War is hell, this comic isn’t.
My issue one review of the comic was filled with tentative remarks and concerns regarding Garth Ennis’ writing and where it could potentially go. I’m glad to admit (at least for now) that my apprehensions were unfounded and I’m excited for what can come next.
The first issue ended with the mysterious half narrator revealing some information that seemed impossible to know and as this opened up, the answer for how this character knew this information was given but only subtlety and was cleverly moved away from. This still allowed the reader to be intrigued by who this person could be and what they could possibly want from this interview with Franks old platoon. As the story progressed it detailed more on what was happening with Frank and his command as it dealt with waves of incoming Vietcong. This was handled in a way that I thought was fitting for the brutality of the actual war itself, uncensored and unrelenting with an honesty that I feel is deserved with content that this comic covers. Intermingled through the war strategy and sometimes intense violence was a side story that concerned the other side of the war, which lead to an interesting juxtaposition between the two sides of the war and how they operate. The Vietnamese storyline teases the main elite Vietcong and her impending conflict with Frank and his platoon. This is done by setting up how dangerous she could actually be and what the personal drive is while making her still seem like a human you could sympathise with. The pacing overall was handled perfectly with dialogue and action handed out in equals at the right time.
The art itself hasn’t changed in style or quality since the last issue and I don’t think that could ever be a bad thing when it comes to Parlovs’ drawing. I can only really now see punisher in his interesting art style and anything else seems unnatural and I couldn’t be upset about this if I tried. It suits the era, it suits the type of violence without being overbearing and just had stylisation that I can’t ignore and resultingly love.
The themes that this comic and storyline seem to touch on are done with a deft hand and even though I was concerned when I saw his name, I believe Garth Ennis is doing a fantastic job at being respectful but honest in a way that he needs to be. This comic is one of my favourites to pick up and I’m very much looking forward to seeing where this goes.