War: Bob Woodward

The release of a Bob Woodward book is a big news event for political junkies.

“War” is no different. Its release a couple of weeks ago was accompanied by plenty of news stories hyping various details from the book. One of the most discussed is then-President Donald Trump sending COVID-19 tests to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the height of the pandemic.

Pushing past the scattered revelations, “War” chronicles the Biden presidency’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Hamas attack and Israeli response in the Middle East. 

Woodward also delves into Trump’s post-presidency meddling into international affairs, his campaigning for the 2024 election and his criminal charges and trials. The book looks at the turbulent campaign, especially the tumultuous events of the past summer which included an assassination attempt on Trump and President Joe Biden withdrawing from the race and Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.

The main takeaways from “War” revolve around Biden. 

In the book, Biden is deeply involved in the overarching U.S. approach and the details in responding to the war situations developing around the world. “War’s” Biden is at the top of his game in the meetings, phone calls, etc., reported here. Woodward does cover what appears to be a decline in Biden’s abilities as a day wears into evening, as the President ages in office and as he worries about what will happen to his son, Hunter.

The book concludes by noting Biden successfully developed strategies that, among other things, helped the Ukraine fend off Russia and protected Israel from an Iranian missile attack, without committing or directly involving American troops.

The book does not look deeply at the American economy or other domestic issues. As the bold title states, the book looks at war. And in that realm, Woodward makes the case that Biden and his team responded successfully with military help without taking the nation to war. 

Fantastic Four: Fortune Favors the Fantastic

Writer Ryan North and artists such as Carlos Gomez and Ivan Fiorelli – and fantastic painted covers by Alex Ross – continue taking the Fantastic Four in new and unprecedented directions.

Marvel Comics’ first family has always done things differently. 

From the no secret identities and family squabbles first introduced by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in FF No. 1 in 1961 to North’s thrusting Ben “The Thing” Grimm and Johnny “Human Torch” Storm into an employee of the month competition working at a grocery store to a detective noir storyline with Alicia Grimm as a private eye in a pocket dimension, the Fantastic Four has often tried new ways of telling a story.

But, as noted, North seems to be stretching those stories in directions not often expected in traditional superhero comic books. And not just stretching the abilities of the very stretchable Reed “Mr. Fantastic” Richards to more closely resemble the abilities of Plastic Man.

North has a light touch with the Fantastic Four. The super group faces cosmic threats, takes part in Marvel mega-crossovers, such as “Blood Hunt,” which covers two issues collected in “Fortune Favors the Fantastic,” and depends on Reed’s intellect, Johnny’s enthusiasm, Ben’s muscles, Sue “Invisible Woman” Richards’ invisibility and force field powers, and a little help from their friends to overcome all odds.

But North never forgets the true magic of the FF – hope.