Two of the comic industry’s top comic creators team-up for a bleak look at the consequences of nuclear war in The War. When the unthinkable becomes reality, a group of friends in New York City must confront their worst fears – the outbreak of nuclear war. As society collapses around them, each must choose a different plan for survival at the end of the world. But with the fallout of nuclear destruction unfolding in real time, survival may be the most terrifying fate of all.
For the past three decades, Garth Ennis has remained one of the biggest writers in comics. His work on series such as Preacher, The Punisher and The Boys has cemented him as one of the modern greats. Likewise, Becky Cloonan has built up a strong reputation over the years as both an artist and a writer on series such as The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, Gotham Academy and the recent Eisner winning series Somna. The War is their first series together and was originally featured in Boom’s horror anthology series Hello Darkness.
Ennis has been known to have a rather outrageous approach to his writing, with The Boys and his early Punisher work in particular pushing the envelope in terms of violence and dark content. He is more than capable though of taking on a more reserved style which plays into his often nihilistic and cynical themes. The War exemplifies Ennis’ brutally frank mindset when it comes to depicting serious/tragic events which in a post pandemic world feels very timely. The characters are some of his most real and he steers away from the more outlandish flourishes you’d find in his most popular works. Every angle you can imagine is examined with the characters debating what is the right course of action and what could’ve been done differently.
Cloonan is as strong as ever on the art front. Whilst she is best known for works that fall more into the fantasy/horror genres, she has always excelled at character work and her art brings a lot of the human struggles that come with such a catastrophe to the front. For a story that is heavily character driven, it is integral to have an artist who can successfully convey a range of emotions through their work and Cloonan passes with flying colours. The level of anxiety she can convey brings the series up to another level.
Ennis and Cloonan are a perfect team and have created a bleak yet memorable exploration of the consequences of nuclear war. Fans of both creators will find plenty to enjoy.
The War is out 24 February from Boom! Studios (9798892157322, p/b, £16.99)
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