cover image The Wall: The Refugees’ Path to a New Republic

The Wall: The Refugees’ Path to a New Republic

Ted Takashima, trans. from the Japanese by Giuseppe di Martino. Museyon (IPG, dist.), $15.95 trade paper (320p) ISBN 978-1-940842-46-2

Army Capt. Jadon Green, the hero of this clunky, earnest mash-up of politics and espionage set in the near future from Takeshima (Fallout), is dubbed the Border Butcher after a standoff between U.S. troops and a throng of Central American immigrants at the U.S./Mexico border wall results in the massacre of more than 100 refugees. The public outcry leads to Green’s court-martial and dishonorable discharge. Ten months later, Green’s former commander gives him another chance—to command an elite military unit in support of Operation Caravan, a top secret plan to help a group of revolutionaries overthrow the Central American republic of Cordova’s corrupt dictator and build a new, democratic nation. The 20-day mission aims to effectively kill two birds with one stone by solving the immigrant crisis in the States and giving the Cordovans back their homeland. Meanwhile, an enterprising FBI agent, after uncovering the truth behind the tragedy at the border wall, sets out to clear Green’s name. Slow, repetitive plotting and one-dimensional characters undermine the well-meaning scenario. Don Winslow this is not. (Oct.)