Invaders: War Ghosts Review: A Phenomenal WW2 Story That Redefines The Mythology Of Namor The Sub-Mariner

World War II has inspired some of the most thought-provoking stories in popular culture, and the time period has served as a memorable backdrop in the Marvel Universe. In my opinion, the best World War II comic stories are told through the lens of the Invaders, a team made up of Captain America, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Winter Soldier and Jim Hammond, the Original Human Torch.

All four men were bonded by a sense of camaraderie and necessity that survived until the modern day. Namor’s relationship with the other Invaders is particularly interesting because they are among the few people he considers true friends. In War Ghosts, Chip Zdarsky not only redefines Namor’s dynamic with the team, he also changes the mythology of the Sub-Mariner for the better. Continue reading “Invaders: War Ghosts Review: A Phenomenal WW2 Story That Redefines The Mythology Of Namor The Sub-Mariner”

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Scrutinising The Hypocrisy Of Magneto And His Status As A Relatable Character

Magneto has earned a reputation for being one of the most complicated characters in the history of comics. As a Holocaust survivor, Max Eisenhardt’s motivations have been framed in a sympathetic light. His mission to protect mutants at any cost comes from the persecution he suffered.

There have been countless articles written about Magneto’s tragic motives. I’d like to focus on how his motivations, while noble, have made him a hypocrite. Magneto has punished and killed mutants that don’t live up to his standards. His hypocrisy is a reflection of human nature. Continue reading “Scrutinising The Hypocrisy Of Magneto And His Status As A Relatable Character”

Untold #2 Review: WW2 Era Fantasy Makes For Some Impressive World Building

World War II was one of the most brutal conflicts in history, with a lot of people still remembering the kind of trauma that it caused. Donnie Souza’s Untold series shows the nature of war through a fantasy lens, placing humans alongside elves, orcs and other magical creatures. Untold #2 picks up from the previous issue, as veteran soldier Buchanan Daniels tries to uncover who blew up his tavern. The second issue highlights themes of racism, camaraderie and bravery. Continue reading “Untold #2 Review: WW2 Era Fantasy Makes For Some Impressive World Building”

Bluebirds

When John Harris saw the swastika, his hand clenched until the knuckles turned white. He imagined some jumped-up little gobshite coming here in the dead of night, giggling while he drew this monstrosity. The sheer disrespect made his teeth grate. Salford Lads Club used to be a place of hope. Windows were now cracked or faded and the brick work was rotting. The painted roses that once hung proudly above the door were chipped away. The Dangerous Building sign completed a tarnished picture of childhood memories. A place of gymnasiums in the evening and choirs in the morning. Knitted scarves and free meals at Christmas. Eighty years of breaking his back and he’d returned to a miscreant paradise. John gripped the railings, took a breath and turned away. Continue reading “Bluebirds”

Geoff Moore Gets Candid With The Nature Of Violence And Collaboration For Son Of Hitler

For a writer, history is a playground, with one of the most popular topics being World War II. A lot of stories have focused on the atrocities that Hitler and the Nazis committed. Being original in an oversaturated market is tough, but Anthony Del Col and Geoff Moore were able to accomplish that with Son Of Hitler. The graphic novel contains a variety of twists and turns that shape the outcome of World War II.

Being a fan of the story, I wanted to get Geoff’s thoughts on the writing process behind Son Of Hitler. In this informative interview, Geoff goes into detail about the kind of research that was involved and the importance of collaborating with such a big project. Continue reading “Geoff Moore Gets Candid With The Nature Of Violence And Collaboration For Son Of Hitler”

What Makes Captain America The Heart Of The Avengers?

The Avengers are one of the most important superhero teams in the world, with each member fulfilling a specific purpose. Thor provides the strength, Iron Man provides financial backing and scientific expertise. Yet the team wouldn’t be the same without Captain America. Some people might consider the character bland compared to other superheroes, but in my opinion Steve Rogers represents more than having a cool set of powers. The Comic Vault is examining what Captain America represents and how he can be an inspiration to the people around him.

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Untold #1 Review: An Intriguing Blend Of WW2 History And Fantasy

What I enjoy about independent comics is the amount of freedom writers have to explore different genres or bring them together. History and fantasy are two of my favourite subjects, so any story that combines them gives me something to invest in. It’s why I was interested in reading Donnie Souza’s Untold #1, which is set in a World War 2 era world where humans, elves and other fantastical creatures are fighting side by side. Untold deals with themes of patriotism, post-traumatic stress disorder, racism and what it means to come home after a long time fighting. Souza sent a copy of Untold #1 to The Comic Vault in exchange for an honest review.

Continue reading “Untold #1 Review: An Intriguing Blend Of WW2 History And Fantasy”

The Book Thief Review

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak can mean a lot of things to different people. To some it could  be the tale of a girl with an insatiable hunger for books. For others it could be a vivid commentary on the Nazi regime from an insular point of view. It could even be a metaphor for how life is fleeting and death is the one constant uniting all of humanity. Whatever interpretation may be drawn there is a assumption that the reader comes away with a clear message. That is one of many reasons why The Book Thief is one of the most scintillating novels I’ve read in recent memory. Continue reading “The Book Thief Review”

Toy Soldiers

The ceiling rumbles, weary with the weight of desperate men. Their hatred is powerful, focused with such ferocity I wonder if it alone will be enough to tear through the roof of the bunker. They serve a Meshugener’s dream. This war has taught me it’s become harder to separate the mad from the wise. I should be terrified, but how much death can be faced before even the scent of burnt carcasses leaves behind nothing but jadedness? All the terror I’ve left to spare is for my people, huddling in the bunker, relying on me to see them through until the morning. But we will find freedom, we’ll never surrender to the likes of men who would turn us into animals.

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Men Of Valour

The crowd was large, but it didn’t stop me getting to the front. (The thing I’ve noticed about this generation is your obligation to step aside for anyone who looks over the age of 60. We’re not all three steps away from a heart-attack I’m pleased to inform you) I shuffled in between a young lady with spiky blonde hair and a man holding a little girl high on his shoulders.

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