It’s not surprising that “Machete Squad,” a graphic novel about Brent Dulak’s experiences as an Army combat medic in Afghanistan, would be intense. The book does have scenes that depict combat and the bloody chaos of an aid station. But just as brutal are a few pages at the beginning — the ones that show… Read more
Historical dramas with top female leads. Garth Ennis and Russ Braun, The Night Witches. Dead Reckoning, March 2019. The women who flew Soviet biplanes in extremely risky missions against the Nazis are already a historic legend, but this graphic novel approaches that history from a new angle. First, it depicts the life of a single… Read more
Machete Squad is the nonfiction account of SGT Brenton Dulak’s experiences as an Army medic in Afghanistan. The name of the graphic novel should tell enough about what kind of story lies within: though surgery is often synonymous with precision, “machete medicine” is the most that can be expected in a trauma tent in Afghanistan…. Read more
The ‘Stan, written by Kevin Knodell and David Axe, and illustrated by Blue Delliquanti, is the graphic novel equivalent of a linked essay collection. It contains 17 short essays in comic form sprung from a handful of experiences surrounding the war in Afghanistan. It is noticeably accessible, even for me, a reader with not much… Read more
A collection of the best stories from the classic run of Don Winslow of the Navy, one of the most popular comic books running during and after World War II. Edited by Craig Yoe, the selected stories are digitally remastered and contextualized with Yoe’s historical research. As a historical document, The Best of Don Winslow… Read more
Did you know that graphic novels are not just for kids? Just because you’ve passed the age of 10 doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy books with illustrations. Well, get ready, because a new collection of adult graphic novels will be available for your perusal by the time you read this. For history/military buffs: “The ‘Stan”… Read more
It turns out the Naval Institute, a non-profit that works in support of the U.S. Navy, has a publishing arm and, in partnership with comics archivist Craig Yoe, released this spiffy compilation of “Don Winslow of the Navy” comic book stories. I’d seen the name before, but Winslow wasn’t a character I was familiar with…. Read more
It’s a new year, so that must mean that it’s time for the annual Happy New Yoe show! On this, The Comics Alternative‘s very first episode of 2019, Derek talks with Craig Yoe about what he’s been up to lately. They spend much of the time talking about the year in review for Yoe Books. And… Read more
Those who know Ennis (Preacher) as a creator of off-the-wall, black-humored, and hilariously obscene twists on the usual superhero or SF tropes may be surprised to see his more serious side on display in these three tales of WWII, based upon true events, in which Soviet airfighter Anna Borisnova Kharkova faces off against German enemies,… Read more
A collection of the best stories from the classic run of Don Winslow of the Navy, one of the most popular comic books running during and after World War II. Edited by Craig Yoe, the selected stories are digitally remastered and contextualized with Yoe’s historical research. Preceding the full, colorful tales is a detailed introduction… Read more