Get Your War On

Infobox Webcomic|
title = Get Your War On


caption = "Get Your War On" uses clip-art pictures combined with dialogue that is highly politicized and often sarcastic.
author = David Rees
url = http://www.mnftiu.cc/mnftiu.cc/war.html
status =
began = October 9 2001
ended =
genre = Satire
ratings =

"Get Your War On" is a series of satirical comic strips by David Rees about political topics — originally the effects of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York City but quickly switching focus to more recent ones, in particular the "War on Terrorism". The series achieved a cult following on the Internet, and in particular on discussion forums and blogs, very soon after debuting on October 9, 2001.

From a technical standpoint the strips are very crude, being assembled from about a dozen simple clip art pictures of office workers (with a few exceptions, most notably Voltron) that recur continually, often in the same strip. Almost all are in red on a white background. Owing to a heavy emphasis on dialogue there is almost no action. Highly disillusioned and cynical, it is heavily laden with expletives.

"Get Your War On" has been published in book form, with the author's royalties (as well as part of the publisher's income for the first book) donated to landmine clearing efforts. It has also been published regularly in "Rolling Stone"Balog, Kathy, et al. (September 9 2004). "Our critics' top picks". "USA TODAY", Pg. 6D ] and some alternative newspapers. In 2004, Rees was interviewed in the book "," edited by award-winning syndicated editorial cartoonist Ted Rall. "Attitude 2" included other cartoonists such as Alison Bechdel and Aaron McGruder.Raiteri, Steve (July 15 2004). "Attitude 2: The New Subversive Alternative Cartoonists". "Library Journal Reviews", Pg. 62 ]

In 2005 it was adapted into a stage performance by Rude Mechanicals of Austin, Texas. The performance was revived in the winter of 2006van Ryzin, Jeanne Claire (September 7 2006). "Future of art emerges into reality". "Austin American-Statesman", XLENT; Pg. 15 ] and began a tour of the country in the fall of 2006.Gross, Joe (January 26 2006). "The art of war". "Austin American-Statesman", XLENT; Pg. 14 ] The tour included stops in Houston,Evans, Everett (September 23 2006). "THEATER: Get Your War On is a political zinger". "The Houston Chronicle", Star; Pg. 3 ] Philadelphia,Zinman, Toby (September 15 2006). "A satire of politics, or of the characters?". "The Philadelphia Inquirer", Pg. W27] New York,Zinoman, Jason (January 13 2007). "A History Lesson That Sprays Scorn Liberally". "The New York Times", Pg. B14] and Washington, D.C.Pressley, Nelson (October 7 2006). "Internet Comic Strip 'Get Your War On' Goes 3-D on Stage". "The Washington Post", Pg. C01]

In 2007, "Get Your War On" comics were included with the works of Jenny Holzer and Goya in the "DISSENT!" exhibition of protest art at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum.Editorial board (February 10 2007). "Truth to power, in all caps". "The Boston Globe", Pg. A10]

In 2008, "Get You War On" began running as an animated series on the comedy site 23/6.

Critical reaction

"The New York Times" has called "Get Your War On" a "glorious excoriation of our post-9/11 loony bin",Carson, Tom (October 3 2004). "Last Comic Standing". "The New York Times", Pg. 20G] while "The Miami Herald", in their review of the second "Get Your War On" book, called it "Profane, decidedly anti-war and screamingly funny ... guaranteed to make you laugh yourself sick."Ogle, Connie (November 24 2004). "Go Ahead, Make Your Buddy's Belly Ache From Laughing". "The Miami Herald", Pg. 22E] "Time" magazine has compared "Get Your War On" to "Doonesbury" and "The Boondocks", calling it "a fresher (and more R-rated) critique" of the Bush administration. Poniewozik, James (July 12, 2002). "The Cultural Campaign". "Time", p. 69.]

In book form

* "Get Your War On." Brooklyn: Soft Skull, 2002. ISBN 1-887128-76-X
* "Get Your War On II." New York: Riverhead, 2004. ISBN 1-59448-048-6

Quotes

* "Yes! "" is in the house!!!" ( [http://www.mnftiu.cc/mnftiu.cc/war.html October 9, 2001 strip] )
* "Bush was so tired he kept repeating the phrase 'September 11th' no matter what the question was - I wonder if he was aware of that?" ( [http://www.mnftiu.cc/mnftiu.cc/war21.html March 10, 2003] )
* "You know, when you put it like that, I start to think my society is evil not to do more to help. So could you please not put it like that?" ( [http://www.mnftiu.cc/mnftiu.cc/war27.html October 16, 2003] )
* "Dude, if Americans tolerated as much shit in their socks as they do in their president, they'd have mushrooms growing out of their fucking ankles." ( [http://www.mnftiu.cc/mnftiu.cc/war48.html July 4, 2005] )

References

* Begun, Bret (November 4, 2002). "Is It OK to Laugh Yet?". "Newsweek", p. 54.

External links

* [http://www.mnftiu.cc/mnftiu.cc/war.html Official site]
* [http://www.notmuch.com/Show/] - Interview with David Rees in part 1 of February 3, 2007, radio show "Whad'ya know"
* [http://www.236.com/tag/Get%2BYour%2BWar%2BOn Animated Series on 236.com]