Review by Frank Plowright

Ted Akers is a former marine who still bears the scars of his service, after which he used his intelligence and quick wit to become a regular representative of conservative views on TV talk shows. He’s admired by those running rural militias, one of whom is former government agent Ezekiel Dutton who became embedded so deep he concluded he could run Roots of Liberty more efficiently. The organisation has come onto the radar as a viable danger, and Akers agrees to talk with Dutton while advising he doesn’t necessarily disagree with his views.

Published in 2012, but set in 2020, Right State remains very contemporary. Mat Johnson supplies it as fiction, but he’s tapped into the discontent and powerlessness felt by many white Americans in poor rural areas who don’t figure they count anymore. It makes for unsettling reading as although the language is relatively restrained, the offensive views aren’t. In part this is because the primary objective is to produce an action thriller, so there’s little in the way of rational disagreement as characters talk among themselves in a protected setting. Neither is it highlighted in switches between Akers’ infiltration and political talk show segments.

Although set slightly in the future on publication, the intention is to present a recognisable world, so Andrea Mutti’s grey-toned art is naturalistic and without exaggeration, and there are no obvious concessions to the future. Cast members are easily distinguished, with the dishevelled Dutton especially well realised, and a highlight is the only sequence departing from reality.

What begins with Akers having doubts develops into a realisation that atrocities committed in the guise of political change aren’t restricted to Islamic fanatics. The belief that all Muslims are represented by extremists is neatly undercut by the government agent leading the investigation having Arabic ancestry.

Right State builds toward a public Presidential address, with a growing awareness of considerable disruption, but Akers powerless to send a warning. The climax is cinematically tense, and features a clever couple of surprises. The airing of unpalatable views will mean this isn’t for everyone, but it’s well considered and maintains suspense until the end.