DMZ #56 – Review

by Brian Wood (writer), Nathan Fox (art), Jeromy Cox (colors), and Jared K. Fletcher (letters)

The Story: Wilson faces the destruction Chinatown and is faced with a hard choice.

What’s Good: Wilson has long been a favourite character of mine in Brian Wood’s DMZ, and I doubt that I’m the only one.  The character is a perfect balance of unassuming and intimidating.  Thus, the fact that this is a one-shot centered on Wilson already puts this issue in my good books.

Certainly, this is a strong outing for Wood.  The tone is brooding and heavy, while also fatigued and worn out.  There’s a constant sense of Wilson’s burden, as the story has a crushing, unrelenting sort of weight and pressure to it.  Some might say that this issue is slow-moving or ponderous, or that not enough happens, but I’m inclined to say that that’s the point.  It creates a despairing atmosphere of doom and “heavy lies the crown,” which is far more effective than a running gunfight could ever be.

The plot, centered around Wilson’s precarious position in the war’s current state, is also solid and it’s refreshing to see a one-shot like this be so in line with the series’ current continuity.  The hard choice Wilson is faced with is a great touch by Wood; it painfully defines Wilson’s position in Chinatown, not just for us, but for the character himself.  Essentially, he is forced to choose between the actual responsibilities that his leadership position entails and the pride and ego that not only arises because of that position, but are fundamental parts of it.  It’s a crushing, though elegant, conflict of doing what a leader should do versus being what a leader should be, and the extent to which these two things are the same, yet different.  Suffice it to say, the climax of this all is touching, powerful, and, as is suited for Wilson, both grandiose and resigned.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Brightest Day #7 – Brightest Day #7 was a lot of fun with a whole lot of reveal. If you’re into classic superhero stories, done right and modern, check out Brightest Day.

Most Anticipated: The Thanos Imperative #3 – Anything featuring the former champion of death makes it onto my short list pretty quickly. I’m looking forward to seeing him take apart these alternate Avengers…or be taken apart by them!

Other Top Picks: Batgirl #13, X-Men #2, Adventure Comics #517, Birds of Prey #4, Titans #26

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: SHIELD #3 – “Blah, blah, blah…..I don’t understand what is going on.  Blah. Blah. Blah.”  Sigh… This comic just showed us Galileo harvesting the life essence of his fellow SHIELD members to fight Galactus and the subsequent strickening of 10 days from history.  Very cool!

Most Anticipated: The Walking Dead #76 – It seems like this comic is coming out every few weeks recently and that is a very good thing.  Very eager to see how the survivors deal with Rick’s inevitable cracking up.

Other Top Picks: Daytripper #9, Dungeons & Dragons #0, Morning Glories #1, Invincible Iron Man #29, X-Men #2

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: SHIELD #3 – In a week of comics that actually ended up being somewhat underwhelming overall, SHIELD #3 was the best of the underachieving pack.  While there were solid reads, it was the only book to come close to “wowing” me.

Most Anticipated: Morning Glories #1 -I think I’ve just bough into Nick Spencer’s hype on this one.  The concept sounds cool, the creative team is solid, and I hope I’m not disappointed.  This looks like it could very well be the next big Image series to stand alongside the Walking Dead and Chew.

Other Picks: Birds of Prey #4, Daredevil #509, DMZ #56, Invincible Iron Man #29, Superman #702, The Unwritten #16, Zatanna #4

Joe’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Spider-Man/Fantastic Four #2 – Talk about a dark horse!  I fully expected to not even have a best of the week, but this one snuck in at the end and gave me loads of entertainment.  Gage and Alberti knocked this out of the 1980’s lovin’ park!  Mr. Fantastic joined with the Venom symbiote?  80’s era FF blue and white costumes?  She-Hulk squeezed into clothes 2 sizes too small for her?  Franklin Richards zapping stuff? Spidey, well, being Spidey?  It’s like I found a forgotten back issue from my childhood!  Awesome.

Most Anticipated: X-Force: Sex and Violence #2 – That’s right, I am soaking up all the Kyle and Yost X-Force goodness that I can before it disappears for good.  The first issue was a wild ride filled with fun and, yes, sex (well, kissing) and violence.  Here’s hoping they up the ante for this issue and things get even crazier!

Other Picks: Birds of Prey #4, Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #1, The Walking Dead #76, Daredevil #509, Incredible Hulk #611, Steve Rogers Super Soldier #2, Thanos Imperative #3, Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #1, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #13, X-Men #2, The Calling Cthulhu Chronicles #2