DMZ: “Free States Rising” & “The Five Nations of New York” Vols. 11 & 12 (Vertigo)

Finally, the end of the series. Ever since I picked up the first book in Brian Wood’s DMZ, I’ve been hooked, eagerly trying to get hold of the next book, and the next. Wood and Burchielli bring the series to a superb, satisfying and emotional close, doing the long series justice. I was sad to have the series end, but I think the team chose to end it at the right point. Some parts of the story could, maybe, have been expanded on or fleshed out, but I think the fact that the story has ended properly, without spin-offs and extra issues, allows it to maintain a considerable impact. It’s a serious, thought-provoking piece of work. DMZ is a must-read for anyone with an interest in politics, media and modern warfare.

DMZ: “M.I.A.” & “Collective Punishment” Vols. 9 & 10 (Vertigo)

Nearing the end, political and social tension in the DMZ is once again on the rise

It’s been great to get back into DMZ after a couple months away from it. As I’ve come to expect, these two books continue Matty Roth’s story in Manhattan very strongly. That Wood has been able to maintain the high standard of this story for so long is quite impressive. I’m really looking forward to reading the final two books in the weeks to come (review sometime in September). I have said it before, and I remain committed to my comments about this being one of the best comic series I’ve ever read. I can’t recommend this highly enough.

DMZ: “War Powers” & “Hearts & Minds” Vols. 7 & 8 (Vertigo)

The DMZ sees the first, difficult, tentative steps towards self-government

I’m afraid this was one of my “lost reviews” that got caught in the great Computer Eaten By Virus Debacle of June 2012… Thankfully, I took quite a few notes while reading these two books, and managed to recover those (if not the review I’d already drafted). Needless to say, they continue the story in fine form. So here are some quick thoughts on “War Powers” and “Hearts and Minds”.

DMZ: “The Hidden War” & “Blood in the Game” - Vols. 5 & 6 (Vertigo)

Two more excellent additions to Wood’s essential series

These two volumes in DMZ, fast-becoming my favourite series, add yet more detail and flavour to this Manhattan, its denizens, culture and politics. The second book also suggests that big things are in the works for the DMZ, and Matty and Co’s lives are never going to be the same. Absolutely superb.

“DMZ: Public Works & Friendly Fire” - Vols. 3 & 4 (Vertigo)

Terrorists and shell-shocked soldiers in the DMZ – this series just keeps getting better

Writer: Brian Wood | Artist: Riccardo Burchielli, Nathan Fox, Viktor Kalvachev & Kristian Donaldson | Colours: Jeremy Cox | Intro: Cory Doctorow (#3) & John G. Ford (#4)

As I’m now starting to make some progress into the series, in an attempt to avoid unnecessary spoilers right off the bat, I thought I’d start grouping my DMZ reviews into two-book-per-review. One thing is clear, though: each of these books is fantastic, and the series continues to be engrossing, nuanced and thought-provoking by equal measures. Still a must-read.

“DMZ Vol.2: Body of a Journalist” (Vertigo)

Writer: Brian Wood | Artist: Riccardo Burchielli | Colours: Jeremy Cox

Roth’s star power lands the break of a lifetime: an interview with the infamous leaders of the Free Armies.

In the second volume of DMZ, Wood and Co. have created yet another superb graphic novel. A little bit of time has passed, but Matty is still working and living in Manhattan, and has managed to make a life and a name for himself among the population of the DMZ.

The more I read of this series, the more I love it, and the more I am convinced that everyone with an interest in graphic novels, politics, and excellent story-telling has to read it: it’s intelligent, thought-provoking, visually interesting, and engaging throughout.

“DMZ Vol.1: On The Ground” (Vertigo)

The Ultimate Journalist Embed: New York City…

Writer: Brian Wood | Artist: Riccardo Burchielli

In the near future, America’s worst nightmare has come true. With military adventurism overseas bogging down the Army and National Guard, the U.S. government mistakenly neglects the very real threat of anti-establishment militias scattered across the 50 states.

Like a sleeping giant, Middle America rises up and violently pushes its way to the shining seas, coming to a standstill at the line in the sand — Manhattan or, as the world now knows it, the DMZ.

Matty Roth, a naïve young man and aspiring photojournalist, lands a dream gig following a veteran war journalist into the heart of the DMZ. Things soon go terribly wrong, and Matty finds himself lost and alone in a world he’s only seen on television. There, he is faced with a choice: try to find a way off the island, or make his career with an assignment most journalists would kill for. But can he survive in a war zone long enough to report the truth?

DMZ Volume 1 exceeded all my expectations. I can’t quite remember what made me pick it up in the first place, but I’m very glad that I did. DMZ paints a bleak, fascinating picture of a fractured America, and one man’s attempts to understand the wreckage.