THE X-PRESIDENTS
A Ragtag Group of Leaders of the Free World
The X-Presidents was an opportunity for Ryan Lanigan to combine many of his favorite things into one ridiculous package. The result was a colorful and only slightly informative run through the presidential history of the United States of America through the lens of comic book heroes and villains.
The inspiration came from a viewing of the film Logan, in which an aging version of the X-Men’s Wolverine takes a post-apocalyptic road trip with a fragile Charles Xavier to save a young mutant named Laura. He came away from the film with the thought that Hugh Jackman’s beard and aged make-up gave the impression of Abraham Lincoln with adamantium claws and he felt compelled to draw that. Seeing the results, he wondered who other presidents might be best identified with, and the concept was born.
Available in a hardcover coffee table book or smaller paperback, The X-Presidents combines pop culture, humor, and history in a brightly illustrated package that can be purchased here.
THE CHALLENGE
Create an interesting and enjoyable book that delivers on the concept of US Presidents as comic book heroes and villains.
Not All Heroes
While no one wants to think Dr. Doom is running the country, the perspective of history no doubt labels many of our leaders as something closer to a villain than Captain America. Researching the lives of our presidents gave Ryan the info he needed to make those distinctions. Unless it was funnier to go another direction because the man’s name happens to be Millard.
Less Is More
There are tons of better places to read about presidential history, so Ryan wanted to keep the hard-line history to a minimum. The X-Presidents is glad to borrow from history for humor or context on character choices, but it knows what you are here for.
THE SOLUTION
The final product was a large format coffee table book full of kitsch and color.
The X-Presidents is 48 pages of filibustered fun that is available in 13″ x 11″ hardcover or 8″ x 10″ paperback. A preview flipbook is featured above.
Gallery Show & Event
Ryan Lanigan and artwork from the X-Presidents were featured at the Norton Center for the Arts during the “Why Do Superheroes Exist?” round-table event. As part of a panel of experts that included Centre faculty and staff, Ryan answered questions and provided insight into his perspective on the rise of superheroes in popular culture.
Large prints of several presidents were available for viewing before and after the event.
