A landmark series by the talented Brian Wood, DMZ is the story of a near future America that has entered a second civil war. This brutal conflict is being fought out on the island of Manhattan, between the United states and the secessionist “Free States”. In an attempt to gain new information on the conflict, and perhaps to skew the news in their favor, the American run Liberty News send in a team of journalists including Photography intern, Matty Roth. After having their helicopter shot down almost immediately upon entry into the DMZ, Matty is the sole survivor, who must now tell the story of not only the DMZ but the people still living there, if only he can survive it first.
Along the way, his allegiance will be challenged, and his nerve put to the test. In a volatile and hostile environment where danger is around every corner he befriends Zee, a medical student turned war medic after fighting broke out in Manhattan. Matty Roth eventually rubs elbows with secessionist generals, warlords, thugs, and high profile politicians. He must learn not only the politics and rules of the DMZ, but how his every action can affect the national conflict taking place.
As my collection of DMZ comics grew, I became a huge fan of the cover art, each with a gritty almost propagandized look. The art prepared the reader for what was to come, always hinting at the narrative, but never losing that DMZ style. At many points in the narrative, readers get a glimpse of the street art plastered around the decaying city of New York, and each cover seems to be ripped off of those walls. This really encapsulated the feel and aesthetic of this world. Aside from panels simply feature narrative work, small infographics and guides to the city are peppered across the pages, giving further backstory to the war torn city.
Mathew Roth is a compassionate, understanding, and sometimes naive hero who is easy to root for. As the series progresses and he becomes familiar with the rules of the DMZ, the society that has effectively broken down, he becomes ruthless and cunning, to not only save himself but right his past mistakes. Other characters you will meet along the way vary from medics, to warlords, from corrupt politicians, to selfish news personalities, all the characters in this goliath of a series are vibrant and real.
The series has since been completed with a whopping 72 issues. So for any comic fan who has not yet jumped on this series, this is a great binge session in the making. I found this particularly interesting as New York native, with little bits here and there about my own neighborhood, but this epic tale is a delight to read no matter where you are from. Definitely recommended.