Graphic Novel Story Synopsis
It is the year 2013. Russia and China have merged to form one of the world’s largest superpowers, and declared themselves The United Russian and Chinese Continental Republic, or “R.C.C.R.” for short, with the capital of the superpower being In Moscow. The United States and most of Europe have formed an alliance. Even though both sides are democratic, tensions between the two are getting worse every day. The R.C
.C.R has control over Iran, as they are providing them with weapons and support. However, it is clear to the international community that Russia and China are preparing to establish permanent military control of the region to protect oil interests there. The United States, on the other hand, is establishing bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, building in strategic outposts in the Middle East, and preparing to take control of the region and shut down oil exports in expectation of a massive conflict between Iran and the West, funded on one side by the R.C.C.R and the other by the United States.
In Russia, internal affairs are getting worse every day, as people realize more and more that the democracy is a fraud. There is a “democracy” where there is a President and a parliament, and elections are held every 5 years, on the first Monday of October. When the story starts out, Dmitri Medvedev is the current Russian President, but someone will soon succeed him close to his administration. Almost everyone knows, however, that the democracy is a fraud; the upcoming elections are closely monitored; the underdog candidate is allowed no ads on TV or in magazines, and Mr. Medvedev is making sure that his successor will become the next president, and he will still maintain his power.
However, the as tensions continue to increase in the Middle east, relations between the two superpowers begin to deteriorate, and both countries begin launching satellites and missiles into space and having military demonstrations to warn each other of their power. The R.C.C.R begins clandestinely developing space technology to build a doomsday device that would destroy North America. On both sides, people are preparing for war. At the same time, as the election continues to go on, Mr. Medvedev’s successor is looking like the person that will become the new president.
When the story starts out, Mikhail Komarov will have just been promoted to the assistant to the Mayor of Moscow. He does tasks like organize meetings for the mayor and help him with speeches, etc. If the Mayor dies, Mikhail will take over the task of mayor for a short time before a more permanent replacement can be found. He earns a modest income, and lives in a medium sized apartment in Moscow. However, soon an event will trigger a complete change in the region, one that will be taught for years to come in Russian history classes.
In downtown Moscow, near Red Square, a massive series of high explosives goes off during a parade celebrating the Army day on February 23. In the attack, the Mayor of Moscow is killed, and a large portion of downtown Moscow is engulfed in flames. When
the Mayor is killed, Mikhail takes over. He organizes a large amount of temporary shelters and hospitals, and performs well under the extreme pressure of the situation. The news reaches the world fast, and people begin pointing fingers and wondering who was responsible for the attack. However, Mr. Medvedev is vacationing in Thailand at the time, and by the time the news reaches him, it is a day late. He flies to Moscow and attempts to get support for the people there, but encounters many difficulties, because the person he appointed to lead the Department of Emergency Affairs, or D.E.A is incompetent; Mr. Medvedev did not expect there to be an attack on his country. He attempts to help the people in Moscow by sending troops there, but the troops are not very experienced and cannot do much to help the people caught in the attack. By the time the first D.E.A. support reaches Moscow, thousands are already dead.
Mikhail Komarov is declared a hero throughout Russia, and his valiant efforts are heard throughout the country. Mr. Medvedev’s regime is cast into a deep shadow, and polls show that Medvedev’s Regime is unpopular among most Russians. Mikhail decides to run for president of Russia at his brother’s suggestion. He figures he can use his experience in the military to help him with his duties as president. Medvedev realizes the Mikhail poses a threat to his regime, and so he prevents him from running in the elections and imprisons him in Moscow. This sparks massive protests throughout Russia, and as people gather in the streets, Medvedev realizes his mistake. A mob overtakes the prison where Komarov is held and releases him; they march throughout the streets and make every major news station in the nation. Over the passing months, demonstrations sometimes turn violent, and Medvedev declares martial law. However, this enrages even more people, and eventually, Medvedev goes into exile, and his regime is soon overtaken. Komarov declares himself president, and there are massive celebrations on the streets.
Komarov does extremely well as dictator, and he bars the democracy, declaring it one of the evils of the western world. He livens the spirit of the people by blaming the attacks on the western world, and increases people’s patriotism for Russia. He builds up spirit among Russians by constantly denouncing the west. He bribes the news stations to sway their stories his way. Slowly his regime takes over all forms of media and makes sure that the people in his country only watch, read, and listen to government propaganda. Anyone who is outspoken against his actions is declared “one of them” and loses their credibility to almost everyone in the country. His government institutes these changes very slowly, so that almost nobody notices. Those that do keep quiet about it, because people who are vocal against the government in public are immediately reported and sometimes disappear, never to be seen again. There are cameras installed in every district of every city in every province in the entire country. Facial recognition software follows every person who is in the country; people who are outspoken against the regime are identified, fingerprinted, and registered. They are then listened to everywhere they go using special microphones that pick up sounds targeted at them. The propaganda on T.V, in magazines, and on the radio warns of an impending guerilla attack all of the time, and says that these security measures are needed for the protection of the Russian people.
Komarov uses the taxes on all of the businesses in his country to pump massive amounts of money into the military. He uses a small portion of money to add infrastructure to his country, and when he does, it is highly publicized. Polls about living conditions are faked, and anyone who denounces them is thrown in prison. People continue to believe that Komarov is doing an excellent job running their country. Soon, the military in his country is so large, that it supports millions, providing them with jobs and money. Many people in the military earn more money than people in the private sector. Soon, Komarov has made his country into a dictatorship. In another 5 years, people have already forgotten that there were elections. Children are taught of Komarov’s many achievements in schools, and taught to frown upon western culture and ideals. The ideals of capitalism, free market, and free press are thought to contaminate the perfect community that is formed by Komarov’s government.
Mikhail Komarov himself, however, is being overrun by corruption. He is constantly paranoid of his own advisors plotting to take over him. His advisors are the most watched people in the entire country. On June 11, 2021, Komarov makes some of his top generals organize a coup to overthrow the communist government in China, and takes control of the Chinese government. Within two years, there are cameras installed in every street in China, and Komarov tours the country, declaring the improvements he will make there. His army has such a strong presence in China that people wouldn’t dare speak out against him. Those that do are quickly deported, never to be seen again.
On October 12, 2022, some of Komarov’s advisors execute a carefully planned attack on Komorov, planting a small bomb in the lining of his suitcase. When the bomb goes off, however, Komorov is injured, but not killed.
...and that's all I have thus far. I will come up with the downfall of Mr. Komarov soon.
image credit: sxc.hu
Labels: Graphic Novel Project