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| Sgt. Rock: Prophecy DC Comics Script & Art: Joe Kubert |
Fury: Peacemaker Marvel Comics Script: Garth Ennis Art: Darick Robertson & Jimmy Palmiotti |
Westerns and war stories finding their way back to the new release racks may be one of the better signs of health in the comic book industry. While by and large we’re seeing a return or rehashing of well established characters (Rock, Fury, Jonah Hex, Rawhide Kid), the simple fact that Marvel and DC feel comfortable releasing books which don’t revolve around capes and tights is a positive. In these two entries we have solid, although very different, offerings in the war genre.
Although the covers are vaguely similar, they provide hints as to each books direction. The Rock book is a throwback; we get muted, military hues and an olive drab backdrop for the logo. And what was the last comic you read with a word balloon on the cover? FURY: PEACEMAKER has a more modern sensibility about it.
Both comics intertwine real life events: The Prophecy is based on a true story about a young rabbi trying to escape Europe in hopes of bringing the Holocaust into the world view (that took place in 1939, but Rock’s version is placed in 1943, possibly meaning his young rabbi will have a different secret); FURY: PEACEMAKER takes place in Sidi Bou Zid and Kasserine Pass, Tunisia (also in 1943), sites of some very costly failures the US suffered early in the Mediterranean Theater.
The similarities more or less end there. PEACEMAKER is an origin tale, THE PROPHECY is simply a tale. Kubert’s dialog is a bit awkward in places and he seemed to be unnecessarily forcing a brief spotlight on to each member of Easy Company -- plenty of time for that in a six issue run -- but the man can still tell a story and he does a great job of depicting “war-torn”.
Hard to know where Ennis will go with this Fury run. I haven’t read his earlier FURY mini but I’ve read more than a few comments from people put off by it. This looks to be more about character evolvement – Fury moving from tough but inexperienced soldier to the leader we’re all familiar with. As such, Ennis will need to be especially clever in structuring the events and narrative because there’s not much mystery about where Fury ends up.
Of the two, THE PROPHECY is more compelling as there seems to be an actual plot and maybe because Rock isn’t a lynch pin of modern DC continuity – in other words, he hasn’t been exposed as much. But despite the limitations of the format, Ennis is generally pretty inventive so I’m willing to give PEACEMAKER an issue or two more to develop. I’ll see THE PROPHECY through to the bitter end.
I didn't read Peacemaker, but I liked Prophecy. Concerning the character moments for everyone, I'd hope that's just Kubert giving people not familiar with Easy Company a little intro. Plus, if he does that now, we could get five straight issues of hard-charging, pulse-pounding action!
Just a thought.
Posted by: CalvinPitt | February 09, 2006 at 03:07 PM
I'm kind of hoping that's the case, although from looking at the coming covers it appears each of the Easy Company troop is going to get their moment.
I really think it's going to be good - although not necessarily action-packed, thrill-a-minute.
Posted by: Kurt | February 09, 2006 at 08:13 PM