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Fixed typo, italics

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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
[[File:AmazinSpidermanObama.jpg|thumb|From ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' No. 583 Variant (January 2009)<br>Art by [[Phil Jimenez]] & [[Barry Kitson]].]]
[[Barack Obama]] has appeared as a character in [[comic book]]s published by a number of publishing companies, sometimes appearing as a realistic fictionalized version of himself and sometimes as a spoof.

==Publication history==
Obama made his first appearance as a comic book character in July 2007 in ''Licensable BearTM'' No. 4 by [[Nat Gertler]] and Lonny Chant, where he appeared as a [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]]. The comic only had a print-run of 1,050 issues. A year later, in September 2008, Obama appeared in [[Erik Larsen]]’s ''[[Savage Dragon]]'' No. 137.<ref name="WSJ">{{cite news |first=Jonathan V. |last=Last |title=It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's... Obama |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124719493132621465 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=July 10, 2009 |access-date=July 14, 2009}}</ref> This issue featured a variant cover which showed Obama with the Savage Dragon, who proclaims that he is endorsing him for president.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=394436 |title=''Savage Dragon'' No. 137 |publisher=[[Grand Comics Database]] }}</ref> The issue sold out four print runs.<ref name="WSJ"/> A month later, the comic was followed up by ''Presidential Material: Barack Obama'' by [[Jeff Mariotte]] and in November 2008 with ''Obama: The Comic Book'' by Rod Espinosa.

In November 2008, two things led to an explosion in popularity of the Obama comic book character. One of Obama's advisers gave an interview to journalist Jon Swaine of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' titled, "Barack Obama: The 50 facts you might not know." In the interview, it emerged that Obama collects "[[Spider-Man]] and [[Conan the Barbarian (comics)|Conan the Barbarian]]."<ref>{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Swaine |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/3401168/Barack-Obama-The-50-facts-you-might-not-know.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201011157/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/3401168/Barack-Obama-The-50-facts-you-might-not-know.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |title=Barack Obama: The 50 facts you might not know |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=November 7, 2008 }}</ref> Then later that month, on November 4, 2008, Obama became the first African-American to be elected President of the United States.

When [[Marvel Comics]] discovered the president-elect was an avid collector of [[Spider-Man]] comics, they decided to have Obama the comic book character be put on the cover of their ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' No. 583 (January 2009), for the story "[[Spidey Meets the President!]]" written by [[Zeb Wells]]. This particular release proved extremely popular and sold out in a matter of minutes.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chan|first1=Sewell|title=Lining Up for Obama and Spider-Man|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/hundreds-brave-chill-for-obama-comic/?hp|access-date=7 November 2014|work=The New York Times|date=14 January 2009}}</ref> A day after the release, the edition was sold for $300 on [[eBay]]. Prior to the Spider-Man story, the president-elect was featured in ''Secret Invasion'' #8; this is the first appearance of president-elect Barack Obama in a Marvel comic.

Obama the comic book character has been put on the cover and pages of many other comics including ''Savage Dragon'' No. 145 (February 2008) by Erik Larsen and ''[[Youngblood (comics)|Youngblood]]'' No. 8 (February 2008) by [[Rob Liefeld]]. The ''Savage Dragon'' No. 145 had a special edition variant only offered at the WonderCon 2009 in San Francisco in March 2009 (only 1,500 were produced). On the cover, Barack Obama can be seen holding an American flag and punching Osama Bin Laden in the face.

Barack Obama appears as a major character in the sixth volume of ''[[Bomb Queen]]'' by [[Jimmie Robinson]], tentatively entitled ''[[Bomb Queen vs. Obama]]'' (later as ''Oh-BOMB-Ah!'' and ''Time Bomb''),<ref>{{cite web|last=Grand|first=Alex|url=https://comicbookhistorians.com/cbh-interviews-jimmie-robinson-creator-of-bomb-queen|title=Jimmie Robinson Interview, Creator of ''Bomb Queen''|work=Comic Book Historians|access-date=September 4, 2019|date=September 4, 2019}}</ref> following his cameo in the [[epilogue]] of the previous miniseries [[Bomb Queen V – The Divine Comedy|''The Divine Comedy'' (''Bombastic'')]],<ref>{{cite web|author=CBR Staff|url=https://www.cbr.com/robinson-talks-20-issues-of-bomb-queen|title=Robinson talks 20 Issues of "''Bomb Queen''"|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=August 20, 2009|date=August 20, 2009|quote=You look at [[Barack Obama|[Barack] Obama]] and the guy is shaft of light in the darkness. Doesn't matter that he's still a [[politician]], a [[lawyer]], and talking rhetoric that can never be fulfilled – all the things people normally hate – but he represents a new direction and people respond to that. Even the criminals of society. [[Bomb Queen]] will have a rough time if her city decides to tilt away from supporting her. She is only as powerful as her reign and only considered a [[Queen regent|Queen]] / [[Dictator|ruler]]' if the people allow it.}}</ref> seeing the [[supervillain]] come to odds with the President who "would not stand for a place like Bomb Queen's city";<ref>{{cite web|last=Nevin|first=Will|url=https://www.comicsxf.com/2020/08/28/bomb-queen-creator-robinson-on-resuming-his-half-naked-all-violent-series-in-an-age-of-trump|title={{‘}}''Bomb Queen''{{’}} Creator Robinson On Resuming His Half-Naked, All-Violent Series In An Age Of Trump|work=ComicsXF|access-date=August 28, 2020|date=August 28, 2020}}</ref> Robinson would note that "I personally support the President, I'm glad he's in office, I voted for him. However, I have to write for my character – and she hates Obama. Just like [[Stephen King]] or [[Clive Barker]], who write horrific characters and do not identify with them, so do I, or any writer worth their salt. So this volume was another test for me as a writer to go outside of my personal beliefs and script a story from a villain's perspective,"<ref>{{cite web|last=Sullivan|first=Michael Patrick|url=https://www.cbr.com/jimmie-robinson-talks-bomb-queen-vs-obama|title=Jimmie Robinson Talks ''Bomb Queen vs. Obama''!|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=August 20, 2009|date=August 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905224029/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22607|archive-date=September 5, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> "fighting him on the public front".<ref>{{cite web|last=Mahadeo|first=Kevin|url=https://www.cbr.com/robinson-reignites-the-bomb-queen|title=Robinson Reignites the Bomb (Queen)|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=September 9, 2010|date=September 9, 2010}}</ref>

Barack Obama is the subject of graphic novel ''Barack Hussein Obama'' by [[Steven Weissman]]. In this, President Obama and his cast of characters (Secretary [[Hillary Clinton|Clinton]], [[Vice President of the United States|VP]] [[Joe Biden]], [[Family of Barack Obama|his family]]) experience life in a parallel universe.<ref>{{cite book |author=Steven Weissman |url=https://archive.org/details/barackhusseinoba0000weis |title=Barack Hussein Obama |date=October 10, 2012 |publisher=Fantagraphics Books |isbn=978-1-60699-623-2 |url-access=registration }}</ref>

Barack Obama has also appeared in [[Archie Comics]] Veronica #199, and Archie #616 and #617.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/418372/|title = GCD :: Issue :: Veronica #199}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicmix.com/news/2010/09/22/obama-and-palin-meet-archie-andrews/|title = Obama and Palin Meet… Archie Andrews? – ComicMix}}</ref>

President Obama was in the [[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]] Storyline of DC comics of 2011. He discusses the earth members of The Green Lantern Corp with [[Amanda Waller]].

==Comics featuring Barack Obama==
*'''''MAD Magazine #479''''' Publisher – [[Mad (magazine)]], Release – July 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comics.org/issue/352952/#851911 |title=''Mad (magazine)'' No. 479 |publisher=[[Grand Comics Database]] }}</ref>
*'''''[[Captain America]]''''' #41, Publisher – Marvel Comics, Writer – [[Ed Brubaker]], Artists – [[Steve Epting]], [[Rick Magyar]], Release – October 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=138784 |title=''Captain America'' No. 41 |publisher=[[The Comic Book Database]] }}</ref>
*'''''[[Secret Invasion]]''''' #8, Publisher – Marvel Comics, Writer – [[Brian Michael Bendis]], Artists – [[Leinil Francis Yu]], [[Mark Morales]], [[Laura Martin]], Release – December 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/22527/secret_invasion_2008_8 |title=''Secret Invasion'' No. 8 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] }}</ref>
*'''''Barack Hussein Obama''''' Book 1, Publisher – [[Fantagraphics Books, Inc.]], Writer/Artist – [[Steven Weissman]], Release – November 2012
*'''''Licensable BearTM''''' No. 4, Publisher – [[About Comics]], Writer – [[Nat Gertler]], Artist – [[Lonny Chant]], Release – July 2007
*'''''Savage Dragon''''' No. 137, Publisher – [[Image Comics]], Writer – [[Erik Larsen]], Artist – Erik Larsen, Release – September 2008
*'''''Presidential Material: Barack Obama''''', Publisher – [[IDW Publishing]], Writer – [[Jeff Mariotte]], Artists – [[Tom Morgan (comics)|Tom Morgan]], Release – October 2008<ref>{{cite web |first=Kiel |last=Phegley |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?id=17476&page=article |title=CCI: IDW Enters the political sphere with "Presidential Material" |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=July 28, 2008 |access-date=November 22, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Tim |last=Lasiuta |url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/122580333221583.htm |title=Jeff Mariotte: Explaining Presidential Material |publisher=[[Comics Bulletin]] |date=November 4, 2008 |access-date=November 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121165516/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/122580333221583.htm |archive-date=November 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref>
*'''''Obama: The Comic Book''''', Publisher – [[Antarctic Press]], Writer – [[Rod Espinosa]], Artist – [[Chris Allen (comics)|Chris Allen]], Release – November 2008
*'''''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]''''' #583: "[[Spidey Meets the President!]]", Publisher – [[Marvel Comics]], Writer – [[Zeb Wells]], Artists – [[Barry Kitson]], [[Mark Farmer (comics)|Mark Farmer]], [[Dean White (comics)|Dean White]], [[Cory Petit]], Release – January 2009
*'''''08: A Graphic Diary of the Campaign Trail''''', Publisher – [[Three Rivers Press]], Writer – [[Michael Crowley (journalist)|Michael Crowley]], Artist – [[Dan Goldman (writer)|Dan Goldman]], Release – January 2009
*'''''[[Bomb Queen V – The Divine Comedy]]''''' #6 Publisher – [[Image Comics]], Writer/Artist – [[Jimmie Robinson]], Release – January 2009
*'''''Savage Dragon''''' No. 145, Publisher – Image Comics, Writer – Erik Larsen, Artist – Erik Larsen, Release – February 2009
*'''''Youngblood''''' No. 8, Publisher – Image Comics, Writer – [[Rob Liefeld]], Artist – Rob Liefeld, Release – February 2009
*'''''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]''''' #128–129, Publisher – Marvel Comics, Writer – [[Andy Diggle]], Artist – [[Roberto De La Torre]], Release – March–April 2009
*'''''Female Force: Michelle Obama''''', Publisher – [[Bluewater Productions]], Writer – [[Neal Bailey]], Artist – Ryan Howe, Release – April 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=http://comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=2497&disp=table |title=Preview: Female Force: Michelle Obama |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref>
* '''''[[Drafted (comics)|Drafted]]: 100 Days''''' one shot, Publisher – [[Devil's Due Publishing]], Writer – [[Mark Powers]], Release – June 2009<ref name=chictrib>{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Manker |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-talk-barbarian-04apr04,0,6684937.story |title=Barack Obama comic books: 'Barack the Barbarian' and 'Drafted: One Hundred Days |work=Chicago Tribune |date=April 4, 2009 |access-date=August 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528230751/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-talk-barbarian-04apr04,0,6684937.story |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*'''''[[Barack the Barbarian]]''''', Publisher – [[Devil's Due Publishing]], Writer – [[Larry Hama]], Artist – [[Christopher Schons]], Release – June 2009<ref name=chictrib /><ref>{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Spillius |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/5120374/Barack-Obama-and-Sarah-Palin-appear-in-comic-series.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411170111/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/5120374/Barack-Obama-and-Sarah-Palin-appear-in-comic-series.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2009 |title=Barack Obama and Sarah Palin appear in comic series |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=April 7, 2009 |access-date=November 26, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Alison |last=Flood |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/apr/08/obama-comic-palin |title=Obama battles Red Sarah in comic clash |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=April 8, 2009 |access-date=November 26, 2009 }}</ref><ref name=newsarama050912>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Arrant |url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/050912-Barack-DevilsDue.html |title=Barack the Barbarian? Behind the Latest Obama Comic |publisher=[[Newsarama]] |date=May 12, 2009 |access-date=November 26, 2009 }}</ref>
*'''''President Evil''''', Publisher – Antarctic Press, Writer and artist – [[David Hutchison]], Release – July 2009<ref>{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Bilsborough |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/5985592/Barack-Obama-depicted-as-Zombie-kiler-in-new-comic-book.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810085516/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/5985592/Barack-Obama-depicted-as-Zombie-kiler-in-new-comic-book.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 10, 2009 |title=Barack Obama depicted as Zombie-killer in new comic book |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=August 7, 2009 |access-date=August 7, 2009}}</ref>
*'''''Political Power: Barack Obama''''', Publisher – [[Bluewater Productions]], Writer – [[Chris Ward (comics)|Chris Ward]], Artist – [[Azim Akberali]], Release – September 2009
*'''''[[Army of Darkness: Ash Saves Obama]]''''', Publisher – [[Dynamite Entertainment]], Writer – [[Elliott Serrano]], Artist – [[Ariel Rey Padilla]], Release – September 2009<ref>{{cite web |first=Kiel |last=Phegley |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21645 |title=Bringing Out the Dead w/ Ash & Obama |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=June 18, 2009 |access-date=August 7, 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090627080009/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21645| archive-date= June 27, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
*'''''Air Gear ''''', Publisher – [[Weekly Shōnen Jump]], Writer – [[Oh! great]], Artist – [[Oh! great]], Release – Chapter 227
*'''''Gamble Fish''''', Publisher: [[Weekly Shōnen Champion|Weekly Shonen Champion]], Writer: Aoyama Hiromi, Release: March 2007
*'''''[[Bomb Queen VI – Oh-BOMB-Ah!]]''''' Publisher – [[Image Comics]], Writer/Artist – [[Jimmie Robinson]], Release – September 2009 – January 2011
*'''''[[Godzilla Comics|Godzilla]]: Kingdom of Monsters''''' No. 1, Publisher – IDW Publishing, Writer – [[Eric Powell (comics)|Eric Powell]], Artist – [[Phil Hester (comics)|Phil Hester]], Release – March 2011<ref>{{cite web |first=Ray |last=Tate |url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/130176661124198.htm |title=Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters No. 1 – Line of Fire Reviews |publisher=Comics Bulletin |date=April 2, 2011 |access-date=April 15, 2011 }}</ref>
*'''''Veronica''''' #199
*'''''Archie''''' #616 and #617

==See also==
*[[Public image of Barack Obama#In popular culture|Depictions of Barack Obama]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{gcdb|type=character|search=Barack+Obama|title=Barack Obama}}
*{{Comicbookdb|type=character|id=26226|title=Barack Obama}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*[http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/hundreds-brave-chill-for-obama-comic/?hp&_r=0 Lining Up for Obama and Spider-Man] (New York Times, 1/14/09)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090526092920/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/05/22/preview-political-power-barack-obama-but-can-it-beat-puppy-power/ PREVIEW: "Political Power: Barack Obama"] (MTV Splash Page, 5/22/09)

{{Barack Obama}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Obama, Barack}}
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Barack Obama|Comics]]
[[Category:Fictional presidents of the United States]]
[[Category:Comics based on real people|Obama, Barack]]
[[Category:Comics set in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Works set in the White House]]
[[Category:2007 comics debuts]]
[[Category:Black people in comics]]

Barack Obama in comics - Revision history

imported>Packer1028: Fixed typo, italics