Amputation

Wagner (The Met Gala) exposes the vanities and delusions of a wide range of Los Angeles residents in this exuberant story of the January 2025 wildfires. Comedian Stephen Colbert wakes in his Palisades Highlands home to find himself nearly crushed to death, pinned by a felled tree with only his favorite poems and thoughts of his family for solace. Nearby, terrified Hollywood power players are evacuated from their palatial homes. Other characters include a Jewish bakery owner and Debra Winger superfan who advocates for the liberation of Palestine; “embattled” mayor Karen Bass, who’s held accountable for the devastation; a heroic Harley-riding stuntman who helps evacuate a convalescent home; and many more. Adding to the mayhem is a meth-addled gang of scooter-riding looters, who scour the Highlands to burgle celebrity homes. In typical Wagner style, the characters are drawn with hyperactive flair, and he depicts the merciless fires in stark terms as they’re fueled by “cold, cyclonic 80 mph Santa Anas.” The author’s die-hard fans are sure to love this, and even those new to his work will fall sway to his unapologetic skewering of Hollywood. Marked by Wagner’s inimitable wit, spot-on caricatures, and chatty discursive style, this is on par with his best. (Sept.)