Their protest is peaceful, until an opposing group shows up with gas grenades and paint ball guns and starts harassing the protestors. During this exchange, Penny intervenes when another member of her group is assailed by two of the counter protestors. As she confronts them, they shoot Penny multiple times with the paint ball gun, leaving visible wounds on her back.
Misjustice
Eventually she has had enough and uses her personal protective Taser on her assailants. They immediately claim that Penny assaulted THEM while they were peacefully counter protesting. The policeman on scene immediately tackles Penny to the ground and arrests her, ignoring her story. In fact, stomping on her phone when Penny explains she has what actually happened on video. He then takes it upon himself to physically frisk her in an inappropriate manner before taking her to the detention center. Not a good day for the Reed family.
Retrieving her Daughter
Soon, Barbie gets a call from the center to pick up her daughter. After being released into Barbie’s custody, she attempts to get Penny to explain what happened. Penny is reluctant to explain and especially about the policeman’s actions. At this time, all Barbie knows is that the police are saying Penny assaulted someone and they are pressing charges. When she attempts to press Penny for more, she gets defensive exclaiming that her mother will not believe her. Barbie stops her from remarking further. She explains she has always supported her daughter and her causes. But she just lost her job and now she had to pick her daughter up from the police. She needed some answers.
A Partial Explanation
With that understanding, Penny explained about the protest and ensuing confrontation. She then showed her mother her back and the wounds from the paintball guns. She DIDN’T explain about the policeman’s actions. Worried about the current climate, Barbie told her daughter she didn’t want her leaving the house without her or her father accompanying her. Naturally, Penny rebelled against this, feeling like a prisoner in her own house. She stormed to her room, just like any headstrong teenager would. Barbie went into her MOM cave. Like Mother like daughter. Dad watched both doors slam closed, with a puzzled look on his face. “Ok, then.”
Making Decisions
Inside their respective rooms, Penny uses the cloud to retrieve the footage of what happened during their protest. Apparently, the handsy cop forgot about what goes in the cloud, stays in the cloud. As for her mother, she too has come to a decision. She can either lay low and trust the system to resolve things with Penny or herself, or she can take things in her own hands. If today was any indication, screw the system. She will instead make things happen for herself. It’s time to bring the “girls” together.
Thoughts
The background behind this story is as recognizable as current headlines. A clever reflection of today’s cancel culture and how easily people are inclined to believe their opinions are the only ones that matter. Not to mention the readiness of some to bring violence into what was a peaceful protest. If a logical argument can’t be found, then try intimidation. But if someone dares to stand up to your tactics, be ready to claim YOU were the injured party. And when the Government is spearheading the controversy, things become much worse.
Nailing the Dialogue
As usual when a piece is reflective of current events, one of the first things I pay attention to is the dialogue. Usually under the microscope of “if I were in that position, what would I say.” This is an area that writer Jay Sandlin excels in. The conversations between Barbie and her bosses and the one between her and Penny are spot on. Perfectly capturing the angst of worth being unrecognized and the natural predilection of a teen feeling misunderstood. Sandlin nails both, setting the stage for an impressive series with deeply reflective concerns that resonate clearly in the current climate.
Artwork
Artist Patrick Mulholland is no stranger to writer Sandlin as they collaborated on Maverick’s World Class for Mad Cave. Their partnership continues to shine as Mulholland’s deft artwork skills perfectly embellish the story and the social confrontations both in public and on the home front. When mixed with the colorwork of Adriano Augusto and letter work by Cyanna Ael, Scout Comics MOM Breaks the Internet primes a well ready to burst forth with a story that mirrors present headlines. I’m looking forward to the next installments.
Scout Comics MOM Breaks the Internet, Issue 1 by Jay Sandlin, Patrick Mulholland, Adriano Augusto and Cyanna Ael hits stand later this year. Be sure to check this one out.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
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