Quote of the day

"Looky, every guy likes to think he's action/adventure. Deep down we all wanna be Han Solo. But we can't. Somebody has to be Obi Wan Kenobi."

That's from "Birth of a Nation". No, not the movie. The new graphic novel co-authored by Aaron McGruder and Reginald Hudlin of "Boondocks" and "House Party" (yes, the movie) fame, respectively. It begins with everyone in East St. Louis -- including the mayor, our hero -- not being allowed to vote in the presidential election due to somehow mysteriously showing up on the convicted felons list. The election is decided by 300-or-so votes in favor of a certain bumbling Texas governor named ... Caldwell. So the mayor of East St. Louis declares that his town is no longer part of the United States. Wackiness ensues.

But underneath the wackiness -- and it is one helluva funny story -- is serious socio-political commentary. I don't want to go into details for fear of giving away all the good stuff, but it's a highly enjoyable read. I recommmend it for everyone. Even those of you who've never been to St. Louis. Or East St. Louis, for that matter. God knows, I sure as hell didn't spend a whole lot of time over there.