It’s been all over the news, and in countless political speeches, so we know clean coal is popular. It’s in the new economic stimulus package to the tune of $2.4 billion. And its first pilot project was canceled last year after costs accelerated out of control, so we know clean coal is expensive. But what else is it, really…? After the jump, a short primer in comic form. Next: “Right now, it’s little more than a fantasy…” Next: “Clean coal aims to stem the tide of CO2…” Next: “At a pilot plant in Germany, the coal is burned, compressed and sequestered…” Next: “Critics argue even the term is hype…” Next: See the whole strip on one page.

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