Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion

DC

Written and drawn by Bill Tucci

Nov 18, 2009 Web Exclusive By Jeremy Nisen Bookmark and Share


Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion collects the six-issue mini series of the same name. Both written and drawn by Bill Tucci, it's a story about iconic DC war character, Sgt. Frank Rock of Pittsburgh, Pa., and his men in Easy Company. But it goes far beyond a typical war comic. Tucci masterfully inserts these characters (as well as a few other DC notables, like The Haunted Tank) into a little publicized, real story of WWII heroism. The 442nd Regiment, composed of Nisei—Japanese American soldiers—showed amazing courage, despite the fact that their families were interred in camps back on U.S. soil. A fictional version of the 442nd proves crucial in saving the lives of a trapped infantry battalion, the fictional version of the 141st. Just like it did in real life.

The story carries extra gravitas for the deep research Tucci performed. The dialog and situations ring realistic; the gorgeously realized art shows many of the bleak realities of war. The desperate periods of waiting are intermingled with intense, confusing, chaotic battles. Amid the bleakness and violence we meet amazing characters with depth and substance, particularly the de facto narrator: William Kilroy, a civilian journalist and cartoonist embedded with the military.

A little honesty: war comics—and, indeed, war movies, war television, etc.—are not something I enjoy. But I appreciate the masterful artwork and storytelling that went into this book; Tucci ably handles a weighty subject on all levels. Fans of war fiction and nonfiction, of history, and fans of American patriotism, even under the most horrific conditions, will definitely be big fans of The Lost Battalion. (www.dccomics.com)

Author rating: 8/10

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Average reader rating: 8/10

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Robert Young
April 20th 2010
2:23pm

to Billy Tucci;    I finally finished your book, I have to say is that his is the best book Ive ever read. When I read this type of book I tryed to put the sound effects with story so it would feel like your watching a movie. when I was reading the storys when I can ,it was like reading a journal from different soldiers.Hoped to read more like this in the future.