Review by Solomon Yeoh

My War Gone By Vol. 1 achieves something that most mainstream comics don’t by levying an unapologetic polemic against empire and imperialism utilising the framework of the Cold War. Within the MAX universe, Nick Fury is a long-serving CIA agent, one that is addicted to war and ruthlessly pragmatic. Writer Garth Ennis has stated his main inspiration for the character is Frank Miller’s portrayal of Fury in Elektra: Assassin. In this first volume, Fury is sent to French-occupied Indochina and Cuba during the 1950s in two tightly plotted stories that portray the Cold War as a battleground of Realpolitik rather than one of high-minded ideological conflict. 

With Ennis on the words and Goran Parlov on the pencils, this  possesses irresistible charm, bolstered by Parlov’s stylized art, characterised by clear lines and emotional faces. Parlov’s work often lacks the subtlety of some of Ennis’ other collaborators, but in this case it is especially effective in portraying larger-than-life figures and over-the-top violence. In employing a graphic art style, Parlov succeeds in illustrating the atrocities witnessed by soldiers without delving into vulgarity. This is supported by Lee Loughridge’s vibrant colours, which present a gorgeous world marred by the proxy wars of the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Ennis is in top form, writing revealing dialogue that pierces through his characters’ facades. Almost every line is written with an objective in mind. Whether it’s to display a character’s selfishness or his insecurity, Ennis executes this with real intention and delicacy, never allowing it to become ham-fisted. The victims of imperialism are portrayed as complex and worthy of attention, divesting from the Orientalism that has been a tradition of comics past and present. 

This is a singular work of virtuoso craft strengthened by Ennis’ voracious research into military history, crafting an all too realistic work about the horrors of empire building and the maintenance of capital. It continues in Vol. 2, or there’s a hardcover combining both volumes.