The 1930s were a time of the Great Depression, gangsters, the New Deal and FDR. The problem with this era is that most of what people write about it is either pulp or about gangsters. Jonathan Case breaks that mold with his newest comic “The New Deal.†Besides breaking the mold, Case creates a one of a kind story that is sure to be a classic.
In 1930s New York, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel is the place to stay for the rich. It is here that bellhop Frank O’Malley works. One day a woman’s dog’s priceless collar goes missing and Frank, along with maid Theresa, are suspected of theft.
The one thing that stands out is the art. Everything about it just screams 1930s America. The way the characters are drawn is reminiscent of comics of that era. Not to mention the use of blue adds another layer to the mystique of that era. All of these elements combine to make a comic that is not only unique but also brings the alive.
The story is one of the best-written whodunnit stories in comics. Case managed to find a clever angle on who and how the collar was stolen. In fact, the ending has surprises that it’s hard for anyone to see it coming.
The characters are well written and interesting. Theresa comes across a more realistic than most characters like her in this genre (a black person in the 1930s.) Every character gets this same treatment. They all feel like somebody your grandparents may have known when they were young. That is the strength of this comic’s storytelling.
“The New Deal†is a great whodunit comic that is full of life. The characters, writing and art are all high quality with an ending that will leave you satisfied. This is one gem that will leave an impact on anyone who reads it.
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