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Dog Tag #1 is written by Mark Russell and published by Mad Cave Studios. Artwork is by PJ Holden, colours by JP Jordan and letters by Buddy Beaudoin. Main cover art (left) is by PJ Holden.
Dog Tag #1 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
Dog Tag is a fictional story about a very real war. It follows the life and thoughts of Corporal Tom Fuller through the final year of World War II as his service takes him from the invasion of Normandy to the surrender of Japan.
Review
World War II is a subject that is occasionally covered in comics to varying degrees of success and nuance. Some lean into the brutality of it all, emphasising the horrors of war, whereas other comics can veer heavily towards the fantasy or sci-fi within that era’s aesthetic. Thankfully, Mark Russell and PJ Holden have opted to use the format to highlight an untold side to the conflict, and personally, I think that’s the best direction that could have gone.
From the perspective of cartoonist Tom Fuller, a very meta but purposeful approach, we see a range of personalities and stories all connected by their encounters with this one individual. As the synopsis suggests, this is a fictional story about a very real war, and the final product certainly reflects that.
The underlying thread about how the power of journalism and fake news during conflicts can throw off the enemy is handled with a great deal of maturity here, despite Tom’s cartoons being of a comedic nature. It’s fascinating to see his perspective and mood change as he’s creating these false reports and then eventually being put into the thick of it. It shows clearly the stark contrast between those giving the orders and those on the frontline in a matter of fact that is perfectly honest with its views on the differences in both.
Considering this series focuses more on the behind-the-scenes elements of war, PJ Holden, with the help of colour work from JP Jordan, does a great job keeping you engaged through the artwork despite not having any action or set pieces to fall back on, showing off their talents to their fullest potential. The art feels very reminiscent of Commando comics from the 60s, all of which were set during World War II. This is an aesthetic that isn’t over-stylised and instead embraces heavy shadows and rough detail, along with an extensive use of greens and muddy browns to emphasise the military look of that era.
Russell’s writing also highlights the morality and emotional complexity of a unique POV, such as Tom’s. This is most evident when Tom is forced to collect dog tags from dead soldiers as a medic runs around treating the injured. This moment is perfect for throwing Tom directly into the side of the war he has been absent from, once again, showing both sides of the conflict in as horrifying a manner as possible.
The sentiment behind Dog Tag is what makes it stand out from most other war-themed media. Instead of getting caught up in the gunfire and bloodshed, Russell uses Tom’s POV to navigate the murky behind-the-scenes politics of war, as well as the everyday people who were thrown into otherworldly scenarios because of its impact.
Verdict
Dog Tag offers a perspective on war that rarely gets talked about, which, in turn, makes for a compelling read. Here, Russell is more concerned about brutal honesty and the unsung heroes rather than throwing you headfirst into the violence like most World War II media can get carried away with.
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