No list of the Most Underrated Of 2000 would be complete without Robert’s Smigel’s criminally funny X-PRESIDENTS. Nobody I know read this book. I don’t think Smigel realizes it was published. Whatever, this book deserves more readers than it got.

There are probably a lot of reasons why it got zero press. I just happened to stumble across the book in Previews, buried somewhere between porn and statues of porn. A huge Smigel fan, I preordered the book right on the spot. Shock of shock, mine was the only copy my store ordered. It probably didn’t help that the book was published by Villard (An extension of Random House OmniCorp), and not a major comic company. Still, that means that most good bookstores carry it in their humor section, so hunt down a copy of this gem.

The X-Presidents, based on the short of the same name featured on Saturday Night Live’s "Saturday TV Funhouse" (and later on the show of the same name on Comedy Central), consist of our living "ex"-Presidents, in an alternate reality in which they were gifted with superhuman powers. In a world that hates and fears them, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush fight crime and keep the world safe from Communists and aliens. And they do it in style.

I’d rather not give too much away about the plot or the hysterically funny situations in the book, but rest assured the book is a riot from start to finish, filled both with political humor and an appreciation for the trappings of old superhero comics. I love how Smigel (and co-writer McKay) twist each President’s lame catch phrases, into "witty" banter. Something about a robotic William Henry Harrison headbutting George Bush while shouting "Tippicanoe and a world of hurt for you!" gives me a warm feeling inside.

The book looks like an old Marvel comic from the 60s. The ads are all fake and absolutely hysterical (Be sure to read the fine print of every ad and disclaimer for stuff like "The stories, characters, and incidents mentioned in this magazine are absolutely hilarious. Kudos to all involved. No actual persons, living or dead, will buy this book." It’s funny cause it’s true! Read everything in this book, even the back cover.

Even though three pencillers and an inker along with his associates (Does he have an ink gang?) are listed in the credits, the book has a singular look throughout, and I have no clue who inked or penciled what. Everything is faithful to the TV Funhouse style, and the paper is even yellowed to enhance the nostalgic feel.

But the book’s not perfect. At only 80 pages, $12.95 is a pretty steep price. It’s understandable when you look at the slick production, and the lack of any actual advertisements, but still, this book really should have been $10. Also, some of the gags do miss their mark. Specifically, the multiple panels of the X-Presidents as a Josie & The Pussycats-esque band, with lyrics to their songs are completely pointless. Sure, it’s funny in the cartoon, but without the accompanying music, it’s really unnecessary. It’s not surprising that this is Smigel’s first comic, I doubt a veteran would have included that. And I should mention, there is some pretty graphic language and even some nudity in the book. It didn’t offend me, but if you find graphic depictions of the sexual act between Jimmy Carter and Imelda Marcos offensive; well, best to stay away from this book.

So the price isn’t ideal, but X-PRESIDENTS is still a very funny book, and a fine graphic novel, and a wonderful gift for your Valentine.

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Matt Singer also writes From The Wire for PopImage. He has ten fingers and ten toes. Whoops, make that nine fingers. Anyone have some gauze?

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