Sgt. Rock #378

I've been holding on to this issue for quite some time in hopes to finally read it during Christmas in July. Yet, I kept forgetting about it. WELL, NOT THIS YEAR, FOLKS!

The title story is the only tale that is 'seasonal'. But it's a Joe Kubert classic. 

Sgt. Rock and Easy Company are so far into Enemy territory that it takes forever for the mail to arrive. When it finally catches up to the men, it's mid-July and yet their Christmas cards and presents have just now hit their hands. One of the soldiers, Jackie, has just become a father. Since he can't be home to play Santa to his newborn baby girl, Jackie's wife sends him a Santa suit and a bunch of toys in hopes he can play Father Christmas for some needy children on the front lines. Thus, for a bunch of French orphans, it truly is a Christmas in July to remember. 

Other stories are by Kubert's son Andy, members of the Joe Kubert School of Art and Robert Kanigher. These war tales involve a French child who finds a discarded Nazi helmet, a young American G.I. who fights bravely for his 'gal' back home and a set of 'fact sheets' about the war culture of a primitive tribal culture in South America, everything you need to know as World War II submarine warfare conducted by the Americans, and the various ways mine fields have been disarmed. 

My favorite story of course was the first one. The scene where Jackie is dressed as Santa and he's hesitant to go down the chimney, least he gets stuck was hilarious. Especially, when some Krauts show up with guns blazing and Jackie jumps down the chute head first- without thinking! Just brilliant stuff from Joe Kubert. The second story had that tragic 'war is hell' twist as did the third tale. But I think with a small child being the ironic victim, it's shocking finale was more gut wrenching.

I knew before I bought this book that there was only 1 Christmas story. Honestly, did one expect Joe Kubert and his disciples to come up with an entire set of warm weather Christmas-themed war stories? This book was published in 1983. Was Christmas in July even a thing back then? It's not the Hallmark Channel summertime movie marathon maker that the event has become today. That's for sure.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.