I'm interested in any series (or creator) that manages to steer clear of overt political messaging. I've started reading comics again since the early 2000s and have had some difficulty finding stories that neither devolve into propaganda-like political messaging nor falls for typical grandstanding character and storyline tropes from about 2013 on. ( E.g. "Oh, you see, the person who's all about family values and anti-communism is dundun dun a bad person himself!")

I know, I know: "Everyone is biased and brings that subjective truth to their work yadda yadda." I have a hard time believing all writers are incapable of objective truths that are not tainted by heavy-handed partisan politics.

Fantasy, Crime, Adventure - the genre doesn't matter. I am looking for a good story, not a lecture from someone who knows less than I do about public governance.

Any help/ideas?

Thank you.

Comics, like all art forms, are inherently vehicles of social commentary, which includes politics among other things. Quite literally every comic you encounter will contain some form of messaging in some form or another. This is why art as a broad category is extremely useful in tracing and understanding history as it functions in many ways as a snapshot of the time and environment it is created in. It's pretty near impossible to avoid art having a specific viewpoint.

What might be easier for you if you are looking for comics that you would most enjoy or that would feel less like propaganda to you is to seek out creators who share your values and explore their work. There are solid creators in every genre and of just about every imaginable perspective. It's one of the best things about comics: there is something for everyone.

Nicole, I agree in principle that everyone has a specific viewpoint, comics as commentary, expressions of the times, etc. I'm referring to overt political propaganda taking over the characters and storytelling in significance. As I am neither on the (American) left or right, I do not have a voice at all when comics simply become a vehicle for bludgeoning the reader into ideological compliance.

I'm not saying nothing can be said, because that makes storytelling pointless, but I am saying that it's exhausting to have to chew through the most obnoxious gristle to get any meat (which often feels like an afterthought at best).

Believe me, I'm no stranger to politics. I just think there should be more to a floppy book than forced ideological compliance.

Have you tried manga ... while all comics are influenced by the politics of their authors ... I've found that many Japanese manga downplay it more.

7 hours ago, MAG said:

Have you tried manga ... while all comics are influenced by the politics of their authors ... I've found that many Japanese manga downplay it more.

You know, I have, but mostly surface level stuff. I'm generally more inclined towards western art styles, but I'll give whatever a whirl if it's good. Any suggestions that I should check out?

Oh my ... do I have some suggestions ... but first ... tell me your top western titles (story or art wise)... that will give me an idea of what to recommend.

Sure! These days I lean towards older writers' characters. Robert E. Howard's Kull and Conan (I'm more of a Kull man than Conan, though I love them both). Burrough's Tarzan and John Carter stories. Eisner's "Spirit" and "The Shadow" (Though this one really depends on who's handling it). I'm really enjoying Low right now too. Ummm . . . . Eagle Comics' Judge Dredd run. Loving Brubaker's "Velvet" so far (About 6 issues in). The 1st run of XO Manowar. Metabarons. Six from Sirius. There's a bunch more, but I hope this gives you a general picture. Thanks!