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Notables 2010: Brian Wood and Nathan Fox’s Random Fire, DMZ: The Hidden War

Brian Wood and Nathan Fox, “Random Fire,” DMZ: The Hidden War, 2008.

DMZ is a very well-done post-apocalyptic series written by Brian Wood that takes place in Manhattan (the DMZ of the title) after some kind of new civil war. It’s a good series, usually starring a reporter who makes his home in the DMZ, but suffers from a problem that many adventure serials have, that it’s very hard to pick up in the middle. This volume, however, (volume 5), is made up of six self-contained stories that take place in the world of the series, but don’t feature the main characters or storylines, so don’t require (as much) context to read (and so can make a good entree to the world). All are good, but we were quite taken by the Nathan Fox-drawn story “Random Fire,” about an attack in a night club. His trademark jewel-toned, color-hold style gets a bit muddy on the uncoated paper, but it’s chaotic and pretty in a way that most adventure comics aren’t.

Age: adult (well, late teen)

What is this “Notable” thing all about? Matt and Jessica are the series editors for the Best American Comics, and are responsible for the Notable Comics list at the back of the book, which is comprised of virtually all the comics we sent to the guest editor that weren’t picked, as well as a number of others that we think are noteworthy for various reasons, but that we didn’t send to the guest editor.

We’ve always hoped readers will delve a bit into the list to find more great stories once they finish reading BAC. Realistically, though, we know that’s tough. What can you know about a story from a title and author? So this is one of a series of posts focusing on each of the Notables from the 2010 Best American Comics.

Have or know of a comic we should look at? Find submission info here.

The “age” suggestion is what we think might be the minimum age for reading and appreciating a work. All works on the list, though, should appeal to older audiences too. It’s a minimum suggestion only.


 

Comments

2 Comments to Notables 2010: Brian Wood and Nathan Fox’s Random Fire, DMZ: The Hidden War

  • by Jessica Abel

    On April 24, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    Brian Wood and Nathan Fox, your tweets didn’t go out on time, but the Notable post is up!

  • by Jessica Abel

    On April 24, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    Brian Wood and Nathan Fox, your tweets didn’t go out on time, but the Notable post is up!

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