Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion HC
Although the war-comics genre essentially died after Vietnam, DC has periodically revived iconic World War II hero, Sgt. Rock. Most of those efforts were spearheaded by Rock’s originator, Joe Kubert, but the latest is written and drawn by Tucci, best known for his indy comic featuring modern-day samurai Shi. Here he superimposes Rock and the soldiers of Easy Company on the real-life story of the “Lost Battalion,” which was pinned down by German forces in France’s Vosges Mountains before being rescued at great cost by a unit of Nisei (Japanese-American) soldiers. The text-heavy story, narrated by a military cartoonist inspired equally by Bill Mauldin and journalist Ernie Pyle, is smothered under the weight of Tucci’s extensive research and earnest desire to give the historical heroes their due. His delicate illustration style and pastel palette are ill-suited to the violence of combat, especially compared to the dynamic verve of Kubert. Still, the battalion’s tale is inherently gripping and inspirational, and Tucci’s retelling of its ordeal will likely be an eye-opener for today’s readers. --Gordon Flagg