Review by Ian Keogh

The battle of Teutoburg Forest was a major defeat inflicted on the Roman Army in 9AD preventing the expansion of the Romans further into what’s now Germany, and as such was a pivotal moment of European history. Fred Kennedy frames the events in the form of a love story.

Beginning with the eventual retreat, the past is then shown as Arminius declares his love for Honoria, captured as a slave for the Roman commander Varus, and Dead Romans switches viewpoint between Arminius and Honoria as events play out. The Romans are marching into areas north of the Rhine, but through a vast forest. They’re being targeted in guerilla attacks by united Teutonic tribes, which is uncharacteristic behaviour, leading to rumours that Teutons are united behind a Roman warrior. Some believe this to be Arminius, a rumour discounted by Varus, but one we’ve already been shown is true. Kennedy presents Arminius as a clever tactician

This becomes an absorbing saga of ancient warfare, but long before that’s apparent the astonishing art of Nick Marinkovich has caught the eye. Bill Siekniewicz is an obvious influence, but Marinkovich keeps the story grounded in a convincing historical reality, separating Romans and Teuton tribesmen. The dark scratchiness of the art informs the way battles are illustrated, presenting glimpsed frozen moments instead of sweeping continuity, but the shock and brutality is conveyed.

Despite being a cornerstone European graphic novel genre, historical fiction is a relative rarity for American comics and it’s hoped this fine example encourages others. Kennedy extends his personalising of the conflict further and while motivations aren’t clear at first, the fourth chapter is primarily revelations explaining much about both protagonists and setting up a finish where there’s no predicting what will happen to the protagonists. It seals Dead Romans as a fine achievement.