War is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle #3 (of 5)
Posted: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
By: Paul Brian McCoy
Garth Ennis
Howard Chaykin, Brian Reber (colors)
Marvel Comics/MAX
"3: Oh, We Haven't Got a Hope in the Morning"
I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record (that's an archaic saying that us cavemen used to use--I'm sure you can look it up online to find out what it means, children--maybe there'll be an mp3 of someone explaining it), but this book is excellent. I can understand that it might not be to some readers' tastes, but you're missing out if you haven't given this a look.
Let's see... Garth Ennis' script is funny, tragic, filled with historical detail and insight, etc., etc. Howard Chaykin is doing the best art of his career: the layouts are creative, the storytelling is clear and cinematic, the detail work is exceptional, every character, even those just in the background, has a distinct look and personality, etc., etc.
Look. I've reviewed both of the first two issues, and now the third also gets 4 Bullets. That's 4 Bullets across the board so far. Everything I said about the first issue is still true. Everything I said about the second issue is also still true. Check the review archives. The link is in that little box up there on the right.
If you're the least bit curious about this title, pick it up. I don't know what else to tell you.
How about, this issue Kauffmann's brightly painted Spad finally makes its return to duty. Kauffmann saves the patrol and scores another kill, all while battling a medical condition. Or is that just a hygiene issue? Anyway, there's more high-flying death and mayhem (as well as confusion and guilt) for your reading pleasure. A friend is lost, but he leaves his mark on Kauffmann, and also helps him learn a thing or two about life and war.
How's that? Surely that piques your interest, eh?
Look, you're not going to find a better looking, better written, better colored comic about World War One pilots, anywhere. Okay, okay. There aren't any other books out there about WWI fighter pilots, I know. But this is still the best one.
What did you think of this book?
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