World Famous Comics: The Mammoth Book of Best War Comics
The Mammoth Book of Best War Comics
From: Running Press Publisher: Running Press Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Running Press Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 512 Publication Date: August 23, 2007
A unique, comprehensive collection of gripping stories set in twentieth century battlegrounds selected from classic magazines such as Blazing Combat and Commando.
The Black and White Comix Though I certainly approve of this type of series generally, (Far, far better than not at all) I'm a little perplexed with the black and white format only. Couldn't color versions be offered for those of us who would be willing to pay more? I enjoyed the Frankenstein Monster, Dick Briefer was a genius, but I sorely missed the color. I feel I would be disappointed as well in the Mammoth Book of Best War Comics for the same reason, though apparently it does offer some color. Keep up the good work!
Missing In Action As it is all a matter of Opinion, some of us will not agree with the Title of this Book as the End All / Do All Collection of The Greatest War Comics in the History of the Universe.
By not including ANYTHING from the DC or Marvel, War Machines, this Book has excluded: Sgt. Rock, Nick Fury, Enemy Ace and The Haunted Tank. Where are the EC Titles of the 1950's ? Not a mention of Joe Kubert, who without doubt is the Greatest Artist of Wartime Comics? Even if Greg Irons is included here, this is not even fair to him as he has Greater War Time Stories than the one that the Editors decided to use!
But, to be fair about it, One of the Best War Tales of Modern Times IS included in this Collection. "I Saw It", is a Modern Masterpiece, that belongs in any Best War Comics Collection. Will Eisner has a Superb Autobiographical Story here, the Fantastic; "Last Day In Vietnam". The First Episode of: "Charley's War" {A Personal Favorite of mine} is in this Book, and it does belong here.
Again, with the Omission of the DC and Marvel Comics, this is a Mis-Leading Title. There are some Fine War Comics included herein, and at 512 Pages, this is a Good Value for your Dollar. This is a Good Collection that could have been so much better! THREE STARS !!!
Great quality, great price You really should not call a collection of war stories "best" if you have nothing from Marvel, DC or, especially, EC. That aside, the stories reprinted here range from excellent to "what-were-they-thinking?", although the latter are few and far between. The book includes stories by Will Eisner and Alex Toth, two comics greats, as well as Keiji Nakazawa's classic "I Saw It". They range in tone from virulently anti-war to pretty gung-ho, with most shades in between represented. The big surprise for me was the color section reprinting stories from Dell comics. The art by Sam Glanzman is predictably first rate, but I was surprised how good the stories were. Not every story in this book will appeal to every reader but there is so much here, you'll get your money's worth and then some, even if, like me, you are not particularly a fan of war comics.
The title can be misleading. I assumed, based on the title and front cover, that this was going to be selections from the WWII comic books of the '60's like "St. Rock" and others. Basically this is a collection of cartoon essays all focusing on the horrors of war from WWI through the Gulf War including the Falklands conflict. (I wasn't out to glorify war, mind you, just indulge in a little boyhood nostalgia.) A better title would be "Best ANTI-War Comics."
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Trevor
