Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Above the Trenches

The Eagles, Lions, Chickens, Beavers, Bunnies and Bears are back! Nathan Hale, both the cartoonist and American patriot return to Europe during the early days of the first World War to examine the war front not from the land or seas; but from the sky!

World War I saw its fair share of aces- pilots who scored a confirmed 5 kills or more! The famed Manfred von Richthofen, known amongst his fellow pilots on both sides of the war as the Red Baron, had a record 80 victories in the sky! The pilot in second place behind the Red Baron for confirmed kills had 75 and according to a chart in the back on this book over 60 pilots from France, Britain, Canada and Germany has at least 28 confirmed victories from the years of 1914-1919. The top ace for the United States was Eddie Rickenbacker with 26 aerial wins and he didn't even make the list!

Hale does his best to cover all sides of the battle in air. But in order to keep this historical graphic novel from covering too broad a picture of the war above the trenches, Hale tries to keep the focus on the volunteering American pilots who made up the French squadron called the LaFayette Escadrille, reverently named after another hero who has appeared in a previous volume of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. 

Next to the first World War I volume, Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood, Above the Trenches is the most violent and deadliest recollection of them all. Hale makes an effort to warn readers that alcohol flows freely and cigarettes fill the air with smoke like exhaust from a Fokker DR1. (That's a war plane- not a German cuss word.) Yet there's no trigger warnings about the numerous pilots and their sighters and gunmen who die in horrific ways. Maybe this is just proof that our society is desensitized to violence but whoa unto us if we see an early 1900s Frenchman sipping wine while taking a drag...

Loved this book. Honestly, I didn't want it to end and I feel that considering how much time was spent on the formation of the LaFayette Escadrille compared to how quickly things wrapped up, this book should have been broken up into 2 parts. I guess technically, you could say this volume was part two. But really, we've yet to see America's official entrance into the Great War. Maybe the two Nathan Hale's have plans for a trilogy? I'd be okay with that.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Petrograd (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In 1916, just as the first World War was heating up, Germany was fighting on two fronts. The fledgling English and French in the West and the disgruntled and cold Russians to the East. Alexander Protopopov meets with German dignitaries in Stockholm before returning to Russia and immediately being promoted to the role of Minister of Interior. Czar Nicolas is away from the royal Palace in Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg but a few years away from being renamed Stalingrad), disastrously supervising the Russian army against Imperial German forces. In his stead is wife Alexandra who acts as the de facto ruler of Russia. 

Alexandra has a special advisor, the mysterious monk Rasputin. Having healed son Alexei of life threatening maladies, Alexandra has given the religious leader carte blanche to conduct affairs both professionally and personally; to equal levels of depravity. The nation is in the midst of tremendous upheaval as Russians displaced from the fighting have swarmed into the larger cities, making it impossible to feed, house and cloth these refugees in the light of the coming frigid Winter. 

The Communist party is secretly working towards overthrowing the royal family and are effectively using the crisis in Petrograd to gain public support. Though the Russian secret police have waged war against the uprising, they're losing ground faster than they can make it up.

So what does all this have to do with the promotion of Protopopov? Alexandra has been a vocal opponent to the war. Members of the British intelligence community operating in Petrograd believe that Protopopov's new role after the secret meeting with the Germans means that Russia has struck a deal with Germany and will soon pull out of the war. Should this happen, Germany no longer has to divide its forces and can focus their full might against the British and French alliance. 

Should this occur, Germany, who's already looking like the victor will most surely win the war. For the British, a Russian/German peace is unacceptable. The head of the British intelligence bureau hopes to pursue the Russian secret police designed to combat political terrorism, the Okhrana, of the meeting in Stockholm and overthrow Protopopov. However, the Okhrana believes that the proposed peace is all rumor and refuses to act on the tip further.

Here's where historic fact turns into historical fiction. Writer Philip Gelatt proposes that after the secret police rebuffed British intelligence, a pair of agents enacted a clandestine plan B. Working with jaded members of the Russian royal family, Gelatt continues this graphic novel with the conspiracy theory that the British government was somehow behind the assassination of Rasputin. If Protopopov isn't behind Russia's plan to cease hostilities on the Eastern Front, then it's the depraved Mad Monk who's giving Alexandra motivation to a peace with Germany.

Other than the influence of special agent Cleary being involved in the plotting and execution of the plot against Rasputin, this story is fairly accurate. Or is it completely accurate???

Ironically, after Rasputin is found murdered, Czar Nicolas pulls a number of his troops off the battle lines and sends them to Petrograd to reinforce the Okhrana who are searching desperately for the culprits. There had already been dissension in the ranks of the Russian army, unhappy with how the Czar was making a mess of things, so when they were greeted with open arms by the Communists who saw the death of Rasputin as an opportunity to revolution, the soldiers joined the cause of Revolution! It's by winning over the Russian army that causes the Romanov family to flee the palace and ultimately assassinated. So ultimately, if the British were behind the plot, their 'preventative actions ' actually caused Russia to exit the war!

It's interesting to ponder what might have happened if everyone left well enough alone and let Rasputin live. Would Russia have remained in the war? Would the United States have remained out of the conflict having to not save England and France because of the revolution in Russia? Would the Czar and his family have survived? Without the troops, would the Okhrana have been able to quash the Communists, who at this point were acting in secret and without the important support of the Russian military? 

This 2011 graphic novel is definitely a compelling read crafted in that very popular 'alternative history' genre- only in comic book form! It makes you think in more ways than one. While there's no argument who Rasputin is in this book, artist Tyler Crook renders several characters who frankly look the same. With not very good introductions to those characters, it takes a while to figure out who is who and that sort of recognition is important in a work about secret agents and double agents working all sides in a major conspiracy.

Petrograd was first published in 2011 in hardback. This paperback edition was published in 2023 and features both an all-new and extremely important afterward full of background information by historian David R. Stone.

Completing this review completes Task #31 (Set in a State or Country You've Never Visited) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! #5 (True War Stories)

In 1965, Gold Key Comics released a book with the cover title of Ripley's Believe It or Not: True Wars Stories. It has one of those World War I planes on the cover and looks great. That is not this book. For some reason, when this comic was released in 1967, it was done as as part of another series based on the amazing world of explorer and champion of the macabre, Robert Ripley- Ripley's Believe It or Not: True Ghost Stories. This all very well may have to do with the limited number of titles the United State Postal Service aloud at the time for comics publishers in regards to first class postage.Regardless of what the issue is, there's a glowing oversight here: this book doesn't have any ghosts in it!

The opening story is set in the waning days of World War II. It tells of a Japanese commander who plans a massive attack on allied forces, even though the Emperor of Japan has declared the country's unconditional surrender. This story about honor and anger ends with that trademark Ripley's twist. But there's no spooks here. 

Stories set during the two World Wars fill the rest of this book. They all contain those killer twist endings. But again, there are no ghosts in this book.

All of the stories in the book are supposedly based on real stories. I would have liked something that expounded on these facts, like a behind the scenes letter from the editor. One requirement for comics to meet first class mailing was to include a prose story of at least 1 page in the contents. This book fills that requirement with 'The General Was a Spy'. Surely, a page or two digging deep into the facts behind all of these war stories would have counted as that prose requirement.

Though credits still weren't a common occurrence in comics yet, experts have determined that Sal Trapani, Andre LeBlanc and Joe Certa were the artists of these stories. Oddly enough, the artwork looked consistent throughout, as done by just one hand. That's the most Believe It or Not thing about this book.

A good collection of strange events in the history of warfare. Whether these were 100% factual or just based on anecdote is something I feel is missing from this book. But I enjoyed the read and I thought the artwork was amazing. But for the life of me, I just don't understand why this book is labelled and categorized as it is.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Showcase Presents Enemy Ace, Vol. 1 (2022 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Challenge)

 In 1965, DC Comics decided to turn the tables on their plethora of war stories when they debuted the Enemy Ace in the February issue of Our Army At War. Written and created by Robert Kanigher (The Losers), the series was told from the point of view of the enemy! While DC had done the occasional story from the perspective of an enemy combatant, there hadn't been a series which showed had the other side fought. 

Set in World War I, the main character is Baron Hans Von Hammer. Known as the 'Hammer of Hell', Von Hammer is a character going through many changes throughout the Great War. He's royalty. Thus his way of war is almost chivalric with what many young soldiers consider an outdated code of honor. Enemy Ace refuses to shoot armed opponents. His underlings have no qualms firing upon their sworn enemies no matter what. 

The baron's military title is archaic as well. With over 50 confirmed kills, Von Hammer rises up to become the rittmeister of his squadron. The term rittmeister is German for calvary master despite the fact that the horse he rides is an airplane.

The Fokker Dr. I flown by the Enemy Ace is as much as a character in this series as the Baron himself. In many issues, the plane has a face painted on the front propeller. Unfortunately, the visage is less terrifying and more Thomas The Tank Engine. But as it's motor hums, Von Hammer swears he can hear the plane accusingly taunting him with the words 'Killer...murderer...killer!'

Von Hammer's only friend is a black wolf that roams in the nearby Black Forest. While waiting for repairs to the Fokker, the Enemy Ace takes to the wilderness to keep his visual accuities sharp. As he enters the woods, he is always meet by the wolf and the two share a quiet bond as natural born killers during their hunt.

The original artist for Enemy Ace was Joe Kubert (Sgt. Rock). Kubert's ability to draw weapons of war with such accuracy is reason enough of place him in the comic book hall of fame. Together with Kanigher, Kubert brought forth adventures of Enemy Ace that were gritty, adventurous and often tragic. It will be a very long time after I get over the death of poor Schatzie! But despite the heartache, many of Enemy Ace's foes were very much the product of superhero comics.

Von Hammer's first main foe was a hooded French pilot known as The Hangman. A British decent of King Arthur's court, some porcine masked fighters and an American cowboy are just some of the colorful characters that will challenge the Enemy Ace in the skies above France's No Man's Land. 

This 500 plus page volume contains every Pre-CRISIS main appearance of Enemy Ace (with exception of his appearances in Justice League of America as a part of the Five Warriors From Forever.) Kanigher wrote all of the stories with Neal Adams (Strange Adventures), Howard Chaykin (American Flagg) and John Severin (Semper Fi) taking on the penciler role after Joe Kubert stepped aside. A murder mystery starring the Dark Knight in the pages of Detective Comics caps the action and adventure. 

You would think that a series about a pilot in the skies of World War I would get old. It did get predictable with every story following a set formula. Every story has Baron Von Hammer retreating to the woods during repairs to visit his lupine friend and ponder the horrors of war before going back into battle to smite the enemy flyer of the day. Yet despite the repetitive nature of the plot, Robert Kanigher and his artist teammate manage to pump out dozens of thrilling war stories that I couldn't get enough of. 

War is Hell and the sky is the killer of us all. But this volume was shear delight!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #20 of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 'Over 500 pages long.'

Laugh #5

A lot of holiday inspired chuckles fill this comic. But first, there's a story starring the repertoire of Archie Players. Their tale is a World War I flying ace epic. It was a good yarn. But I can't understand why Archie Comics didn't keep with the overall Christmas theme and do a parody of a holiday feature instead? And if you had to do a WWI story, why couldn't it have been about the famous Christmas Truce of 1914.

The holiday related stories have Archie and his dad competing for the title of Best Decorated house in their neighborhood. Josie and the Pussycats visit NYC during New Years. Unfortunately, their costumes didn't arrive with them. Lastly, Sabrina's aunts show the teenage witch how they secretly help Santa during his yearly run.

The Sabrina story was the best. It was in a word- magical! 

A good issue. Not 100% Christmas. But at least there was enough holiday material to appease.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Mata Hari #1

The Mata Hari.

She might not have been the most successful spy during World War I. She was however the most notorious. And she was in reality nothing like she appeared.

The five-issue miniseries by Dark Horse, Mata Hari seeks to blend the truth with the myth and the legend of the exotic dancer turned double agent for both the German and French intelligence communities. The world knew her as a mysterious object of sexuality and lust from the Orient of India, Malaysia, and or one of numerous far off Polynesian ports of call that she would claim to hail from. In reality, she was a Dutch aristocrat named Margretha Zeele (later marrying and taking the name MacLeod) who's family went from rags to riches.

The task of separating the fact from fiction rests with Emma Beeby. The Survival Geeks writer does this by writing the story from both Mata Hari and MacLeod's point of view. In the very first panel, the main character is portrayed as a naked prisoner writing her memoirs. It appears that the reader is going to get the real story after nearly a century of legend. However, the story of Mata Hari jumps from time period to time period quite often. Her life is  never truly in order and possibly never true at all. The entire world was the daring spy's stage and she often played her audience for fools. 

Issue #1 wasn't a bad read and it wasn't difficult. I actually don't mind the time jumps as I think that the historical figure of Mata Hari is really two people anyway. As a child she was the little princess or Margretha MacLeod, a pampered child who never had to want for anything. But once her dreamworld of wealth came crashing down, I believe that the young woman left that persona behind in order to forge a new one of wealth, beauty, and desire. Hence, Mata Hari was born. But as with any time you create a new character, it takes a while to form a coherent backstory and that's why nobody truly knows the facts about Mata Hari.

There is a running scene throughout this issue as Mata Hari offers herself to the Hindu god Shiva. I'm not sure where Emma Beeby is going with this part of the story. Is she signifying  Mata Hari's willingness to make deals with the powers that be to enact her own desires of revenge and fame? Or is this just another facet of the myth of Mata Hari? We have 4 more issues in which to find out...

This series promises to be as mysterious and alluring as the real MacLeod herself. On the cover, Deep State's Ariela Kristantina pencils Mata Hari in her iconic temptress costume. Her right hand beckoning a hapless mark for a night of passion and information. But if you notice her left hand. it clasps a dagger, ready to eliminate any loose ends once she gets what she wants. 

It's a lustful man's folly and Mata Hari knows how to manipulate it to her own benefit.

Mata Hari promises to be a historical thriller full of death, espionage, and sex. Lots and lots of sex. One thing for sure, this book was quite titillating both figuratively and literally. This first issue was heavy on backstory with not much in terms of cloak and dagger. I am sure that's coming in the next issue. Or as Mata Hari would call it- the second act!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10. 

Red Skull- Incarnate

   

 Examining the origin of Johann Schmidt: the Red Skull. Being a huge Captain Captain America fan, when I came across this, I had to own it. I can't stand the Red Skull... don't get my wrong he's the perfect foil to the Sentinel of Liberty but I hate the Red Skull and everything he stands for. Still, I had to read it!

     From the economic crisis of World War I Germany up through the rise of the Nazi party and the beginning's of the Holocaust all the way to Hitler wrangling total control of Germany, Schmidt is there somewhere on the edge of history. He's just bidding his time until he can become a major power player in Nazi Germany and nobody will get in the way on his path to glory. Not friends, allies, and especially not those who wrong him.

     With riots, brutal beatings, racism, and terror, this scariest thing about this collected miniseries from 2012 is how much it reminds me of our world today. 

      I had a little bit of trouble with how innocent Schmidt becomes. But now that I've had some time to process this story, I think writer Greg Pak (World War Hulk) did the right thing not making the pre-Red Skull lad entirely evil. Having someone who at first had good intentions turn his back on his beliefs basically signifies that Schmidt sold his soul for power. Another grim aspect of this powerful book that resonates through the headlines of today just as much as it did 70 years ago.

     With an afterword that documents the historical events that pepper this miniseries, this is something that as dark and gritty as it is, should not be missed.
     
    Worth Consuming

     Rating: 9 out of 10 stars. 
     

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood (Family Comic Friday)

 

  Folks, I promise, this is the last Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales that I will be reviewing for a while. But I saved the best for last! Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood recounts the very complicated history of World War I.

   I have to say, it took a history major in college like myself having to read a child's graphic novel to finally understand what was behind the Great War! And I am not the only one who doesn't know why it started. (Why even Rachel and Pheobe on FRIENDS once agreed that Mexico were the baddies in the War to End All Wars!)

    Yes, everyone to some degree can say that the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria was the lynchpin that set the whole thing off. But why was that guy's death was so gosh darn important to start the biggest war in world history up that that point? Author Nathan Hale and his cartoon counterpart, the American patriot Nathan Hale cleared that up for me and what a way did he do it!

   In a visual medium like a graphic novel, it's nearly impossible to draft such a story for young readers to be able to understand. Some battles of World War I had armies from dozens of nations fighting at the same time, wearing the same looking uniforms. In able to help the reader keep these nation's straight, Hale adopted the use of an animal for each party. For example, the British were represented by bulldogs while the Germans were falcons or hawks, a national symbol for both. It was pretty clever and I applaud Hale for doing it.

   Even though Hale used funny animals to tell this tale, he didn't make light of the situation. In fact, he even goes so far as to have the narrator of the story point out that this is such a serious and important moment in world history, that it wouldn't be prudent to use such devices. But, the often confused Executioner character in this series points out the importance in keeping each army noticeable with using a symbol of national pride to keep each party from being confused with another. It's a rather brilliant idea.

    I love this series. I learn so very much and I am rather thoroughly entertaining by this series. Getting to read 3 books in this series in a row has been a fun little binge read. But I too, like the Executioner character must be reminded that the events in these books are about serious, oft too tragic events. But there's nothing wrong with making learning fun again.

    I've been taking an online class on teaching methods and this week we've been learning about critical thinking and ways to incorporate elements that with allow a student to be able to expand their thought processes. This book, though a little cartoony and a tiny bit silly, is an excellent tool that will help readers of all ages think about the major players of the first world war, why it started, and the horrors of war itself. In the back of each of the book is a list of suggested further reads (that are also age appropriate!) If your child has any interest in further learning about any of the subjects in covered in the Hazardous Tales, be sure to check those other books out!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Harlem Hellfighters by Max Brooks

  The Harlem Hellfighters by Max Brooks (World War Z) is perhaps the most graphic portrayal of the horrors of World War I since the 1930 theatrical release of 'All Quiet on the Western Front.' Added to the bloodshed and rank insanity of trench warfare, Hellfighters also exposes the bigotry and prejudice placed on the all-black unit.

    The 369th Regiment fought more man hours under fire than any unit during the Great War. Amongst their members was the first African American (and first American period) to win the French Croix de Guerre, the highest military honor the French government can bestow any soldier. By the end of the war, the Hellfighters would also contain the most recipients of the prestigious award than any other unit.

   On the book's cover, filmmaker Spike Lee praises Brooks' tireless work to bring the Hellfighters' story to some sort of a visual medium. (Brooks has spent over 8 years trying to get this story to film before finally turning it into a graphic novel.) I normally don't agree with much the 'Do the Right Thing' director has to say. But this is one time that I am concur 100%.

  The men who made up the Harlem Hellfighters volunteered to make the world safe for democracy. It was their choice and yet our nation rejected them. During training in South Carolina, members were lynched and beaten. The unit was shipped overseas in a rusty tin can that had to be towed back to base twice. Then when the men started to prove themselves on the field of battle, they were placed in the most dangerous missions because of their skill  but because very own field commander, General Black Jack Pershing was fearful how the populace would react to colored war vets being given a hero's welcome.

    This book was powerful stuff and it was gory. From the beatings in the South to the entrail shredding power of the German artillery shells called 'Jack Johnson' this book pulls no punches. However, though I think the struggles and might of the Hellfighters should be taught in schools, this book is not for those under 13. This graphic novel was at times well, um...graphic.

     A masterful retelling of a forgotten war. It's an instant classic that I envision will one day finally achieve Max Brooks' goal of hitting the silver screen. I just hope they continue to honor the awesome artwork of Canaan White and possibly issue this book as an animated feature.

Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars
 

Aces High #1

   In an attempt to placate critics, brought forth by the witchhunt of Dr. Frederic Wertham, EC Comics canceled many of it's most controversial (but ultimately popular)  titles. In their stead were several more 'family friendly' titles that still contained the shock ending that was EC's signature. This approach was called EC's NEW DIRECTION- and it was a colossal failure.

    One such title was called 'Aces High.' It was a war comic devoted to the aerial maneuvers of World War I. While stories about the bi-planes of the War to End All Wars would've made for some interesting additions to EC's previous war titles such as 'Two-Fisted Tales' or 'Frontline Combat' t to have an entire 48-page comic devoted to Sopwith Camels and Spitfires while trying to shock the reader with a twist ending just didn't work on paper.  The title only lasting 5-issues was such proof of the formula not working. By issue 3, the publisher allowed for the title to also include stories about the infantrymen and land wars of WWI but it still couldn't save the title from an early extinction.

    This issue featured 4 stories. The first tale is called 'The Way it Was.' With the art by George Evans, it features a grandfatherly type character giving an overview of the war to a young boy. It's actually a clever way to start the series.

   The next story is a Wally Wood work titled 'The Outsider' and it involves a newcomer to a fighter squadron and the prejudice he occurs as he tries to fit into the unit. Only once he's baptized by fire is he finally considered one of the guys. It's a powerful tale.

   The third adventure was my favorite. 'The Mascot' involves a puppy that can tell when one of the pilot's of a squad isn't going to make it back from their mission. Call it a sixth sense but when the mascot refuses to acknowledge the demise of a pilot listed as Missing In Action, his buddies conduct a hi-flying rescue mission that would've made a great addition to Speilberg's short-lived 80's TV series 'Amazing Stories.'

   Lastly, we meet 'The New C.O.' He's a take no prisoners type and he's got a tough mission ahead of him. His new assignment is known as a bunch of goof-offs and now Uncle Sam expects him to make them into aerial killing machines. Featuring art by the great Jack Davis, it's a poignant story about the horrors of war- not just physical but the psychological effects as well.

    Along with these four EC gems was a short story called 'The Stork With Talons.' In was a jumbled mess but it was necessary for EC to include in this book in  order to qualify this title as first-class mail. Lastly, this reprint included something that wasn't in the original publication. It's the first part of an interview with artist George Evans. It included some very interesting inside info about EC during the 1950s. I hate that I don't have issue #2 in order to read the rest of this interview, but I have something to look forward to someday.

      While this isn't my ideal EC title, it was an enjoyable read. The classic art was worth the cover price alone. But even with a weak premise, the stories themselves were quite good. Plus, these 'New Direction' titles are important parts of comic book history and they show the sad progression of EC's ultimate demise.

Darn you, Dr. Wertham!!!

Worth Consuming

  Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

   

Dogs of War

I must admit, I broke one of my most cardinal reading rules with this book! I looked ahead! Spoilers! (And with that, be warned as my spoiling will probably spoil this book if you wanted to read it!)

But I did it with a very good reason. In this book there are heroic tales about 3 dogs used by the Brits and US Armies to aid for the war effort. The first story takes place in the trenches of the Western Front (WWI) where a young medic and his rescue dog wind up with an Irish unit after a massive shelling attack. I just knew the dog was going to die in the end and there was no way I was going to read this book if I got attached to a 4-legged friend only for him or her to buy it Old Yeller Style.

But, I finished the book, so obviously the dogs all lived, right? Well, with two of these dogs, their fate is left up in the air, but all 3 remained alive and well by stories end. So if they died tragically in combat, it’s a story for another time to be told in their future.

The other two stories involve American dog handlers. The first of those tales involves an Artic rescue team in Greenland as they provide safety and rescue for planes using the island nation as a way station before heading to Europe. I did not know that we secretly set up air strips in Greenland a good 6 months before Pearl Harbor and if the Nazis found out, it would’ve been an act of war on our parts. I also did not know that we fought Nazis on North American soil, although some consider Greenland to be part of Europe (See: A Risk board game)

The final story is told in flashbacks with a GI trying to adjust to life back home after a stint in Vietnam. PTSD, racism, and a touching story between the wounded vet and a young neighbor who’s struggling to train his new puppy makes this perhaps the most powerful of the 3 tales. But I enjoyed all three stories.

The afterword in this book gives a small history lesson on dogs and their roles in times of conflict. Events in Korea, the Gulf War, and the current war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq are briefly mentioned along with the three wars covered in this book. I would be pleasantly surprised if another volume covering the wars I mentioned early was published as a companion piece to this book. I’d very much have to read it.

The art and coloring varies. There’s a Paul Pope quality to the works with splashes of Darwyn Cooke. I really love Cooke’s art but Pope’s is hit and miss. However, it was very detailed and I enjoyed the use of color schemes as well as varying art-styles during flashbacks and scenes from a soldier’s private sketches.

Lastly, I want to talk about the rating for this book. The book itself has no rating on the front or back cover.  But I found this in the Children and Youth graphic novel shelf in New Arrivals at my local library. Amazon considers Dogs of War to be for ages 8-12. I just think 8 is too young for kids to be reading and seeing (this is a graphic novel) war and death. There isn’t any swears but at least one Nazi buys it Rambo style (Knife slit to the throat from behind) and several soldiers are gunned down violently. Yes- red ink flows from the colorist’s marker in these stories. So, I would at least advise parents and schools to possibly let only ages 10 and up read this book and with anything war/ violence/ and adult themes related, use discretion when letting youngsters read this book.

   And for adult readers like me, this book isn’t dumbed down. It’s the same quality of work I would expect from DC or Marvel’s voluminous war titles that were geared to teens and adults from the 60s onward. You too can enjoy this book and not feel like you’re reading a Disney novel!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars