Hardcover Horror: Sgt. Rock VS The Army of the Dead, Reviewed

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Hey there, horror comic fanatics! The Longbox of Darkness has something spine-melting to share with you today. I recently got my hands on the hardcover collection of “DC Horror Presents Sgt Rock VS The Army of the Dead”, and it’s a wild & bloody ride from start to finish! Because I was obsessed with this series, which originally ran for 6 issues from late 2022 to early 2023, I’ve decided to share a brief review of the hardcover, since it’s all I’ve been reading lately.

First things first, let’s talk about the artwork. Damn! The illustrations by Spanish master Eduardo Risso in this collection are both haunting and incredibly detailed. Each panel is a macabre nightmare, with the dark color palette perfectly setting the chilling tone. I found myself gazing at the artwork long after I finished reading, just appreciating the sheer talent that went into it.

Now, onto the story itself, written by cult film horror icon Bruce Campbell, no less. If you’re an Evil Dead addict like me, you’re in for a treat. Picture this: Sgt Rock, the battle-hardened war hero, facing off against The Army of the Dead. Yeah, it’s as epic and terrifying as it sounds. The writing by Bruce is top-notch, seamlessly blending the gritty war elements with the supernatural horror. It’s like mashing up Saving Private Ryan with The Walking Dead, and the result is pure awesomeness.

The series also features some absolutely superlative covers by the great Gary Frank, with bonus covers by Francesco Francavilla.

Table of Contents

Background of the Limited Series

DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead” was a limited series comic book published by DC Horror. The series was announced in June 2022 and the first issue was released in September of the same year. As mentioned above, the series was written by Bruce Campbell, known for his role as Ash in the “Evil Dead” trilogy, and illustrated by comics legend Eduardo Risso.

The series brings back the character of Sgt. Rock, who first appeared in DC’s anthology comic “Our Army at War” Issue #83 in June 1959. Sgt. Rock and his unit, the Easy Company, were originally set during World War II, where they fought in the European Theatre. The character became so popular that, in 1977, the “Our Army at War” series was renamed “Sgt. Rock”, and ran under the Sgt. Rock name until 1988.

No Sgt. Rock comic was complete without the great Joe Kubert on art chores. Feast your eyes!

Roughly summarizing the plot, Sgt. Rock and Easy Company are brought back to face off against a new kind of enemy: Nazi zombies. The story is set in Berlin, 1944, during World War II. The Nazis, facing inevitable defeat, resort to a last-ditch effort to turn the tide of the war. Hitler and his team of evil scientists develop a serum that resurrects their dead soldiers, making them stronger than they were in life, and sends them back into the battlefield as zombies.

The Creators

Bruce Campbell

As most of you must know, Bruce Campbell is one of the most renowned figures in the horror genre, primarily known for his role as Ash Williams in Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” franchise, which features heavily in this comic series. His career spans acting, writing, and directing, with a start in the 1978 short film “Within the Woods” and continuing through various film and television projects. Campbell has also authored a memoir and a novel, showcasing his versatility beyond the screen. His foray into comic book writing with with this series – “DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead” – marks a new chapter in his creative endeavors, blending his horror expertise with the comic book medium. Hopefully, he’ll produce more comic book output in the future, as he clearly has a knack for it.

Eduardo Risso

Eduardo Risso is a comics legend with a reputation cemented by his award-winning work on the series “100 Bullets.” His distinctive art style has earned him both Eisner and Harvey Awards, making him one of the most respected illustrators in the industry. Risso’s collaboration with Bruce Campbell on “Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead” brings his talent for dark and atmospheric visuals to the forefront, perfectly complementing the horror-infused narrative of the series. Together, Campbell and Risso have created a unique blend of horror and war in “Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead,” which has been well-received by fans and critics alike for its action-packed storytelling and striking artwork.

Spoiler-filled Run through of the Series

Here are the synopses of each of the six issues of “DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead“:

Issue #1: Set in Berlin, 1944, the Nazis, besieged on all fronts by the Allied forces, attempt a last-ditch effort to turn the tide of the war. They create a serum that resurrects their dead soldiers, stronger than they were in life, and sends them back into the battlefield. Sgt. Frank Rock and Easy Company are dispatched into enemy territory to face off against these horrific enemies: Nazi zombies.
Issue #2: Sgt. Rock and Easy Company find themselves behind enemy lines, armed to the teeth, and ready to go up against the strangest and deadliest enemies they’ve ever encountered: zombies. The story is a simple intel mission gone wrong, where Sgt. Rock’s team discovers the true plan of the Germans.
Issue #3: Rock and Easy Company have defended themselves against Hitler’s undead goons, but now it’s time for them to go on the offensive and head behind enemy lines. The issue follows the Sarge and Easy Company on a coordinated attack to capture Hitler’s doctor.
Issue #4: Sgt. Frank Rock and Easy Company find themselves behind enemy lines, disguised as German infantry, and they’re blasting their way through a horde of zombies to get at Hitler. The issue continues Easy Company’s chase of Hitler’s doctor, Morell, over the river and through the woods in Nazi-occupied Germany.
Issue #5: After blasting their way through impossible scenarios and hordes of undead soldiers, Sgt. Rock and Easy Company find themselves hot on the trail of an enemy they may not be able to handle: an über-upgraded, rejuvenation serum-addicted Adolf Hitler.
Issue #6: Easy Company has fought their way through the undead across Berlin, but they face something far more horrifying: Sgt. Rock has fallen in battle. The issue ends with a brutal fight between Sgt. Rock and Hitler, and the epilogue teases even weirder adventures.

What I love about this collection is that it’s not your typical superhero comic. It’s a refreshing departure from the caped crusaders and their world-saving antics. Instead, we get a gritty war story spiced up with undead soldiers and a good dose of old-fashioned horror. It’s a unique twist on familiar characters, and it kept me eagerly turning the pages. One thing I can’t fail to mention is the solid character development. Sgt Rock is already an iconic figure, but the way he confronts the horrors unleashed upon him in this collection adds a whole new layer to his character. You can feel his fear, determination, and battle-hardened resolve with each turn of the page. It’s a testament to the stellar writing and the emotional depth injected into the story.

If I were to nitpick, I’d say that the ending felt a bit rushed. I was left wanting more, craving a longer and more fleshed-out conclusion. However, it didn’t detract too much from the overall enjoyment I had while reading. Ultimately, “DC Horror Presents Sgt Rock VS The Army of the Dead” (whew, it’s a mouthful) is a must-have for horror and comic book enthusiasts alike. It combines the best of both genres, delivering a thrilling and visually stellar experience. So, grab your standard-issue US Army tin mug, pour yourself a hot cup of spiked joe, and get ready for a bone-chilling adventure that’ll give you goose flesh in all the right places.

If you’ve read the series and have any thoughts, please leave them in the comments below. And remember to subscribe to the blog for extra horror content, dark troopers.

Thanks for reading!

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