“One Model Nation” is a new graphic novel by Donovan Leitch and C. Allbritton Taylor of the Dandy Warhols. It depicts the brief history of an 1970s West German underground rock band, “One Model Nation,” early innovators in electronic music. It’s a dramatic story, weaving together rock n’ roll, youth revolution and murderous girlfriends, specifically Ulrike Meinhof of the Baader-Meinhof Group/Red Army Faction. 
As a graphic novel, the story is restricted to what can be primarily told through images and dialog, which capture the band’s popularity and mystique. However, no matter how striking the images of band performing are, they cannot replace a couple lines describing what German political art-noise actually sounded like or context for the youth rebellion.
With a story this sensational, it is hard not to become intrigued by the band, their history and their music. However, I am left with many unanswered questions. It is almost as if rather than a stand alone piece, this was meant to be the launching point for further exploration. Unfortunately, not much is readily available on the web (aside from the video below). Not even the film, “Der Baader-Meinhof Komplex” mentions the band. But apparently there is a soundtrack due out later this year. I hope a book follows that.
