Lost Soldiers #1 / Z-View
Lost Soldiers #1 is part of a five-issue mini-series published by Image Comics.
- Writer: Alex Kot
- Artist: Lucas Casalanguida
- Colorist: Heather Marie Lawrence Moore
- Letterer: Aditya Sidikar
- Cover Artist: Lucas Casalanguida
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
Vietnam, 1969. Juarez, forty years later. Three men tied by the war they left behind—on collision course with a new one.
Lost Soldiers isn’t your typical war comic. It’s more Sicario than Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, more Platoon than Our Army At War. Issue 1 lays the groundwork for the series, alternating between flashbacks of three young soldiers who first met in the jungles of Viet Nam and are now older career vets prepping for a mission into Juarez against a highly armed and motivated cartel.
When talking about Lost Soldiers, Alex Kot said, “The world needs bad men willing to do bad things so the world can stay good. Lost Soldiers is what happens when you buy into that idea so much that it becomes a curse… it is unflinching about the consequences of our actions. It spells them out in blood and pain and loss. And maybe, if you’re lucky, a sliver of hope.” Kot in this first issue bridged the 40 year gap between Nam and now by choosing scenes that move the story forward and give insight into his characters.
Lucas Casalanguida’s art adds to the gravitas of the story. Like the best comic artists Casalanguida hits the right blend of realism and exaggeration. I love his bold art in this issue. Check out that splash on page 12.
Heather Marie Lawrence Moore’s color choices enhance the mood of the story. I applaud her choices. She’s not afraid to back off color, use one bright color on a muted page or let her hues run like a watercolor. Awesome.
Lost Soldiers #1 is a winner.
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