Client:  The Washington Post

 

Art Direction: Michelle Kondrick

 

Description: Editorial illustration for an article by Joseph Finders titled 'What's a spy novelist to do in the age of Trump?'

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This article reflects on the current status of spy thriller in the world of literature and other media.  The spy novel really came into its own during the cold war years but since the fall of USSR our relationship with Russia has changed significantly, some say it's gone full circle.  Are spy fiction writers avoiding Russian espionage based thrillers due to a potential backlash?  Are audiences more suspicious of 'bad guys' closer to home than over seas?  A t-shirt slogan stating “I’d rather be a Russian than a Democrat”? worn by a Trump supporter in a 2018 rally, really speaks to how our perception of Russia is growing ever more complex.

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