Review by Solomon Yeoh

This book from the Fantagraphics’ EC Comics Artists Library line collects artist Jack Davis’ war stories from the titles Frontline Combat and Two-Fisted Tales, produced in the 1950s. Most are written by Harvey Kurtzman with writing contributions also coming from Davis himself, Al Feldstein, Jerry De Fuccio and Colin Dawkins. 

The theme to this collection is infantrymen and their experiences whilst fighting in the Korean War. The comics are informed by Davis’ own involvement with the military and it shows as the level of detail in many of his illustrations is phenomenal and packs a formidable punch. Davis’ clean line combined with his dark inks and scratchy cross-hatching vividly depict the clutter of wartime. His faces are expressive to the point of caricature and yet it all amalgamates to create some of the finest work to come out of the genre. An excellent example of this is ‘Mud!’ wherein Davis’ inks and shading create a grimy experience complete with utter desperation conveyed through his astounding faces. 

The writing avoids the pitfalls of many comics from its time, remaining sharp and expressive throughout. At its core, many of these stories shed a sympathetic light upon men who would otherwise be statistics, with each character showing a penchant for peculiarly human mannerisms, portrayed accurately by Davis. This collection also includes generous extras including expansive biographies of the creators and the EC Comics company as well as a comprehensive introduction that details the making of the comics. 

The influence of these comics are still found today including the much lauded work of Frank Miller and Garth Ennis, while the black and white format enhances its raw effect and displays the stark reality of warfare. It is a thing to be celebrated when comics of the 1950s stand the test of time and remain evergreen, challenging perceptions in the 21st century.