Traditionally DC has blended war comics with their always-expanding universe. With DC’s NEW 52, Men of War served to fill this niche, but due to poor sales it was subsequently canceled. As its replacement, G.I. Combat is purposed to blend modern day war scenarios with the fantasy presented in comic books—in this case an amalgamation of dinosaurs and traditional warfare.
G.I. Combat opens with a soldier conversing with his wife/girlfriend and newborn via satellite, while his friend lightheartedly ribs him. The next scene depicts a debriefing and then the crew takes to the skies to find out why a section of North Korea has suddenly gone ‘silent.’ Not more than a couple of panels later the reason becomes hopelessly apparent as a Pterodactyl attacks the helicopter and lightning repeatedly crackles alongside the air squadron. An air squirmish commences, the prehistoric creatures pick off several soldiers, and eventually several of the helicopters collapse into the dead zone that the soldiers came to explore. Not more than a stone throws away the survivors of the crash come into a storm addled clearing to witness the Koreans battling dinosaurs.
Overall, the issue is short, J.T. Krul’s writing is mediocre and cliché at best, and the art was decent--but definitely short of spectacular. I was already hesitant diving into a Krul penned comic, and after reading G.I. Combat my suspicions were wholly realized.
However, much like the Justice League, G.I. Combatfeatures a short add-on comic at the end of the issue titled,Unknown Soldier. Unlike G.I. Combat, Justin Gray andJimmy Palmiotti, penciled by Dan Panosian, write Unknown Soldier. I was very much impressed with Unknown Soldier; it tells the tale of a bandage wrapped soldier being interviewed about his heroics, and essentially ‘origin story.’ The narration is tight, and the artwork was gritty and war torn, which is exactly how I picture the artwork of a war comic.
G.I. Combat receives a three-out-of-five stars and Unknown Soldier a four-out-of-five—hopefully DC will continue on withUnknown Soldier and bump J.T. Krul from G.I. Combat post-haste.
WATCH The NEW 52: G.I. Combat #1 FULL MOVIE ONLINE STREAMING
Post a Comment