The Thin Blue Line Vol: 1 Review - The 2020 Summer of Love Revisited
Writer: Mike Baron | Pencils: Joseph Arnold | Colors: Ichsan Ansori
2020 was a rough year. Covid hit and changed the trajectory of the world. We’re still dealing with the ramifications of a contested 2020 Presidential election. Regardless of who you voted for its safe to assume that you didn’t get what you paid for. On top of those events there were the George Floyd Protests/Riots that galvanized the country leading to a wave of anti-police sentiment across the country.
At the outset of this review, I want to mention that I lean Center-Right politically. I’m also an African American man that has been pulled over and arrested several times. I have a clean rap sheet, but it is hard not to see some level of racism in those encounters, fair or not. Dealing with the police is always a tense situation but I have never felt my life was at risk. That is just my perspective. I cannot speak for anyone else.
The Thin Blue line is Mike Baron’s reaction to the events of 2020 and the subsequent defund the police movement. The story follows Officer Val Boca, a Latina police officer and single mother based out of Illinois. There are several other named officers in the story, notably Three Jays, and Bob.
The story takes place at the outset of a protest event that eventually spirals out of control. Police officers are murdered by Antifa; civilians are caught in the crossfire and politicians look to exploit the situation for personal gain.
The Graphic Novel is very self-aware of the current political climate. In fact, a lot of the talking points of the rioters are ripped right out of the new cycle. Whether your primary source of news is Fox, CNN, or MSNBC you have heard them before. The beauty of The Thin Blue Line is that underneath all the political rhetoric there is a group of Cops trying to maintain order in a world rapidly falling apart around them.
The characters feel real and maintain a familial bond throughout the story. The Officers are not perfect. There are several skeletons are exposed over the course of the narrative, but the Cop’s maintain honor and do their best to serve their community while on duty.
Joseph Arnold illustrates the story. There is a raw and visceral urgency to the story. Scene’s move fast but you never lose track of what is going on. Joseph’s art direction does a wonderful job conveying shocking violence as well as the somber emotional beats of the story. The characters are diverse and celebrates its diversity without calling attention to it or pandering.
The only knock I have against the book is that it goes a bit too hard in “Owning the Libs.” I understand that many far leftists have lost the plot, but lack of understanding and “Othering” of the opposition is why our country has fractured to begin with. I get the point, but more nuances would have been appreciated.
Aside from minor gripes “The Thin Blue Line” is a deeply engaging story that offers a stunning rebuke the Antifa and defund the police movement. It is a little heavy-handed at times, but the passion never overshadows the core message of honor, duty, sacrifice and solidarity within the Law Enforcement community.
In Short: The Thin Blue Line grapples with the reality of policing in a post George Floyd world.
Thanks, Jemal!