In recent years there has been an increase in racial issues in society. Now despite dominating mainstream media, these issues have yet to migrate into the comic world. Image’s new comic written by Jimmie Robinson, Power Lines, begins to usher in comics that deal with racial issues. Now Power Lines focuses on racial tensions between a young African American man and an older white woman who have prejudgments about each other and their respective races, yet they both share a special power.
The Good:
The comic depicts racism from both an African American and white perspective. In particular the comic captures how African Americans view whites, specifically those living in white neighborhoods. This is done through a gang’s action, that the main character Derrick (D-trick) is a part of as he participates in graffiti and stealing items from cars. In doing these activities he has the idea that this community can afford to pay to replace and clean up the mess that the gang makes because they are white and have monetary opportunities. Derrick’s activities are motivated and justified by a person’s skin color without knowing what that person has gone through or their economic or social means. Conversely, the victim who was robbed is a 48-year-old white woman named Sarah. Sarah despite being white has been widowed and has 2 sons. One of her sons is paralyzed due to a car accident and she has a close-minded view on African Americans. She views them as adding to crime activity, being high school drop outs, taking welfare, and being a burden on society. Sarah does not know that Derrick is a smart high school student who is being tracked to go to college, that has no criminal record, and is not on welfare, yet she makes this assumption about all African Americans based on their economic, social qualities, and skin color. The comic does an excellent job of showing how both white and African Americans can be equally racist toward one another and form biases based upon economics, social issues, and the color of your skin. As a result of showing both sides the comic forces you as a reader to think and reflect on the current state of racism that we have today.
The Bad:
In order to generate an interesting story a science fiction element is introduced into this comic as both Sarah and Derrick gain super human abilities. Now the element of both of them having super human abilities is necessary as it pushes the story along yet it challenges the realistic elements that the comic puts forth, in particular the theme of racism. As a result Jimmie Robinson has to balance telling a story that readers can relate to with making a point that resonates with a reader and leaves them questioning racism. Unfortunately, Robinson has to tell the story at the cost of hammering and truly establishing his point about the causes and effects that racism has on individuals.
The Verdict:
A comic like Power Lines is ushering in a new wave of comics, as it is one of the first comics that addresses racism openly. It shows both sides from white and African American viewpoints and captures how both are equally part of the problem as they have preconceived ideas. Now the comic is not perfect as the science fiction element takes away from the realistic elements that the comic presents which diminishes the point the comic is attempting to prove. Power Lines is an interesting comic that is thought provoking about racism, in particular the cause and effect it has upon our society.
