In 2046 the U.S. government has squashed dissent to extreme levels. In fact, media personalities must obtain an officially sanctioned license in order to ply their craft. Singer/songwriter, Amanda Casey is a throwback to artists from the days of yore, a revolutionary who sings protest songs, only current circumstances dictate that they’re in the guise of love songs. The Department of Homeland Security is onto her and they’re in pursuit, but to what end? C.J. Hurtt’s One Last Song issue 1 seems a little farfetched conceptually, that is until you get about a page and a half in. This book is a serious and uncompromising metaphor for the Bush Administration’s disregard for civil liberties and the rule of law, from the ironically named Patriot Act on down to the myriad of questionable signing statements. This story is as maddening as it is compelling and while it hits a few predictable notes it does so with purpose, thereby avoiding being cliché. Shawn Richter’s artwork is clean black and white, mostly bold lines with nothing in the way of middle values. It’s quick and simple and it stays out of the way of the narrative’s momentum, never becoming distracting. If you’re in the mood for a cathartic read to cleanse your palette of the nasty taste you may have had for the past 8 years or so, then One Last Song is a series worth your time.