The Press Guardian: Character Guide
The Press Guardian – Perry Chase is a reporter at the Daily Review-Express. He considered editor-in-chief, Richard Dayu, to be a mentor and father figure. Perry’s investigation into Richard’s murder prompts him to become the Press Guardian. Only Cynthia Blake and Nicholas Baldwin know his identity as Perry fights crime, corruption, and the menace of authoritarianism.
Richard Dayu – Richard Dayu was the longtime editor-in-chief of the Daily Review-Express who mentored many of the paper’s reporters early in their careers. Dayu was a dissident during the country’s dictatorship and had worked at the Daily Review-Express for decades. He is believed to have been murdered by the Yaharzan mafia for investigating government corruption, but the killing was made to look like a robbery. Richard’s death inspired Perry Chase to become the Press Guardian (See Issue #1).
Cynthia Blake – Cynthia Blake is an energetic and determined reporter at the Daily Review-Express who took on the mantle of editor-in-chief after Richard Dayu’s murder. She is one of the only people who knows the Press Guardian’s true identity.
Detective Nicholas Baldwin – Nicholas Baldwin was a senior detective in the Amtilica Police Department. He trusted Perry Chase due to the fact that they served in the army together years earlier. Because of that, Baldwin was a confidential source for Perry Chase regarding on-going police investigations and the capital’s criminal underworld. Although initially reluctant, Detective Baldwin proved to be instrumental in the arrest of the Chessman (See Issue #4). Unfortunately, the Yaharzan mafia retaliated against both Chase and Baldwin, resulting in Baldwin being killed by hitmen (See Issue #8).
Bartholomew Danor – Bartholomew Danor was a former army colonel who led a small, far-right faction in parliament called the Eternal Nation Party. Surprisingly, it was revealed that Danor was an opponent of President Krebtz, the New National Dream, and their vision for the country. In Issue #5, Danor was interviewed in secret by Cynthia Blake where he detailed the regime’s nefarious plans and provided the Daily Review-Express with troves of documents. Sometime later, Danor died of a supposed heart attack while vacationing in France, but the cause of his death was eventually ruled inconclusive and suspicious.
The Chessman – Although he appears to be just an old man playing chess in the park, the Chessman is actually the head of the Yaharzan mafia. A mysterious figure, he is believed to have brutally eliminated all rival bosses and to have entered into an arrangement with Alexander Krebtz a decade ago, while Krebtz was Interior Minister. In exchange for a monopoly over organized crime in the country, the Chessman acts as an enforcer for the regime, killing its opponents and exerting pressure to secure its rule indefinitely. (See Classified Files: The Chessman)
President Alexander Krebtz – Alexander Krebtz is an ambitious nationalist politician and an authoritarian populist who seeks to transform Yaharza into an autocracy under the control of himself and his political party, the New National Dream.
General Theodore Thurber – Theodore Thurber is a retired army officer and diplomat and the opposition’s candidate challenging President Alexander Krebtz in the upcoming election. He is an elder statesman and a political moderate. Among the public, he is predominantly known for having led several UN peacekeeping operations overseas. (See Issue #13)
David Yancy Felix – David Yancy Felix is a young, outspoken member of parliament and a rising star within the Yaharzan opposition. During the presidential primary election, he narrowly lost to General Theodore Thurber, but his performance in the contest impressed many observers. (See Issue #13)
Mr. Yon Windels – Yon Windels is the longtime owner of the Daily Review-Express. Windels was a dissident during the country’s dictatorship. He is now a wealthy investor and expat, living in London. Because he lives overseas, the Krebtz regime is attempting to invalidate his ownership of the newspaper.
Andrew Andrewson – Originally introduced as a newspaper columnist at the National City Bulletin, Andrew Andrewson eventually becomes a sycophantic on-air personality featured on Enterprise News TV after its parent company was taken over by friends of the Krebtz regime. Andrewson is handsome and enthusiastically supports the president, always distorting his coverage to either embellish or fabricate Krebtz’s accomplishments.
Nathan Darms – Nathan Darms is a reporter at the Daily Review-Express.
Jack – Jack is a reporter at the Daily Review-Express. He is a reference to the real-life creator of the Press Guardian, Jack Binder.
Abner – Abner is an editor at the Daily Review-Express. He is a reference to the editor of the Press Guardian, Abner Sundell.
Mort – Mort is a reporter at the Daily Review-Express. He is a reference to the original comic book artist behind the Press Guardian, Mort Meskin.
Margaret – Margaret is an editor at the Daily Review-Express. She is a reference to the journalist, Margaret Sullivan. Sullivan’s book, Ghosting the News: Local Journalism and the Crisis of American Democracy, helped inspire and inform the story.
Professor Gilbert Natatut – Professor Gilbert Natatut is a nationalist academic and a prominent member of the New National Dream who was featured in an overly flattering biographical docu-series from Enterprise News about President Krebtz.
Arnold Ryanyoth – Arynold Ryanyoth is a retired historian and a member of the New National Dream who was featured in an overly flattering biographical docu-series from Enterprise News about President Krebtz.
Jeremiah Yonla - Jeremiah Yonla is an acclaimed Yaharzan poet and political dissident. He is the author of the biography, I Dream of Yaharza, among other works.
George Tyrut - George Tyrut is the Chief Political Analyst on News Prime TV. (See Issue #10)
Thomas Tomsky – Thomas Tomsky is a reporter at the Rural Times-Tribune in Yabarma province.
Emmanuel Mitter - Emmanuel Mitter is the incumbent mayor of the country's capital, Amtilica. He is a member of the opposition coalition and a member of the Social Democratic Party of Yaharza. He recently won re-election in a tight and contentious race. (See Issue #10)
Douglas Yov - Douglas Yov is a member of the New National Dream. He recently lost a contentious mayoral election for the country's capital city, Amtilica. (See Issue #10)
Alistair Palmgré – Alistair Palmgré is a member of parliament and a leading figure within the New National Dream who was implicated in a massive corruption scandal exposed by the Daily Review-Express. (See Issue #12)